Helen Coons, PhD, ABPP
Clinical Health Psychologist, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Highlights
- Provides engaging presentations on diverse psychology topics using her longstanding professional work, personal breast cancer experience, and motivational style.
- President and clinical director for Health Psychology Solutions in Denver and Boulder, Colorado.
Connect with Dr. Coons
Helen L. Coons, PhD, ABPP is a board-certified clinical health psychologist who has worked with women with cancer, oncology health care teams and the cancer advocacy community for over 25 years. She routinely provides care to women across the life span with early and advanced breast, gynecologic and other cancer diagnoses as well as women at “high risk” for cancer and their caregivers.
Dr. Coons brings her longstanding professional work with women with cancer, her personal journey with breast cancer, and her motivational style to her engaging presentations. She is a dynamic speaker known for her interactive presentations to diverse local, national, and international audiences of healthcare providers and women with cancer.
A highly experienced content expert on psychosocial oncology for print and online media, Dr. Coons also consults on psychosocial oncology care and patient resources as a member of LBBC’s Medical Advisory Board, and served on the advisory committee for an advanced breast cancer survey for Novartis’ oncology division as well as the Institute of Medicine panel on services needs for women with breast cancer. Dr. Coons is the president and clinical director of Health Psychology Solutions, in Denver and Boulder, Colorado, and is a faculty member in the department of psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Many women confuse self-care with being selfish – that somehow taking care of ourselves is self-involvement or a selfish act instead of a self-respectful act. When women take care of themselves in all aspects of their lives, they actually have more energy, more reserve, and depth to take care of others at home, at work, and in their community.
Experience & Accolades
Expertise
- Psychiatry
Education
- Temple University
- Doctor of Philosophy, Clinical Psychology, 1990
- University of Wisconsin
- Master of Science, Psychology, 1985
- Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, 1980
Experience
- University of Colorado School of Medicine
- Clinical Director, Women’s Behavioral Health and Wellness Service Line, 2019-Present
- Professor, Department of Psychiatry, 2017-Present
- Health Psychology Solutions
- President and Clinical Director, 2016-Present
- Women’s Mental Health Associates
- President and Clinical Director, 2000-2014
- Health Federation of Philadelphia
- Director of Evaluation and Program Manager, 1994-2000
Awards and Distinctions
- American Psychological Association Division of Psychologists in Independent Practice, Psychologist of the Year Award
- American Psychological Association Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology Executive Committee Honor as Founding Chair
- American Psychological Association Committee on Women in Psychology Distinguished Contributions for Women in Psychology Award to the Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology Executive Committee
- Temple University League of Entrepreneurial Women Hall of Fame
- American Psychological Association Presidential Citation
- Pennsylvania Psychological Association, Psychology in the Media Award
- American Psychological Foundation and Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association Timothy B. Jeffrey Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Clinical Health Psychology
- American Psychological Association Committee on Women in Psychology 2001 Emerging Leader for Women in Psychology Award
Professional Memberships and Board Positions
Publications
- Sexual health after a breast cancer diagnosis in young women: clinical implications for patients and providers. Marsh S, Borges VF, Coons HL, et al.
- Technological and medical advances: implications for health psychology. Saab PG, McCalla JR, Coons HL, et al.
- Nonbiologic factors that impact management in women with urinary incontinence: review of the literature and findings from a National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases workshop. Norton JM, Dodson JL, Newman DK, et al.
In the Media
