Joan M. Cook, PhD
Albert E. Kent Professor of PsychiatryDownloadHi-Res Photo
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Psychiatry
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Psychiatry
Department of Psychiatry, 300 George Street
New Haven, CT 06511
United States
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Titles
Albert E. Kent Professor of Psychiatry
Biography
Dr. Joan Cook is a Professor in the Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. She has over 150 peer-reviewed publications in the areas of traumatic stress, geriatric mental health and implementation science. Dr. Cook has worked clinically with a range of trauma survivors, including combat veterans and former prisoners of war, men and women who have been physically and sexually assaulted in childhood and adulthood, and survivors of the 2001 former World Trade Center bombing. She has served as the principal investigator on eight federal grants from the National Institute of Mental Health, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. She was a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) Guideline Development Panel for PTSD and the 2016 President of APA’s Division of Trauma Psychology. Since October 2015, she has published over 100 op-eds in places like CNN, TIME, Newsweek, The Hill and NBC.
Last Updated on April 11, 2024.
Appointments
Education & Training
- PhD
- Nova Southeastern University (1999)
- MS
- Nova Southeastern University (1995)
Research
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Overview
Medical Research Interests
Geriatrics; Health Plan Implementation; Information Dissemination; Mental Health; Multiple Trauma; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
ORCID
0000-0001-7509-9760
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of Joan M. Cook's published research.
Publications Timeline
A big-picture view of Joan M. Cook's research output by year.
Research Interests
Research topics Joan M. Cook is interested in exploring.
Ilan Harpaz-Rotem, PhD, ABPP
Robert Pietrzak, PhD, MPH
Chyrell Bellamy, MSW, PhD
Jack Tsai
Sarah Meshberg-Cohen, PhD
Steve Martino, PhD
145Publications
5,317Citations
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Information Dissemination
Health Plan Implementation
Mental Health
Publications
2025
How Masculinity and Treatment Impact Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Recovery in Sexual Minority Men With Sexual Trauma: Findings From a Randomized Clinical Trial
Nomamiukor F, Collazo E, Harper K, Neilson E, Ellis A, Simiola V, Cook J, Livingston N. How Masculinity and Treatment Impact Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Recovery in Sexual Minority Men With Sexual Trauma: Findings From a Randomized Clinical Trial. Psychology Of Sexual Orientation And Gender Diversity 2025 PMID: 41641008, PMCID: PMC12867092, DOI: 10.1037/sgd0000894.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderSexual minority menMotivational interviewingPosttraumatic stress disorder symptom reductionsPosttraumatic stress disorder symptomsMinority menPTSD recoveryPosttraumatic stress disorder outcomesRisk of posttraumatic stress disorderRelevant treatment targetsSexual trauma exposureSexual orientationPTSD symptomsStress disorderTrauma exposureSymptom reductionTrauma processingStructural equation modelingEmotional controlSexual traumaMasculinity scoresMasculine normsSexual violenceDisorder recoveryHeightened riskRevised Trauma Competencies for Education and Training: Consensus Updates and Highlights
Cook J, Newman E, Group T. Revised Trauma Competencies for Education and Training: Consensus Updates and Highlights. Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice And Policy 2025 PMID: 41213582, DOI: 10.1037/tra0002069.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTrauma-focusedEvidence-based psychosocial treatmentsTrauma-related disordersPsychosocial treatmentsMental health workforceTraumatic stressPsychosocial interventionsTrauma competenciesPsychosocial assessmentComprehensive modelFunctional competenceCross-cutting competenciesCompetencePsychologistsAPADisordersTrainingHealth workforceInterventionConsensus updateComparing probable subthreshold and full PTSD prevalence in older versus younger veterans
