I was a patient for about 6-7 years. Initially, I had a good experience and was seeing progress. However, things started to regress and I wasn't feeling well. I felt like I wasn't being heard during my appointments and the response was to just keep pushing more prescriptions. I finally had enough and decided I needed to make a change in providers. I sought out an eating disorder clinic in Colorado (since under fueling my intense exercise seemed to be what lead to my problems). I have been with that new clinic for a year now and all of my bloodwork has improved to being within normal categories, and I feel the best I have felt in years. I was diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. The treatment is much less invasive (and far less expensive) than the slew of medications SPM had me on (I just have to take Zyrtec and a mast cell stabilizer). Within a couple weeks, I knew I was on a better path. I wish SPM had investigated this instead of prescribing GLP-1's and a laundry list of others that were doing more harm than good. I'm back to running and exercising and feel the best I've felt in 10 years. read more

I'm going to keep it as short and sweet as I can here. Went to SPM because I was having a hard time losing weight and with a family history of Diabetes I wanted to monitor an markers of emerging diabetes Basically I went to the clinic, had lots of labs done, they let me know my insulin levels were not high yet but that I had post prandial hypo glycemia, meaning my blood sugar tanked when I ate food. Again, no heightened insulin levels. No pre-diabetes. They recommended I eat more calories going from about 1200-1650 calories and included a ton of grains I don't normally eat (Mediterranean diet) and put me on a semi glut ide as well as acarbose The next tests I went in for after this I was not in good shape, the medications made me sick, my insulins rose and I was now pre diabetic. Over the 6 months I was seen I did everything they asked and lost 0 pounds. I felt horrible after the 6 mo. The response at my follow up apt was to get me on a third medication and up my doses, the communication was that I would have to take medication possibly indefinitely. Also that the diabetes had unmasked. I did not feel comfortable with continuing the medication. It made it harder to be active and I was feeling sick all the time. My insulin's levels were not good and I was concerned the medications were making my situation worse. I asked to stop taking the medications and be tested again in a month. I stopped taking meds, felt better, called and made an apt for follow up labs and an apt with my provider ARNP Daphne. She said no problem, I came in for labs, a month later I check for labs. There are no labs. Also I am unable to get into portal connect. I email 6 people and call multiple times to get into the portal. There is a message about portal connect not working in safari or chrome. (Ok the what do I use to login) download Firefox, still can't get into portal connect to see my labs. Finally I get this email from Dr. Cooper (not my provider Daphne ) saying I am no longer a patient? (But daphne had said she was ready to see me and go over the labs) Dr. Cooper says she left a voicemail (this flat out didn't happen) and an email, I got only an email from Sophia (I'm guessing an admin) through portal connect WHICH WASN'T ACCESSIBLE, That says I need to fill out a form if I'd like to discharge as a patient. It also says I'll continue to pay for portal connect until I sign. I did not sign because I did not access portal connect for another month. Finally I am able to get into portal connect through the app. After a bunch of emails and calls and figuring out I could download an app because no browser works. I did not ask to be discharged, I did not sign the paperwork to discharge, I asked my provider for a follow up lab panel to decide how to move forward. My provider (Daphne Carballo) agreed to that. I then made an appointment AND GOT MY LABS DONE. And then a month after Dr. Cooper emails and says she has not sent the lab and discharged me without my knowledge. This was not a decision that took into account the best interests of my health. I'm guessing Dr. Cooper was not interested in seeing labs that corrected after I got off the medications that are a part of her regiment as it would be evidence against her for profit, private pay business. I'll be filing a complaint with the DOH. If you feel like this clinic is pushing medication and things are off and you are declining, trust your gut. I will be getting labs somewhere else and following up with what they say. You should be losing weight or correcting insulin or blood sugar issues, not getting the opposite. read more

