Dr. Jameca Woody Cooper.

About Dr. Woody Cooper.

Dr. Jameca Woody Cooper is the 2025 Community Mental Health Provider Awardee. Through her private practice, Emergence Psychological Services, she has assisted St. Louis residents on their paths to mental wellness for nearly two decades.

As a board-certified Counseling Psychologist, she holds the position of president at the Missouri Psychological Association and is a board member of The Ethics Project. Additionally, she has contributed to the boards of the Hearing and Speech Center and the Advisory Board of CareSTL. Her leadership has revitalized member engagement and boosted community outreach initiatives.

Dr. Woody Cooper has also served as the past president of the Association of Black Psychologists (St. Louis Chapter) and as President of the Tougaloo College Alumni Association (St. Louis Chapter).

Dr. Woody Cooper, honored as a trailblazer, received the “Salute to Excellence in Healthcare” and the Phenomenal Woman award from First Bank and 95.5 The Lou in 2018, recognizing her remarkable contributions to society. She was nominated for the 2023 RISE Health Care Hero Award and remains dedicated to initiatives that address the social determinants of health and uplift marginalized communities.

Dr. Woody Cooper is not only a Fulbright Scholar and TEDx speaker but a powerful force for change in the field of mental health. With her extensive expertise that transcends the therapy room, she is a passionate advocate for African American mental health. Her voice resonates across national media platforms, as she has contributed to prominent publications like The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, NBC, ABC News, WebMD, and USA Today, where she shares profound insights on race, urban mental health, and the transformative power of community intervention.

In addition to her advocacy efforts, Dr. Woody Cooper excels as a consultant in criminal psychology and as an expert witness. She contributes her insights to captivating crime documentaries, including “The Amazon Review Killer” and Discovery Channel’s “Caught!” Whether in the therapy room or courtroom, she is committed to sharing her unique viewpoint and inspiring crucial discussions surrounding mental health.

In the words of the nominator.

“Dr. Woody Cooper consistently centers the voices and experiences of the Black community, whether in leadership roles at the local or state level, working with local or national media, or in clinical, academic, or criminal psychology. As the President of the Missouri Psychological Association, her advocacy and community education initiatives aim to reduce stigma and empower individuals to seek help, thereby fostering a culture of acceptance and resilience.”