Dr. Michael Coons is a Clinical, Health and Rehabilitation Psychologist. His expertise includes the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of health-related issues. These include:
- Sleep and related problems (e.g. problems falling asleep, staying asleep, waking too early, and sleeping too much)
- Weight management and lifestyle
- Chronic pain
- Mental health issues (e.g. depression, anxiety) that commonly occur with health-related problems
Dr. Coons’ expertise extends across the lifespan including children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, and he works with individuals, couples, and families.
Dr. Coons completed his PhD at the University of Waterloo, and clinical residency in Medical Psychology at Duke University Medical Centre. He is currently a Staff Psychologist with the Medical Bariatric Program and Diabetes Clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. He has held faculty positions at world-class medical schools and institutions including:
- Northwestern University, Department of Preventive Medicine (Chicago, IL)
- University of Toronto, Department of Family & Community Medicine
- York University, Department of Psychology
Dr. Coons was formerly the Director of Research in Primary Care at Markham Stouffville Hospital, and Program Director and Instructor for the inaugural Health Coaching Institute at York University. He is also a member of the Centre for Child Nutrition Health and Development at the University of Toronto, and Banting & Best Diabetes Centre.
Dr. Coons has been appointed to the Obesity Scientific Committee of the American Heart Association (2012-2014; 2014-2016), where he contributes to scientific statements related to obesity that inform public policy, research, and clinical practice. He has also been appointed to the Health Education and Lifestyle Management committee (formerly the National Nutrition Committee) of the Canadian Diabetes Association (2015-2017). He is a co-author of the Mental Health Chapter of the 2018 Clinical Practice Guidelines of Diabetes Canada (formerly the Canadian Diabetes Association). Dr. Coons has held over $5 million in federal research grants, and has published over 40 peer-review journal articles and book chapters related to these topics. He is a sought after presenter at international medical and psychological conferences.
Dr. Coons is a registered member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario (#5702). He is 1 of 3 Canadians to have earned the board certification in Behavioural Sleep Medicine with the American Board of Sleep Medicine. He holds professional memberships with the Ontario Psychological Association, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and American Heart Association.