Larsen S, Chavin R, Flores J, Muñoz E, Prabhu H, Smith H, Spalding R, Fischer I, Cook J, Pietrzak R. Comparing probable subthreshold and full PTSD prevalence in older versus younger veterans. Journal Of Affective Disorders 2025, 394: 120549. PMID: 41138950, DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.120549.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsPrevalence of posttraumatic stress disorderSample of U.S. military veteransPTSD ChecklistOlder adultsPTSD diagnosisPrevalence of PTSDPosttraumatic stress disorderPTSD prevalenceU.S. military veteransClinically significant symptomsDSM-5Stress disorderPsychiatric comorbiditiesMilitary veteransYounger veteransFunctional impairmentYoung adultsAge groupsVeteransImpairmentSignificant symptomsDistressAdultsSymptomsYounger cohortsEffectiveness of treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder for older people: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Gómez-Bautista D, Lye V, Zabihi S, Beenakker M, Günak M, Roche M, Sobczak S, Cook J, Cations M, Olff M, Orgeta V. Effectiveness of treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder for older people: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal Of Affective Disorders 2025, 394: 120433. PMID: 41106640, DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.120433.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsPost-traumatic stress disorderSymptoms of depressionOlder peoplePsychological treatmentStress disorderEffects of pharmacological interventionsRandomized Controlled TrialsEffectiveness of narrative exposure therapySymptoms of post-traumatic stress disorderNarrative Exposure TherapyCognitive behavioral therapyEffects of treatmentLife review therapyPharmacological interventionsQuality of evidenceCertainty of evidenceExposure therapyBehavioral therapyCollaborative carePhysical activityMeta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsOlder adultsSystematic reviewInclusion criteriaMeta-analysesPosttraumatic Stress Symptoms, Functioning, and Suicidal Ideation in Older U.S. Veterans: A Network Analysis
Pietrzak R, Fischer I, Na P, Cook J, Spiller T. Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, Functioning, and Suicidal Ideation in Older U.S. Veterans: A Network Analysis. American Journal Of Geriatric Psychiatry 2025, 34: 106-112. PMID: 41111050, DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2025.09.018.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderSubthreshold posttraumatic stress disorderPosttraumatic stress disorder symptomsSuicidal ideationFunctional difficultiesNational Health and ResiliencePosttraumatic stress symptomsOlder U.S. veteransU.S. military veteransAssociated with functional difficultiesAnhedonic symptomsSymptom centralityPTSD symptomsPhysiological reactivityStress disorderVeterans StudySuicide riskStress symptomsMilitary veteransNegative beliefsU.S. veteransOlder veteransVeteransDual-focus approachIdeationMental, Physical, and Social Mediators of the Relationship Between Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Functional Impairment in U.S. Military Veterans
Meshberg-Cohen S, Ingram P, Cook J, Fischer I, Pietrzak R. Mental, Physical, and Social Mediators of the Relationship Between Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Functional Impairment in U.S. Military Veterans. Psychiatry 2025, 88: 395-408. PMID: 40768645, DOI: 10.1080/00332747.2025.2528524.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsMild traumatic brain injuryU.S. military veteransMilitary veteransTraumatic brain injurySomatic symptomsCognitive functionSample of U.S. military veteransSymptoms of major depressionNational Health and ResilienceScreening statusPosttraumatic stress disorderFunctional impairmentBrain injuryMajor depressionStress disorderGeneralized anxietyPsychiatric symptomsVeterans StudyPsychosocial functioningMulti-modal interventionMental functioningPsychosocial difficultiesVeteransPhysical functionInjury screeningFeasibility, Acceptability, and Outcomes: A Pilot Trial of the Enhancing Social Function in Older Veterans With PTSD (ESVP) Group Intervention
Kaiser A, Ream M, Spiro A, Sloan D, Cook J, Vogt D, Moye J. Feasibility, Acceptability, and Outcomes: A Pilot Trial of the Enhancing Social Function in Older Veterans With PTSD (ESVP) Group Intervention. Psychological Services 2025 PMID: 40569724, PMCID: PMC12354222, DOI: 10.1037/ser0000962.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderOlder veteransSocial functioningAssociated with negative health outcomesParticipation ratesGroup-based interventionSymptoms of posttraumatic stress disorderPilot Randomized TrialNegative health outcomesSupport group conditionMilitary-related traumaU.S. military veteransPoor social functioningAnger management skillsHealth outcomesGroup interventionPremature mortalityStress disorderMilitary veteransPsychosocial functioningFamily functioningVeteransGroup conditionRandomized trialsManagement skillsPost-traumatic stress disorder in older adults: a global collaboration on setting the future research agenda
