About Dr. Coons
Helen L. Coons, Ph.D., ABPP has dedicated her career to improving the health and well-being of women and families. A national leader in women’s health and mental health, Dr. Coons is well known for her leadership skills, innovative program development, consultation to medical and psychology practices and health systems, professional and community speaking, health provider education, and tireless advocacy for services and policies to support and improve the wellbeing of women and families across communities.
Dr. Coons is the President and Clinical Director of Women’s Mental Health Associates and Health Psychology Solutions, Denver, Colorado. Previously, Dr. Coons was a Professor of Clinical Practice, Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine (CUSOM) where she served as inaugural Clinical Director, Women’s Behavioral Health and Wellness Service Line (2019-2023), the Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Women’s Sexual Health Consultation Service, a Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Department of Psychiatry integrated service (2019-2022), and the Director of Psychology, Adult Division, Department of Psychiatry (2020-2023). Dr. Coons received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Temple University after interning in Medical Psychology, Duke University Medical Center. She also completed a DHHS Primary Health Care Policy Fellowship.
Dr. Coons is a licensed psychologist in both Colorado and Pennsylvania and is approved (APIT) to practice interjurisdictional (across states) telepsychology. She is a board-certified clinical health psychologist known for her clinical work and integrated services in women’s health settings including women’s primary care, primary and specialty obstetrics and gynecology, urogynecology, and oncology. For over three decades, she has worked with women and couples across communities facing POI, PCOS, recurrent pregnancy loss, fertility and family building decisions, the use of donor sperm and/or eggs, donor conceived concerns, perinatal/maternal mental health conditions, breast and gyn cancers and other chronic and life-threatening physical conditions, menopause, sleep issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, sexual health challenges, loss, work-related challenges and life transitions. She specializes in trauma-informed care, and collaborates with individuals, couples and families through evidenced supported, integrative and personalized approaches which prioritize wellness, resilience and quality of life.
Dr. Coons is also a national leader in psychology, health psychology, and women’s health and mental health. She works tirelessly to advance resources, programs and policies aimed at improving the status of women and families as well as marginalized populations and communities. Dr. Coons has served on countless national interprofessional advisory groups on maternal mental health, women’s health and psychosocial oncology. She is also widely known as a dynamic keynote speaker for professional, corporate and community audiences, and serves as an expert source for media writers. A fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA), Dr. Coons has served on the APA Board of Directors, the APA/APASI Finance Committee, the APA Council of Representatives, was a past president of the Society for Health Psychology/APA Division of Health Psychology, and was the founding chair of APA’s Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology, among other leadership roles. Her work has been recognized through several distinguished awards for her enduring contributions in women’s health and leadership development for women in psychology.