See all

If you had asked me 5ish years ago what I thought about SPM, my answer would've been completely different. However, six years later and thousands upon thousands of dollars in debt-- my thoughts on SPM have changed dramatically. After countless hours at the gym and following a strict food plan (probably the fourth or fifth plan I had tried) over the before I started at SPM, I kept gaining weight or my weight was fluctuating week to week. One day, I heard about SPM from a family friend. They had lost quite a bit of weight and this finally seemed to be the answer to my prayers based on what they shared with me. I thought my family would give me financial support, which was their own suggestion, since visits ($375+/visit) and the most important meds I needed to take, like Victoza and Saxenda, which became Ozempic, Wegovy, and Majourno, aren't covered by insurance. But the joke was on me. I never got the financial support that I was told I'd get and now I'm drowning in crippling debt. That may not be SPM's fault but seeing as Dr. Cooper made it seem as though I wouldn't have to be on the meds forever, I thought there would be light at the end of the tunnel and that I'd only need to see her for a couple years to get on track. However, unless you are extremely well off financially, there is no sense in going to SPM. In the six or so years I'd been going, I'd lost about 30lbs total but the moment my credit cards were maxed out and I couldn't access the meds anymore, I gained all of the weight back. It's my fault for believing this was the right thing for me to do, but they really had me convinced they were the answer. When I finally parted ways, I was told that they "hated to see me give up." That was insulting especially because I wasn't giving up. I was deciding that having a roof over my head is more important than my health. I wish my health could've stayed up there, but unless you're wealthy, there's just no way SPM is sustainable. I really did like them when I was able to make it work but as time went on, I realized this wasn't the right fit. Now I'm back to square one and to doctors telling me diet and exercise (shocking!). read more

Dr. Cooper's clinic was recommended to me by another medical provider as I was looking to change to a plant-based diet, since food allergies and a highly restricted diet (e.g., from wheat, gluten, soy, beans and legumes, starchy foods, and nightshades such as tomatoes) had proved challenging. I was assigned to a physician assistant who was courteous and knowledgeable about the clinic's own protocol but lacked understanding about my personal health history (despite completing a barrage of patient registration forms). She merely advised that I switch to a "Mediterranean diet" without any further assistance. With regard to medical insurance, I understood it would be my responsibility to deal with such matters, but it was frustrating that their super bills contained numerous errors (including wrong diagnostic codes), which lead to spending many unnecessary hours on the phone with my insurance carrier. However, my biggest problem is that this clinic is not centered around patient needs but towards its own research agenda, which seems to involve churning out as much patient testing at rigidly frequent intervals, no matter the circumstances. Due to other ongoing medical issues, I was unable to attend their clinic for testing every 6 weeks as summoned, and, as consequence, I received a phone call pressuring me into canceling my account with them even though I had paid a whole year in advance for their inferior portal access (with no refund, of course). I was further threatened that if I failed to complete the cancellation paperwork that my credit card would be continually charged ~$100 annually. All I can say is that it is a big relief to not have to deal with this clinic anymore. read more

I had an extremely disappointing experience at Cooper Center of Metabolism (same facility and doctor as Seattle Performance Medicine). I saw a PA, not Dr. Cooper herself. They are not in-network with any insurance providers and charge high rates for appointments (over $400). Out-of-network deductibles are usually quite high (if you even have coverage), so you end up paying most, if not all, out of pocket. They would regularly charge me for visits or lab work that my insurance rejected because it was "experimental." I still have a Quest bill for over $3000 from 8 months ago that's pending because Cooper hasn't replied with a note saying the labs were medically necessary. They also make you pay $70 to access their patient portal. I told the intake person and my provider that I had a history of disordered eating and did not want to focus on weight. I was told during the intake call that Cooper does not put weight at the forefront. Despite that, my provider repeatedly brought up my weight, even after I reminded her multiple times that I didn't want to focus on weight. The PA I saw pushed me to go on 4 different diabetes medications, some of which are taken 3+ times per day. I do not have diabetes or pre-diabetic A1c. One of these was Saxenda, which is similar to Ozempic/Wegovy, which I declined to go on because of numerous concerns, including lack of insurance coverage, high cost, ubiquitous side effects, no long-term studies, and the need to take the drug forever to prevent symptoms from returning. The PA continued to push this drug at me at every appointment. At my final appointment, I asked the PA, if my blood work numbers were all in the normal range, would she still want me to take Saxenda? She said yes. Once again, the focus was clearly still on weight loss, regardless of health. The PA also tried to offer lifestyle improvements, without much substance behind the recommendations. For example, when I told the PA that work was a stressor for me, she asked if I could just "change jobs." My personal situation aside, I frankly think it's irresponsible of Cooper Metabolic to prescribe medications like Wegovy and Saxenda to patients who don't need it when there is an ongoing shortage, which is putting folks with type 2 diabetes health and lives at risk. I never felt like I was treated as an individual, just a set of numbers and another patient to test out Dr. Cooper's research on. If you're dealing with metabolic challenges, don't waste your money and look for care elsewhere. read more

