Dr. Benson G. Cooke, a distinguished professor and nationally recognized expert in culturally competent mental health treatment, specializes in the intersection of transgenerational trauma, epigenomics, and African-centered wellness, while leading innovative initiatives in counseling education and promoting systemic change within the Black/African American community.
Experience
Education
Doctor of Education in Mental Health Administration & Counseling Psychology, University of Massachusetts Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, University of Massachusetts Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Morehouse College
Roles
Distinguished Professor of Counseling and Psychology, UDC, 2024-Present Coordinator of the UDC and UCR Pathways to Psychological Science Program, UDC, 2022-25
Courses Taught
Advanced Psychopathology and Therapeutic Techniques Addiction Disorders Affective/Mood Disorders Counseling Philosophies Diagnosis and Treatment Planning Diversity Issues & Multicultural Counseling Drug Abuse Prevention/Treatment Ethics, Legal, and Legislative Issues Group Counseling Marriage and Family Counseling Mood Disorders, Diagnosis and Treatment StrategiesPracticum and Field Experience Counseling Prevention and Mental Health Treatment Psychopathology Research I Special Topics: Mental Health Administration Systems of Psychotherapy Techniques of Counseling Theories of Counseling Theories of Personality Thesis/Thesis Project
Expertise
ABPsi Distinguished Psychologist
Research Focus / Works in Progress
Culturally relevant mental health treatment for the Black/African American community; culturally competent therapeutic responses for disaster relief; the impact of epigenomics in understanding transgenerational trauma and healing within the Black/African American community
Leadership
National Historian and Board of Directors Member, Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi), 2016-Present National President, ABPsi, 2009-11 National President-Elect, ABPsi, 2007-09 National Treasurer, ABPsi, 2003-07 Associate Editor, The Psych Discourse, 2010-11
Impact
Selected Publications
Cooke, B.G., & Webb, S.C. (2025). Epigenomic awareness as a key to Black mental health: Disruptive effects of not knowing. Universal Write Publications. [Manuscript submitted for publication]
Cooke, B.G., & Webb, S.C., Coleman, S.T., Bell, K.A., & Wright, J.C. (2025). The impact of generalized anxiety disorders on African Americans across the lifespan: cultural considerations for sustaining a healthy lifestyle. [Manuscript submitted for publication]
Cooke, B.G., Webb, S.C., Bell, K.A., Mbilishaka, A., LeVere, M., Talley, W.B., & Mizelle, N.(2019). All about depression: Issues, treatment and resources, 2nd Edition. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
Webb, S.C., Cooke, B.G., Nichols, E.J., Talley, W.B., & Henderson, R. (2019). Selected aspects of mentoring: Advice, challenges and approaches. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
Cooke-Jackson, A., Cooke, B.G., & Ben, C. (2023). On being black and indigenous in America: Addressing race and health disparities and the impact of historical generational oppression. In B.M., Calafell, & S. Eguchi, (Eds.), The routledge handbook of ethnicity and race in communication (1st ed.).Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780367748586
Cooke, B.G., Nichols, E.J., Webb, S.C., Jones, S.J. & Williams, N.N. (2022). Making black lives matter: Confronting anti-black racism. In K. Cokley (Ed.), Historical overview of the black struggle: Factors affecting African American activism. Cognella Academic Publishing.
Selected Presentations
Cooke, B.G. (2023). The transhistorical and transgenerational impact of racial trauma epigenomically and psychologically. International Round Table Symposium: Educational Issues and Trends, Oxford, England.
Cooke, B.G. (2021). The transhistorical and transgenerational impact of oppression, trauma, and depression epigenomically and neuropsychologically. Nubia Wellness and Healing Presents: Master Class Series Presented by Distinguished Psychologists in African Psychology, Virtual.
Cooke, B.G. (2021). African centered depression interventions in a COVID-19 world.Nubia Wellness and Healing Presents: Master Class Series Presented by Distinguished Psychologists in African Psychology, Virtual.
Cooke, B.G. (2023). Diversity, equity, and inclusion impacts in higher education across the nation. National Council of Faculty Senates, New York, New York.
Selected Grants
U.S. Department of Education. (2013; 2014). Rehabilitation capacity building at the University of the District of Columbia.
National Science Foundation. (2017). The efficacy of African-centered community/clinical practice-based evidence treatments designed to promote healing for African American’s suffering from depressive and anxiety associated symptoms specifically inflicted by cultural oppression and institutional/systemic/individual racism.
National Science Foundation. (2016). Examining the impact factor of practice-based evidence informing the evidence-based practice of culturally responsive generataional treatment of major depressive disorder: Understanding the role of epigenomics in elevating Ubuntu and developing African-centered wellness.
University of the District of Columbia. (2014). Examining the impact of health factors, social experience factors, and critical periods of development factors in the generational management for depressive symptoms: A meta-analysis.
Recognitions
Dr. Marjorie Holloman Parker Distinguished Educator’s Award, UDC, 2022 Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching, UDC, 2020 George Mason University Black Alumni Chapter Honorary Membership, George Mason University, 2019 Service Award, The Association of Black Psychologists, 2019 Distinguished Psychologist, The Association of Black Psychologists, 2016 PSI CHI National Honor Society in Psychology Golden Key National Honor Society Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges
Invited Participations
Cooke, B. (2025). Culturally competent healing strategies within the Black/African American community that empower human transformation. Center for Cultural-Centered Approach to Research & Evaluation, Auckland, New Zealand.
Cooke, B. (2023). The psychological harms caused by confederate monuments. Harms Reduction Symposium, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Cooke, B. (2024). Transforming the light of our epigenomic adaptations into a life of African healing and restoration. 55th International Convention of the Association of Black Psychologists, Phoenix, Arizona.
