Described herein are methods and apparatuses for the application of transdermal electrical stimulation (TES) in order to modulate a user's cognitive state to induce a state of calm or relaxation. The apparatuses described herein include neck-worn devices having electrodes (or configured to connect to electrodes, including automatically self-connecting to electrodes) adapted to couple to the midline of the back of user's neck. A neck-worn controller may be configured as a cord, band, wire, torc, necklace, loop, strap, or the like, and may be rigid or semi-rigid and may be worn at least partially around the subject's neck. The controller may controllably apply one or more waveforms to the electrodes of the electrode pad (e.g., patch) to deliver TES adapted to induce or enhance a relaxed cognitive state.