I've been seeing Dr Cooper for over 10 years. When I first showed up I was in bad shape and showed serious metabolic overtraining. This was a consequence of competing as a lightweight, training hard, but it was a struggle to make weight. Fast forward 10 years and my bloodwork is, relatively speaking, amazing! It can be a long haul to fix metabolic issues, and a fast fix may not always be in the cards. It took me a good year & a half before I started to see improvements, but now, I'm amazed that my labs are consistently good. It's been a journey; and certainly worthwhile. Thank you Dr. Cooper. read more

I've been on the waiting list to see Dr. Cooper for 3 years. Today I was excited to get a call from her office that there was availability. The patient care rep said we should go over some things before we could get to "the meat and potatoes" of scheduling and that's when it went downhill. They do not accept any insurance. $400 New Patient Appointment $25 Venipuncture + Lab Fees through Quest $400 Follow up to labs $375 Follow-ups I was still in after all of this. Until, I was told that Dr. Emily Cooper isn't accepting any new patients. She has a staff of PA's and is "growing her practice". I can appreciate the need for growth, but I've been on the list for THREE YEARS. Don't bait and switch me. I've been waiting ages. I'm so frustrated. read more

After years of trying to lose weight on my own, I started at this clinic this year. As others have mentioned, the cost is pretty high. You would think that might result in a decent quality of care: you'd be wrong. Dr. Cooper, Dr. Rheinlander, and the front desk staff are great. The problem lies with the medical assistants and the phlebotomists, who do the bulk of the work in between. You are encouraged to use the patient portal for the majority (if not all) of your needs, including communication about prescriptions, questions about care, etc. It is not uncommon for you to send a question and wait weeks to get a response, with multiple follow-ups required in order to get that response. The excuse is always the same: "we're behind on our messages". If you're behind, then hire more staff, pay better wages, or become more competent. The phlebotomists seem to struggle every single visit: even well hydrated, I have yet to have a blood draw without multiple pokes. When you're getting one ever 30/60/90 minutes, and it's two pokes (or more) per try, it's utterly ridiculous. At this point, weighing the sunk cost vs just giving up. read more

I discovered Seattle Performance medicine not because I am some amazing athlete, but because I am a confusing puzzle no one could quite figure out. Finally, my primary care physician referred me to Dr. Emily Cooper at Seattle Performance Medicine because she is, 'some sort of metabolism genius.' So I went, and I may even have to agree. Dr. Cooper has such an amazing way of looking at things from all angles and figuring things out. She is not quick to jump and definitely does not use a cookie cutter approach for treatment. She found things that nobody even thought to look for. Further, the whole staff is amazing and they work collaboratively. There was once a question about my Celiac's disease, and she just shot an inter-office note to the nutritionist, during my appointment, and I had an answer within five minutes. Appointments can take as long as an hour, which I think is a good thing when it involves someone listening to all of my concerns. The only heads up that I have, the office does not bill insurance directly. You pay out of pocket in the office and they give you absolutely everything you need to mail to your insurance for reimbursement and even though they do not work with insurances directly, they will pre-check coverage if you are having a procedure out of the ordinary. After seeing a multitude of doctors, this is where I actually received help and where my problem was solved. read more

