Benson George Cooke

Dr. Benson G. Cooke received his B.A. degree from Morehouse College, and his M.S. and Ed.D. Degrees from The University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He currently serves as a Professor of Counseling and Psychology, and formerly served as the (2011-2014) Chair of the Department of Psychology, Counseling and Human Development at The University of the District of Columbia in Washington, DC. Prior to his employment with UDC in 2006, Dr. Cooke has served in teaching and leadership positions at George Mason University, Xavier University of Louisiana, and The University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Additionally, he has held administrative and clinical positions within mental health treatment agencies since completing his graduate education. From 2009-2011 Dr. Cooke served as the National President for The Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi). During his tenure in positions as national treasurer and later as national president, he effected improvement of the association’s fiscal growth by strengthening the accounting systems, and the executive and organizational management, thereby enhancing and sustaining ABPsi’s operational infrastructure. Dr. Cooke is the recipient of numerous national community-service, educational/faculty excellence, scholarship and professional service awards. Among these honors Dr. Cooke received the 2016 ABPsi Distinguished Psychologist Award for his career contributions to the discipline, literature and practice of psychology that has supported culturally salient mental health treatment for the African American community. Dr. Cooke is also a Fellow and Diplomate in African Centered/Black Psychology from The Association of Black Psychologists. Dr. Cooke has been invited to present at professional presentations in conventions, conferences, symposiums, workshops, professional institutes, colleges, and universities. He has also been interviewed on local, regional, and national radio and TV programs across the U.S. He is the author of two books titled: Personal Empowerment for People of Color: Keys to Success in Higher Education, published in June 2001 by Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company andAll About Depression published in August of 2013 also by Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. He is also the co-author of book chapters, journal articles, magazine articles and on-line educational material. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Dr. Cooke spearheaded with the support of fellow ABPsi colleagues the first ever national guidelines to provide culturally competent therapeutic interventions for first responders taking action in response to disaster relief for citizens residing in New Orleans, Louisiana and the Gulf Region. He was invited to present these therapeutic intervention strategies to American Psychological Association and the American Red Cross. Dr. Cooke’s current research focuses on the development of generational treatment for depression and anxiety disorders across the lifespan in African Americans by incorporating practice-based cultural treatment approaches linked with evidence based epigenomic considerations. Dr. Cooke also continues to consult nationally on psychological issues impacting the African American community.

Publications

Socio-Economic and Education Factors Impacting American Political Systems: Emerging Research and Opportunities
Socio-Economic and Education Factors Impacting American Political Systems: Emerging Research and Opportunities
Pamela Hampton-Garland, Lisa Sechrest-Ehrhardt, Benson George Cooke. © 2018. 191 pages.
America has the reputation of being one of the wealthiest and most powerful countries in the world, yet within its borders social problems persist and negatively impact...