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Education
PhD, MPH, LPC, ABCP

Ph.D.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

(May 1982)


College of Education
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL

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M.A.

MASTER OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY (October 2001)


College of Psychology

American School of Professional Psychology
Atlanta, GA

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M.P.H.

MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH

(May 1987)


Graduate School of Public Health
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
(Awarded University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health Distinguished Graduate Award, May 2003)

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M.H.E.

MASTER OF HEALTH EDUCATION

(May 1979)


Health Sciences Department
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT
(Awarded Brigham Young University Alumni of the Year Award, College of Health and Human Performance, October 2002)

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B.S.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

(August 1977)


Department of Health Sciences
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT

About Dr. Cole

Galen Cole is a master of public health, licensed and board-certified professional counselor, nationally certified counselor, nationally certified hypnotherapist, a certified cognitive behavioral therapist, and an American Board Certified Psychotherapist. He has extensive training and experience in trauma therapy, including EMDR and Brainspotting. He has also received the World Certified Psychotherapist (WCPC) designation by the World Council of Psychotherapy in Vienna.  In addition to relying heavily on evidence-based individual and couples therapies, Galen has been recognized by his peers for his innovations in the area of Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MCBT), which has resulted in a trademarked algorithm that is central to understanding and applying “4th Wave" evidence-based MCBT. Galen has taught counseling psychology, equine-assisted mental health, behavioral and evaluation research, and a number of other counseling and health-related courses at the university level. He’s been on the undergraduate and/or graduate faculty at Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University, Pennsylvania State University, and Emory University. Galen has extensive experience practicing what he teaches, including working on staff and as a consultant at numerous clinics, hospitals, and community-based organizations, consulting on a number of popular television series (e.g., The Young and the Restless, Private Practice, The Big C, 90210, Chasing Life, Hostages). He is the psychotherapist on three seasons of the popular TLC reality show “The Seven Little Johnstons.” Galen has served as the Executive Director of two different 501(c)3 Foundations, worked as an Associate Director of the public health department in Phoenix, Arizona, and worked for 23 years as a research psychologist, behavioral scientist, and director of research, evaluation, and strategic communication activities in various centers, institutes, and offices at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2003, Galen was appointed by the Governor of Georgia to serve on the Georgia Human Resources (DHR) Board. In this capacity, he served as chair of the DHR committee that provided policy guidance to the state Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Diseases. After leaving CDC in 2014, Galen took a position as a Senior Mental Health Strategist and Thought Leader at the American Institutes for Research (AIR), headquartered in Washington, D.C. In this position, he led the development of AIR’s vision and creative strategies to address the mental health needs of the nation. Galen has served on numerous local, regional, and national boards of directors, including the Board of Professional Counselors at the American Psychotherapy Association. He recently served as President of the Georgia Association of Licensed Professional Counselors. In addition to his private practice, Galen travels throughout the U.S., conducting intensive continuing education workshops on “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques." Galen has been a trainer and consultant in the Central Asian Republics, Nigeria, China, Thailand, Kenya, Switzerland, Australia, Peru, Germany, Uganda, and the Middle East, where he has consulted and conducted training with the Palestinian Health Authority, the Israeli Ministry of Health, and many other NGOs. He has also provided technical support to several prominent international organizations, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the World Bank, Hollywood, Health, and Society (HH&S), and the World Health Organization (WHO). Galen has published numerous books and scientific papers and has presented at conferences and training seminars worldwide. In recognition of his many accomplishments, Galen has received distinguished alumni awards from two universities he attended. In 2020, he was designated an Expert Faculty Lecturer in the “Best of the Best” series sponsored by the American College of Psychology (https://acpsy.org). In 2023, Galen received the John C. Burns III Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia Licensed Professional Counseling Association for his work as a clinician and at the community level around his efforts to advocate for access to affordable and effective mental health services. He and his wife Priscilla have been married since 1975 and are the parents of 5 adult children.

License & Certificates

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  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC003888)

  • Master of Public Health (MPH), University of Pittsburgh, School of Public Health (www.pitt.edu)

  • National Certified Counselor (NCC), National Board of Certified Counselors (www.nacbt.org)

  • American Board Certified Psychotherapist (acpsy.org)

  • World Certificate of Psychotherapy (WCP), World Council of Psychotherapy (www.worldpsyche.org)

  • Certified Clinical Hypnosis and Rapid Resolution Therapy (RRT), Institute for Rapid Resolution Therapy (www.rapidresolutiontherapy.com)

  • Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS), Georgia Licensed Professional Counselor Association (www.lpcaga.org)

  • Intensively Trained and Certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (www.pesi.com)

  • Intensively Trained and Certified in EMDR (www.pesi.com)

  • Intensively Trained in BrainSpotting (Level IV) (www.brainspotting.com)

  • Board Certified Professional Counselor (BCPC), American Psychotherapy Association (www.americanpsychotherapy.com)

  • Board Certified Diplomate in Psychotherapy (DAPA), American Psychotherapy Association (www.americanpsychotherapy.com)

  • Intensive Life Coach Training, The Institute for Life Coach Training (https://www.lifecoachtraining.com)

  • CBCT® Cognitively-Based Compassion Training. Emory University-Tibet Contemplative Practice Partnership. Trainer and Teacher Geshe Lobsang Tenzin Negi.