I went here for the V02 Max test and met with Kainoa Pauole-Roth to see where I was as a runner and to hopefully improve as it's hard for me nowadays to keep a steady pace when I run marathons. The actual test encompasses a LOT of things: Resting metabolic rate, VO2max measurement, exercise metabolic rate, exercise fuel utilization, aerobic threshold, anaerobic threshold, fractional utilization of VO2max and VO2max power at anaerobic threshold, HRmax, HR recovery, HR zones, power zones, training recommendations. The testing lasted about 2.5 hours. The first part is the resting metabolic rate which you have to fast for 2-4 hours previous to coming in so bring some snacks because the rest of the testing is all on the dreadmill WITH a sexy face-eating mask. After the testing, you will meet with Kainoa and she will have a report of everything you've done, where you are at, a plan of improvement and a ton of helpful advice. I learned that my metabolism was suuuper slow and I needed to eat more calories and definitely fuel more often when I run. That really surprised me since I am always eating but because I'm a plant-based eater, I eat large volumes and often so that I am full and not hungry. The problem is healthy homemade stuff is low on the calories, especially when you stand at your desk 9 hrs a day, run about 25 miles a week and do Barre3 as a a cross-training day. This made total sense now that I think about it but it's definitely been a challenge to eat when I'm not hungry. Anyhooo, I digress. I am now training with my HR levels only which has really helped how I feel and has kept me from running crazy fast or slow during a single run. I am way more consistent. I think this is a great option for those of us who are interested in improving our hobbies of choice and want our bodies to work smarter and not harder. Kainoa will communicate everything that you need to have before you come in and always answers questions quickly. read more

I initially met with Dr. Cooper and found her to be lovely, but after my first consultation I was referred to her PA, who was also extremely kind and thoughtful. My experience has been nothing short of magical! I have lost nearly 100lbs in about 14 months and its staying off. I am closely monitored and my bloodwork is done regularly, and for the first time in my life I can actually see the changes in my body via the bloodwork. I have never been able to lose a pound on my own, but SPM took the time to get to the bottom of my bodies mystery and cracked the code. She does not accept insurance but she does offer a superform after every visit, and paying those myself helped reach my deductible from insurance much faster. It took several years to get in and it worth every minute of the wait. read more

I have worked with Dr. Cooper and her staff since 2005, and perhaps earlier. As a young female that was relatively new to endurance running and interested in the effects (both positive & negative) to my body and mind I was encouraged when I met Dr. Cooper. Over the years through various tests, VO2max, bloodwork, resting metabolic rate, body composition, nutritional analysis, etc we have been able to track my progress, correct my mis-steps and wrong perceptions of the sport and training and maintain longevity for me in the sport. I have now been running ultra-distance races with great success for 12 years and still feel like some of my best years are ahead of me. I am thankful for Dr. Cooper's approach, her ability to look at the big picture and her personal interest in her patients success, whatever that looks like. Recently Dr. Cooper has started to work with my mother, who has battled her weight since having children 34 years ago. My Mom has tried every diet, pill and other strategy available to no avail. With the work with Dr. Cooper we are seeing significant results, not only with my Mom's weight, but in her increased energy levels and general mood. I am inspired by the spectrum of patients Dr. Cooper is able to work with and am again thankful for the improvements in quality of life she has brought not only to me, but to my family. read more

I agree with everything the prior reviewer said about Dr. Cooper. I've seen her for medical conditions as well as performance testing. What I want to add is how truly customer focussed this place is....the best. Also, the expertise of her whole team is top notch. read more

A friend referred me to Dr. Cooper and her wonderful staff. I have never been to a doctor who spends so much time with you. The initial visit is an hour, getting to know you, family history and health history. Through blood tests and her counseling we have worked together on my plan to get my blood sugar reversed by making my pancreas make more insulin. Her plan is working like a charm, and 16 pounds of fat are gone, but better, I'm no longer in the high blood sugar zone. I am a slightly active person to begin with, and over time we have added 30 minutes extra per week to my exercise plan. Not much, but it's a simple step that made a difference. Her staff is friendly, remembers you each visit, and she seems truly interested in you and you alone during your visit with her. She inputs your blood results into a take-away form for you to look at and see your progress. I wouldn't change doctors for anything at this point. As for the negative posters, you can't expect someone else to lose the weight for you, get a personal trainer and do the work. read more