Sobczak S, Orgeta V, Beenakker M, Boks M, Boltri M, Cations M, Coeur E, Cook J, Corveleyn X, Dorame A, van Dijk G, Forresi B, Fréel S, Gómez-Bautista D, Günak M, Havermans D, Hopwood M, Jiaqing O, Lawrence K, Lee L, Maercker A, Marsman A, Olivé I, Quaedflieg C, Ruisch J, Thorp S, Woudsma J, Zabihi S, Olff M, Stress G. Post-traumatic stress disorder in older adults: a global collaboration on setting the future research agenda. The Lancet Healthy Longevity 2025, 6: 100720. PMID: 40550237, PMCID: PMC12673637, DOI: 10.1016/j.lanhl.2025.100720.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsPost-traumatic stress disorderStress disorderTrauma survivorsOlder trauma survivorsTraumatic stressDiagnostic instrumentsNeurocognitive disordersSocial care systemsMiddle-income countriesOlder adultsEvidence-based knowledgeDisordersHigh-quality researchEngagement of peopleCare systemClinical domainsLow-incomePublic healthTask ForceResearch prioritiesFunctional outcomesMultiple comorbiditiesGlobal collaborationTraumatizationSurvivorsPeer support enhanced behavioural crisis response teams in the emergency department: protocol for a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised controlled trial
Nath B, Desai R, Cook J, Dziura J, Davis-Plourde K, Youins R, Guy K, Pavlo A, Smith E, Smith D, Kangas K, Heckmann R, Hart L, Powsner S, Sevilla M, Evans M, Kumar A, Faustino I, Hu Y, Bellamy C, Wong A. Peer support enhanced behavioural crisis response teams in the emergency department: protocol for a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2025, 15: e103775. PMID: 40484432, PMCID: PMC12161358, DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-103775.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsCluster randomised controlled trialEmergency departmentPeer supportDelivery of trauma-informed careStepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trialExperience of mental illnessPhysical restraintRate of physical restraintBehavioral crisesPeer support workersReduce restraint useSecondary outcomesFollow-up data collectionResponse teamPatient-centred approachPositive patient outcomesTrauma-informed carePeer-reviewed journalsCrisis response teamsUsual careStepped-wedgeIntervention readinessPeer deliveryRestraint useED settingPeer online motivational interviewing and affirmative care for sexual and gender minority men who are survivors of sexual trauma: A randomized clinical trial
Cook J, Ellis A, Simiola V, Martino S, Bellamy C, O'Connell M, Livingston N. Peer online motivational interviewing and affirmative care for sexual and gender minority men who are survivors of sexual trauma: A randomized clinical trial. Journal Of Traumatic Stress 2025, 38: 904-917. PMID: 40444426, DOI: 10.1002/jts.23170.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsSurvivors of sexual traumaSexual traumaMotivational interviewingPosttraumatic stress disorder symptomsReducing posttraumatic stress disorder symptomsStress disorder symptomsMental health service utilizationExperience of sexual traumaMental health treatmentGender minority menEffectiveness of motivational interviewingAffirming careMental health servicesDisorder symptomsPsychiatric symptomsRandomized clinical trialsHealth care seekingBetween-group differencesHealth service utilizationHealth treatmentMinority stressOnline group sessionsMinority menCare-seekingService utilization
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
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Honors
honor Outstanding Contributions as a Teacher
08/03/2020Yale School of Medicine AwardYale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Psychology SectionDetailsUnited Stateshonor Outstanding Service to the Field of Trauma Psychology
03/03/2016National AwardAmerican Psychological Association Division of Trauma PsychologyDetailsUnited States
News
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News
- April 28, 2026Source: TIME
Opinion: Why Epstein Survivors Should Testify Before Congress
- March 24, 2025
Spicer Honored With 2025 Yale Department of Psychiatry Mental Health Advocacy Award
- August 02, 2024
Loya Honored with Career Development Award from NIDA
- August 01, 2024Source: Yale News
Joan Cook Appointed the Albert E. Kent Professor of Psychiatry
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Mailing Address
Psychiatry
Department of Psychiatry, 300 George Street
New Haven, CT 06511
United States