Dr. Jonna Cooley grew up in a small river town in rural Central Illinois, where she spent much of her childhood outdoors, immersed in nature, sports, and community life. After graduating high school, she moved to Springfield, Illinois, where over the next two decades she earned a bachelor’s degree in child, family, and community services, a master’s degree in counseling, and a PhD in psychology. 

Early in her career, Dr. Cooley was drawn to nonprofit work and went on to spend 40 years leading two nonprofit agencies in Central Illinois. Her work included nearly two decades working with abused children, followed by another 20 years serving LGBTQ+ individuals, people experiencing homelessness, individuals living with HIV, and those engaged in active substance use. Alongside her nonprofit leadership, she taught for 20 years as an adjunct associate professor at the University of Illinois Springfield. 

Currently, Dr. Cooley facilitates mental health programming at a private college in Central Illinois. She has served on numerous local, statewide, and national boards. She is a certified forest therapy guide through the Forest Therapy School and is dedicated to helping college students and individuals reconnect with nature. She is a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor, and has training in trauma-informed care, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and harm reduction. 

In her free time, Jonna enjoys being outdoors, watching birds and animals, photography, kayaking, and relaxing with her six-pound chihuahua, Dino. 

Jonna is a graduate of The Forest Therapy School’s Guide Certification Program. 

Top banner photo: Sunset on Lake Springfield near Jonna’s home in Illinois.