After waiting 1 year to see Dr Cooper. I got a call the other day amwas told she was now accepting new patients unfortunately "the clinic" is excepting new patients not Dr. Cooper. If I want to get into the clinic I have to see one of her PAs. Unfortunately, the cost (which is rather large) is relatively the same to see Dr. Cooper as it is one of her PAs. I am very hesitant to go forward with this process, but am hoping to finally get an answer to a problem I've had for some time now. So I decided to go to the appointment anyway and go see her PA. They put me on what they described as medications to help my metabolic syndrome however neglected to mention that the meds are primarily used as diabetic medication and anti-seizure medication neither of which were explained to me. When I picked up my medication, my pharmacist explains that it also is very dangerous to drink any sort of alcohol ...which again never told in my appointment. I never got a call back about any of these questions, but had already made an appointment to get my labs to test these new medications. I was not going to take the medication until I got clarification but had to cancel my labs since no one ever called me back. The office then had the nerve to charge me a $25 cancellation fee even though it was their lack of communication and lack of transparency that made me have to cancel. On top of everything else as I making my appointment with the front desk I see the person in charge of labs and taking blood panicked because she can't get the needle into someone's vein and needs help from the front desk. In my opinion they are scrambling to hire people and the people they're hiring are under-trained and under-qualified. Lastly, I found out today that the portal that they use for all communication costs $70 a year... you have to pay an annual fee to be able to communicate??!! I'm sticking with this bc I have already spent way too much money. But this is NOT off to a good start. END RESULT.... no weight loss, put on a bunch of pills that side effects are down right scary, spent way too much money for nothing. Don't waste your time or money, because all they want is your money. Btw if you refuse to pay the $70 for the portal there is no other way to communicate with any "drs" (really they are not professionally trained .... so "assistants"). DONT WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY, like I did. read more

I was at the point where I was feeling terrible all the time and I knew that wasn't normal. I thought I since I was eating healthy and organic foods and I was exercising I should be feeling better than I did. Turns out I wasn't exercising the best way and I wasn't eating all the things my body needed. I really learned how to eat and exercise from Dr. cooper in a way that was right for my body and lifestyle. I cant believe how much better I feel and how much simpler my life is now that I get it! Finally! The best part is... Its so much less complicated that I thought it would be. Dr. Cooper and her staff explain things in such a simple way that you think to yourself "duh, I should have been able to figure that out for myself"... But I wasn't. read more

Doctor Cooper at Seattle Performance Medicine has been my doctor for several years. At all times, I've found her professional, friendly and approachable. Dr. Cooper is always there for me. For instance, in addition to the regular care she provides, if I have a problem, I can email her and she'll respond quickly telling me what I should do. But what I appreciate just as much is that she is a diagnostician and is ahead of most doctors in her treatment knowledge of leptin and insulin resistance as well cortisol. I've recommended Dr. Cooper to many of my friends and co-workers and they are now seeing her as well. She is by far the best doctor I've had the pleasure of meeting. read more

My experience with Dr. Cooper is exceptional. I am lucky guy who was referred to an awesome Doctor with a researchers head and a healers heart. Originally, a physical therapist referred me to Dr. Cooper because my healing from an injury was progressing very slowly and my sports performance for my size and age was poor. Personally, I was going from one flu bug to another. If I even heard someone sneeze, my own nose blowing was never far behind. Dr. Cooper has changed all of those things. I heal from injuries quickly. I recover from long workouts normally. My performance while not world class, is much more in line with my age, size and ability and getting better all the time. Doctor Cooper's great care and very personal service has made her my go to Doctor. An example of this is contacting Dr. Cooper from a hospital in Hawaii after a marathon. I had developed an irregular heart beat issue. Dr. Cooper helped me assess the care I was receiving and gave me a referral to a local Seattle cardiologist who would see me right away. As that process progressed, Dr. Cooper worked with the specialist I was seeing at the time and adjusted my care and monitoring at her office accordingly. Seeing a doctor for care is a very personal choice and I am very tough on doctors. Doctor Cooper is my doctor. read more