  • Emotionally Focussed Couples Therapy: Externship, International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focussed Therapy (www.iceeft.com)

  • Georgia Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor-III (CADC-G00016), Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia (www.adacbga.org) — Lapsed due to insufficient CEUs.

  • Deployment Resiliency Specialist (DSRT), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Center for Traumatic Stress at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (www.cdc.gov & www.usuhs.mil)

Scientific Publications 

Scientific Journal Articles:

  • Cole, G.E. (2022) The Trans-Theoretical Model for Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy a Paradigm for Systematically Advancing Evidence-Based Practice and Research, Cogent Psychology, 9:1, DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2022.2080320

  • Rosenthal, E.L., Buffington, S.C., & Cole, G.E. (2018). From the small screen to breast cancer screening: Examining the impact of a television storyline on awareness of genetic risk factors. Journal of Communication in Healthcare. DOI: 10.1080/17538068.2018.1438766

  • Cole, G.E.; Keller, P.A.; Reynolds, J; Schaur, M., & Krause, D. (2015). CDC MessageWorks: Designing and Validating a Social Marketing Tool to Craft and Defend Effective Messages. Social Marketing Quarterly. November, pp. 1-16.

  • Hesse, B.W.; Cole, G. E., & Powe, B. (2013). Partnering against cancer today: a blueprint for coordinating efforts through communication science. Journal of the National Cancer Institute Monographs, No. 47, pp. 233-239.

  • Wilkes, M.; Srinvasan, M.; Cole, G. E.; Tardif, R.; Richardson, L., & Plescia, M. (2013). Discussing Uncertainty and Risk in Primary Care: Recommendations of a Multi-Disciplinary CDC Panel Regarding Communication around Prostate Cancer Screening, Journal of General Internal Medicine. Published online in May 10.1007/s11606-013-2419-z.

  • Abbatangelo-Gray, J.; Cole, G. E., & Kennedy, M. G. (2007). Guidance for evaluating mass communication health initiatives: Summary of an expert panel sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Evaluation & The Health Professions, Vo. 30, No. 3, pp. 229-253.

  • Courtney, J.; Cole, G. E., & Reynolds, B. (2003). How CDC is meeting the training demands of Emergency Risk Communication. Journal of Health Communication: International Perspectives, Vol. 8, Sup. 1, pp. 128-129.

  • Thomas, S.; Cole, G. E.; Duncan, T.; Crouse-Quinn, S., & Freimuth, V. (2001). A descriptive comparison between blacks and whites on attitudes towards health research and researchers, and perceived knowledge of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Social Science and Medicine,Vo. 52, pp. 797-808.

  • Cole, G. E. (1999). Advancing The Development and Application of Theory-Based Evaluation in the Practice of Public Health. American Journal of Evaluation, Vo. 20, No. 3, pp. 453-470.

  • Chervin, D.; Nowak, G., & Cole, G. E. (1999). Using audience research in designing public health initiatives at the federal level. Social Marketing Quarterly, Vo. 5, No. 3, pp. 34-39.

  • Cole, G. E.; Leonard, B.; Hammond, S., & Fridinger, F. (1998). Using Stages of Behavioral Change constructs to measure the short-term effects of a worksite-based intervention to increase moderate physical activity. Psychological Reports, No. 82, pp. 615-618.

  • MacGowan, R.; Fichtner, R.; Swanson, N.; Collier, C.; Kroliczak A., & Cole G. E. (1997). Factors associated with client-centered HIV infection among clients entering methadone treatment. AIDS Education and Prevention, Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 205-217.

  • Wilson, M.; Jorgensen, C., & Cole, G. E. (1996). The effects of worksite HIV/AIDS interventions: A review of the research literature. American Journal of Health Promotion, Vol 11, 150-157.

  • Salmon, C.; Wooten, K.; Gentry, E.; Cole, G. E., & Kroger, F. (1996). AIDS Knowledge Gaps: Results from the first decade of the epidemic and implications for future public information efforts. Journal of Health Communication, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 141-155.

  • Cole, G. E.; Pogostin, C.; Westover, B.; Rios, N., & Collier, C. (1995). Addressing problems in evaluating health-relevant programs through a systematic planning and evaluation model. Risk: Issues in Health, Safety and Environment , Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 37-57.

