Dr. Jacob Cooper Ph.D. - Clinical Sport Psychologist in Boone, NC

Dr. Jacob Cooper specializes in helping elite athletes and high performers—whether on the field, in the boardroom, or in life—achieve their full potential. With a comprehensive approach rooted in both clinical psychology and performance psychology, Dr. Cooper provides the guidance and tools needed to enhance mental performance, build resilience, and navigate the challenges that come with striving for excellence.

A Short Bio

Dr. Cooper is a clinical sport psychologist who serves as the associate athletic director of sport psychology and mental wellness at Appalachian State University. A former college athlete himself, Jacob has worked with athletes at the Olympic, Professional, and Division-1 levels over the course of his career. In addition to high-performance populations, he has a unique background and training in the areas of occupational and industrial psychology, culture building, leadership training, and military psychology. He has worked with athletes and staff throughout the NFL, NASCAR, NHL, MLB, NBA, MLS, and PGA. Additionally, he has provided performance optimization for military personnel prior to their deployments as well as counseling for veterans transitioning back to civilian life throughout Western North Carolina, Indiana, and Boston.

Clinical Sport Psychology Services

Dr. Cooper offers a range of services designed to meet the unique needs of athletes, high performers, and those seeking growth and resilience in their personal and professional lives. Each service is tailored to address individual unique personalities, challenges, and goals, whether you're an elite athlete recovering from injury, a college student managing the pressures of academics and sports, or a professional seeking to gain a competitive edge.

Primary Services:

Counseling and Mental Health Care:

Specialized support for managing anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, and other mental health concerns.

Psychological Rehabilitation from Injury:

Guidance and support for athletes recovering from injuries, focusing on both physical and mental recovery.

Navigating Transitions for Athletes:

Assistance with career changes, whether it's moving from high school to college athletics, navigating professional careers, or transitioning out of sports.

Individual Performance Consultations:

Confidential one-on-one sessions to explore mental skills, overcome performance blocks and inner barriers, and maximize personal strengths.

Team Dynamics and Leadership Development:

Workshops and training designed to enhance team cohesion, clarify goals, strengthen communication,  and develop leadership skills.

Education Background:

  • B.A. - (Psychology) Taylor University (Indiana) - 4 year scholarship athlete & team captain (Football)

  • Dual Masters Degree - Ball State University (Indiana)

  • M.S. - Sport and Performance Psychology

  • M.A. - Clinical Psychology

  • PhD- Counseling Psychology - Sport and Performance Specialization - Boston University

  • Matched Clinical Residency - Charles George Veterans Hospital - Asheville North Carolina.

About Dr. Cooper

The journey and sacrifice to optimal performance can be incredibly rewarding, but rarely does it come without obstacles, challenges, intense pressure, and a struggle to balance other life values. Dr. Cooper is passionate about working alongside high-performing individuals, helping to create an environment where they can thrive in both their mental performance and personal wellbeing. As a former collegiate offensive lineman turned amateur triathlete and runner (Hello Clydesdale Division!), Dr. Cooper’s passion for serving athletes developed during his own athletic career, seeing himself and his teammates experience a sincere need for culturally relevant and cutting edge mental health care and mental training that aligned with their values and goals as athletes. His journey led to developing unique expertise about the science of the mind, high performance, and how it intersected with the Christian faith on important mental well-being topics. 


Jacob has worked as a sport psychologist for over 10 years supporting army rangers, Olympians, pro & college athletes, as well as pro sport organizations and community leaders within athletic departments and churches. In this span of time he has published scholarly articles and cultivated a unique approach that integrates the latest research, evidence-based approaches, assessments, and biofeedback technology to better serve his clients. Dr. Cooper has cultivated a style of performance enhancement training that focuses on working with athletes holistically and across the spectrum of future-oriented goals, as well as current &prior existing mental health concerns that can show up in the pursuit of excellence. This humbling journey to date has further fueled his distinct passion for destigmatizing mental health, improving access to quality treatment, providing extensive psychoeducation, and the utilization of best practices, to bring about lasting change to high performers across the world.

Serving North Carolina and Beyond

While Dr. Cooper is based in Boone, NC, he travels across North Carolina to bring his expertise directly to you. His work extends beyond the clinic, providing on-site consultations and workshops to teams and organizations across the state. Dr. Cooper also maintains the authority to practice inter-jurisdictional telepsychology via the PSYPACT commission. (APIT #19325). This means he can provide his services effectively through HIPAA secure Zoom software in 42 different states in the United States. 

Why Choose Dr. Cooper?

Dr. Cooper’s unique blend of clinical and performance psychology sets him apart. As a clinical sport psychologist, Dr. Cooper is a 2 for 1! To this end, he brings an extensive background in mental health and performance enhancement. He possesses the highest level and most comprehensive training in order to provide the most well-rounded and holistic assistance for athletes and teams  Additionally, his background as a former college athlete, combined with his extensive education and experience working with pro athletes, gives him a deep understanding of the pressures and challenges faced by high performers. He doesn’t just provide a service; he partners with you to achieve your goals, whether that’s overcoming a mental block, recovering from an injury, or improving your overall mental health while working in a dynamic high performance environment.

What Dr. Cooper Offers:

  • Confidentiality and Trust: A secure space to explore your challenges and improve without judgment.

  • Expertise and Experience: Over a decade of experience working with athletes at the Olympic, professional, and collegiate levels.

  • Holistic Approach: Addressing both mental performance and overall well-being.

  • Customized Solutions: Tailored strategies to meet your specific needs and goals.

Locations Served

Dr. Cooper’s services are available throughout North Carolina, including:

  • Boone, NC: His home base, serving local athletes and teams.

  • Charlotte, NC: On-site consultations and workshops for professional teams and organizations.

  • Raleigh, NC: Providing support for collegiate athletes and professional teams.

  • Asheville, NC: Specialized services for athletes recovering from injury.

  • Greensboro, NC: Career counseling and performance consulting for high performers.

  • Zoom services are available in 42 states via PSYPACT interjurisdictional authority

FAQs

  • A: Counseling is often focused on addressing past or current challenges that impact your life today. Performance consulting is more present or future-oriented, helping you develop mental skills to enhance your performance in specific areas.

  • A: The timeline varies depending on individual needs and goals. Some may see improvements in a few sessions, while others may benefit from ongoing support.

  • A: Yes, Dr. Cooper offers workshops and training sessions designed to improve team cohesion, clarify goals, and develop leadership skills. He also offers coaching clinics and unique skills tailored to the modern dilmea faced by coaches and leaders.

  • A: Absolutely. Dr. Cooper adheres to the highest standards of confidentiality, ensuring that your sessions are a safe space for open and honest discussion.

  • A: While Dr. Cooper specializes in working with athletes, his services are also beneficial for high performers in business and other areas who are looking to enhance their mental game. Dr. Cooper has experience working with active and retired military personnel, special operation units, first responders, clergy, and other behavioral health professionals as clients and relishes the opportunity to work with these populations.

Get Started

Whether you're an elite athlete striving for gold or a professional aiming for the next big promotion, Dr. Cooper is here to help you reach your potential. With a blend of expertise, experience, and a deep understanding of the mental game, Dr. Cooper offers the tools and support you need to achieve excellence.