I am truly perplexed when I read about negative reviews about Dr Cooper, I know that she is a physician that is light years ahead of her time and I believe that the concepts and level she operates on is not understood by the lay person. Some people want a quick fix and she gets to the root of the problem, which takes time. But for those of us who want to experience optimum health and performance, there is no better physician to work with. The reasons I began to see her in 2008 were simply to be my best and overcome nagging health issues: fatigue, heart arrythmia which occasionally reared its ugly head during marathon training and other such things. However, when my health took a nosedive in January 2012, I had nowhere to turn and literally could not get off the couch, I experienced several trips to the ER, doctors wanted to put me on anxiety meds and I thought I was losing my mind as well as my life. Dr. C was relentless in figuring out what was wrong and diagnosed me and started me on meds that literally gave me my life back. The most important factor is that she never left my side, while other specialists scratched their heads, told me I was anxious, denied that my conditiion actually existed, she would always present a treatment plan. It has been 6 months and I almost totally have my regular life back. She helped me through a very scary time with reassurance, skill and most importantly, compassion. I could write pages because it is truly hard to sum up what my experience has been. As if my story is not enough, she has not only helped me, but about 15 of my friends who had difficult conditions, she was able to diagnose and treat them and give them their quality of life back, often improving on where they were before. The moral of the story is: if you have a difficult health condition and have been perplexing to other physicians and hence not taken seriously, you need to go to Seattle Performance Medicine. There is hope out there for you, trust me. As a running store owner and Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I feel I have a breadth of knowledge that has grown exponentially with Dr. C and I am better able to help my athletes and my clients. read more

Dr. Cooper has treated me for 5 years after I went along with Type II diabetes for an unknown amount of time. I was referred to her by a dietician who spotted several symptoms and felt that I should immediately look into the situation. At that time, I owned and ran a larger company in the tech business and was under a lot of stress 100% of the time so I also had hypertension. I was also 45 pound overweight and out of shape and at age 56, this spells disaster. Her approach was logical, personal, and medically right on the money. She assessed each of my systems and within two meetings, gave me not only her diagnosis, but her treatment schedule. That said, this didn't happen over night. Yes, we have both worked diligently over the past 5 years and have had to be nimble as the human body is a very dynamic and complex piece of equipment. Being nimble simply means being persistent enough to understand that both the patient and the physician have to change their approach as the body's dynamics change. Here I am 5 years later about free from Type II diabetes, free from hypertension, and almost 50 pounds lighter than I was the day I walked into Seattle Performance Medicine. I read all of the posts on this particular blog and chuckled. First, there's not a rude in Dr. Cooper's body or any of her staff. I'm in that office at least once every 5 to 6 weeks at my own direction. Secondly, each patient is responsible for their own success or failure. Dr. Cooper provides the backdrop and the tools along with complete explanations. If you expect to walk thru her door and walk out in 6 months or even a year "good as new", I suggest you are wasting your time unless your condition is minor. Finally, insofar as LIsa V.'s review is concerned and Dr. Cooper's use of Topiramate, I suggest that she doesn't fully understands such uninformed statements like she has made relevant to the "off label" use of pharmaceuticals as this is done all the time; if her attorneys are that good at their practice, then they wouldn't be in house counsel for MS. LIsa, I'm very sorry for you; you most likely suffer from laziness and running to an attorney isn't your answer. Being fat and unhappy is truly a sad state to find yourself in but don't blame Dr. Cooper. As the saying goes, you can please most of the people all the time, but a few lazy people are never happy. For those that are serious about getting to the bottom of their condition and maintaining good health, Emily Cooper will not disappoint. read more

Docter Emily Coooper and Seattle Performance Medicine have literally transformed my life. Over 5 years ago, I was having mono-like symptoms that were extremely inhibiting my athletic performance. I am an elite athlete and my physician, who I saw multiple times for this same problem, refused to draw my blood and kept inaccurately atrributing my symptoms to over-training. However, I knew this wasn't the case as I had already significantly decreased the volume and intensity of my workouts. Thankfully upon a suggestion made by a close friend, I made an appointment to see Doctor Emily Coopper who specializes in treating high level athletes and analyzing blood work to-a-tee. After one blood draw, she found that not only was I recovering from mono, I also had thyroiditis and severe anemia. Her devotion to helping her patients is one of a kind and I would not be playing professional soccer right now were it not for her help! read more