  • Robles, R.; Colon, H.; Diaz, N.; MacGowan, R.; Cancel, L., & Cole, G. E. (1994). Behavioral risk factors and HIV infection of injection drug users at detoxification clinics in Puerto Rico. International Journal of Epidemiology, Vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 595-601.

  • Balcazar, H.; Hartner, J., & Cole, G. E., (1993). The effects of prenatal care utilization and maternal risk factors on pregnancy outcome between Mexican Americans and Non-Hispanic Whites. Journal of the National Medical Association, Vol. 85, No. 3, pp. 195-202.

  • Cole, G. E.; Holtgrave, D., & Rios, N. (1993). Systematic development of trans-theoretically based behavioral risk management programs. Risk: Issues in Health, Safety and Environment , Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 67-93.

  • Cole, G. E.; Timmreck, T.; Page, R., & Woods, S. (1992). Patterns and prevalence of substance use among Navajo youth. Health Values, Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 50-57.

  • Page, R., & Cole. G. E. (1992). Demoralization and Living Alone: Outcomes from an Urban Community Study. Psychological Reports, Vol. 70, pp. 275-280.

  • Balcazar, H.; Cole, G. E., & Hartner, J. (1992). Mexican American's use of prenatal care and its relationship to maternal risk factors and pregnancy outcome. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 1-7.

  • Page, R., & Cole, G. E. (1991). Loneliness and alcoholism risk in late adolescence: A comparative study of adults and adolescents. Adolescence, Vol. 26, N. 104, pp. 925-930.

  • Page, R., & Cole, G. E. (1991). Demographic predictors of self-reported loneliness in adults. Psychological Reports, Vol. 68, pp. 938-945.

  • Cole, G. E., Wallace, J. & McCartan, D. (1991). An assessment of the impact of indoor air quality on employee health and satisfaction levels. Occupational Health and Safety, May, pp. 38-51.

  • Strembel, S.; Sass, S.; Cole; G. E.; Hartner, J., & Fisher, C. (1991). Breast-feeding policies and routines among Arizona hospitals and nursery staff: Results and implications of a descriptive study. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, Vol. 91, No. 8, August, pp. 923-935.

  • Cole, G. E., Tucker, L. & Friedman, G. (1990). Relationships among measures of alcohol drinking behavior, life-events and perceived stress. Psychological Reports, Vol. 67, pp. 587-591.

  • Timmreck, T. & Cole, G. E. (1989). Health services administration skills: An overlooked need of community health education and health promotion. Health Education, Feb/March, pp. 36-43.

  • Cole, G. E., Tucker, L. & Friedman, G. (1987). Absenteeism data as a measure of cost effectiveness of stress management programs. American Journal of Health Promotion, Vol. 1, No. 4, pp. 12-15.

  • Tucker, L., Cole, G. E. & Friedman, G. (1987). Stress and serum cholesterol: A study of 7,000 adult males. Health Values, Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 34-39.

  • Cole, G. E., Eddy, J. & Friedman, G. (l987). A protocol for selecting quality worksite health enhancement services and programs. Occupational Health and Safety, Vol. 56, No. 4, pp. 30-34.

  • Timmreck, T., Cole, G. E., James, G. & Butterworth, D. (1987). The health education and health promotion movement: A theoretical jungle. Health Education, October/November, pp. 24-28.

  • Cole, G. E., Tucker, L. & Friedman, G. (1986). Measures of objective and subjective stress by level of income. Psychological Reports, Vol. 59, pp. 139-142.

  • Cole, G. E., Duncan, D. & Friedman, G. (l986). A systems perspective for hospital based health promotion. Optimal Health, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 24-27.

  • Tucker, L., Cole, G. E. & Friedman, G. (l986). Physical fitness: A buffer against stress. Perceptual and Motor Skills, Vol. 63, pp. 955-961.

  • Cole, G. E., Friedman, G. & Bagwell, M. (1986). A worksite behavioral health education program based on operant conditioning. Occupational Health Nursing,Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 132-137.

  • Page, R. & Cole, G. E. (1986). School health education: A nation at risk. Wellness Perspectives, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 37-38.

  • Page, R., Wrye, S. & Cole, G. E. (1986). The role of loneliness in health and wellness. Home Healthcare Nursing, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 6-10.

  • Cole, G. E. (1985). Life change events as stressors and their relationship to mental health among undergraduate university students. Psychological Reports, Vol.56., pp. 387-390.

  • Page, R. & Cole, G. E. (1985). Fishbein’s Model of Behavioral Intentions: A framework for health education research and development. Int’l Quarterly of Community Health Education, Vol. 5, No. 4, pp. 321-329.

  • Cole, G. E. (1984). Articulating health promotion into a health services administration curriculum. Health Matrix, Vol. 2, pp. 80-81.

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