I had been having some health problems for quite a while, and knew something was not right with my body. I had visited three different doctors who did not take the time to find out what was really going on with me, instead they were all too eager to just write out a prescription for various ailments that they thought I might have. I was so frustrated at this point, and luckily I was referred by a friend to doctor Cooper. I credit with doctor Cooper with literally saving my life. I was in such bad shape at the time, and did not know it. She was able to determine right away what was going on with me, and to get me on the correct medication and start helping me to get back on the road to recovery. I have been through all the testing they do at SPM and with the help of Dr. Cooper and her amazing staff I am feeling great when I am running again, and starting to perform better then I ever have. I have made Dr. Cooper my primary care physician as she is the only doctor I trust after the bad experiences I had in the past. She is fantastic at what she does, because she is on top of all the latest research and so thorough. The best part is she is so compassionate and caring and really takes the time to listen to her patients. read more

I firmly believe that had I not met Dr. Cooper I would now have type II Diabetes. I first met Dr. Cooper when she graciously volunteered to put on a nutrition clinic for my running group and was impressed with her knowledge and passion to help people. Shortly after that I signed up for a VO2 max test at SPM. I had been running, exercising and eating healthy for the past 6 years but still could not lose the extra weight and body/belly fat I was carrying. My muscles were running out of gas on my longer runs and my recovery time was increasing. Through the extensive blood tests that she ran I was diagnosed as "pre-diabetic, metabolic syndrome and insulin resistant". This was a shock since I was having yearly physical exams and standard blood testing with another Dr. I have been seeing Dr. Cooper for about 1 year and have followed her plan and am excited to say that I have made tremendous progress. I have lost weight (mostly body fat) and now I feel 20 years younger! My muscles are now being fueled properly and recovery time is nothing. I have found Dr. Cooper to be a very kind, compassionate person who really spends the time and takes a personal interest in every one of her patients. I have sent many friends and family members to be treated at SPM and they all agree about how AWESOME Dr. Cooper is. I highly recommend SPM whether you are athletic or not. read more

As a patient of Dr. Cooper's for over a year, I started out with the same high opinions as everyone else. Dr. Cooper seemed like the only person who could help me with a severe metabolic issue, and I trusted her treatment plan wholeheartedly when she said it would likely take six months to a year in order to recover. I dedicated myself to it and she seemed like she knew what she was doing, as she would change my treatment every 6 weeks based on blood tests. At the end of the year, I asked Dr. Cooper why I hadn't seen any positive changes in my body, because I was fatter, more unhealthy, and more tired than ever. My bodyfat had skyrocketed from 24% to 35% because not only was I eating more, but I was also forbidden to exercise. She then told me that it might take 5 years to recover, a far cry from 6 mos to a year. I requested my records to get a second opinion and things went downhill from there. I received a letter in the mail discharging me as a patient after I'd questioned my treatment & expressed my dissatisfaction with the results. I can't say I'm surprised, because Dr. Cooper has a large ego which I bruised in questioning her methods. However, when I requested a refill on my medications in order to tide me over until I could find a new doctor, I was denied. I was also denied any referrals to doctors in the area. After repeated attempts to see her, I gave up and stuck between a rock and a hard place with no new doctor, I ran out of Topamax, an anti-seizure medication, and went off it cold turkey. I suffered from brain zaps, which feels like electricity going through your head, for months and felt crazy, along with hot and cold sweats. With my appointment with a new endocrinologist weeks away, it was extremely scary. It's also against the law, as a doctor is required to provide care & referrals for a minimum of 30 days after a discharge. It was recommended by the legal team at my job (Microsoft has ARAG legal benefits for employees) that I file a lawsuit for damages, but refrained because I don't have time, don't need the money & really just want the negativity out of my life in order to move on. I also feel like others should be warned that Dr. Cooper is unethical, and if I had a settlement, I would need to stay silent. I did file a complaint through the Washington Board of Health & they have said they've had prior complaints about her, and are planning on investigating. Needless to say, I would NOT recommend her for continuous, long-term treatment, especially if your "out of the box" treatment plan ends up not working. My new doctor says that the treatments Dr. Cooper used are untested and unproven to do anything, and often the treatment (eg, powerful anti-seizure medication for a metabolic issue) with its side effects is worse than the cure. He mentioned that sometimes doctors test drugs on their patients in order to do groundbreaking research, and Dr. Cooper is writing a book on her metabolic patients (if you don't believe me, ask her). I do know it took a month and a half for me to get my records and she had to review and sign off before I got a copy, which is really unusual. If you have questions about my experience, please PM me. I really feel like others should be warned. And for a more comprehensive list of reviews (which echo some of the things I say here), check Vitals: http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Emily_Cooper read more

I am glad to see that some people had positive results in Dr. Coopers program, I unfortunately did not. I also heard she was a metabolism expert and spent six months diligently following her directions, taking a variety of medications that made me feel very ill, and spent a great deal of time and money only to have negative results. By the end, I had not lost any weight and after keeping my diabetes at bay for several years with just diet and exercise, it came back with a vengeance. All I can recommend to people who are contemplating her program is to research her background and education ( and not from her website), ask if she tracks client results and ask to see those results, ( not just anecdotal stories of a few people who lost weight), and consult with an endocrinologist ( which she is not), before beginning the program. If you choose to proceed after all that, make sure you have a good doctor monitoring you throughout the process. I'd like to think Dr Cooper has good intentions and is trying to resolve the mysteries of the metabolism but her work with patients should be presented as an experimental study, not as a proven treatment method in my opinion. read more

I started at Seattle Performance Medicine about 4 years ago, but have worked much more frequently with Dr. Cooper over the last year. For a clinic that holds to a very high standard of operation and professionalism, every staff member (including Dr. Cooper) continually blows me away with a humble, individualized, and genuine approach to my care. There hasn't been a single instance where I have felt unheard. Dr. Cooper is an expert at what she does, and her staff are diligent, kind, and sharp. Nothing but good things to say about this place. read more

I can't say enough positive things about the way Dr. Cooper looks at metabolism. She has changed my life. I have been a patient of hers for over 3 years and have lost over 100 pounds that was NEVER going to come off with any of the almost 40 diets I tried. She totally understands the horrors and anxieties of what happens when obese people try to lose weight through any means possible and how awfully we are treated by most of the world--medical and regular. I starved myself for years and followed other (what I now know were crazy) plans and the weight I lost just came right back. Using no diets and using trial and error with medications, Dr. Cooper has steadily changed my metabolism to be closer to "normal". I eat healthily--protein, fats and carbs about every 4 hours and exercise on my own moderate level. The weight has stayed off without a problem and what's more, my cholesterol is lower than ever, my fatty liver problem is gone, my heart rates are better...I'm healthier than ever. And I'm not on some restrictive diet that's impossible to stick to forever. I learned so much about chemistry and the chemistry of my body from her. It's fascinating. For the first time in my life, I eat "normal" amounts of food and feel satisfied.I don't feel guilty if I eat a piece of chocolate...and I never want the whole box! It's the most amazing feeling I've ever had. I don't walk away from a meal wanting a snack! This is not a quick fix program and if that's what you're looking for, you will be disappointed. But if you're looking for something that will change your life and actually work, then Dr. Cooper is the best at what she does. If you can't get an appointment, reading her book. Dr. Cooper really problems wants to help. This isn't a diet book, it's about the most positive thing ever. It's not an overnight process, and it's not a miracle, but anything that's this fantastic is worth sticking with. This is real science. read more

I can not say enough good things about Dr. Cooper. My daughter started seeing her when she was four and I thank God every day that we found her. If you've ever been put down by every doctor out there because your child is obese and you've tried everything including denying your child all the pleasures that her little friends enjoy you need to see Dr. Cooper. It is not a quick fix but after more than two years my daughters BMI is going down , her liver is better, her thyroid is better etc. The best part is she is enjoying more activities and when she is an adult she won't have diabetes and heart problems. It's not an easy process but Dr. Cooper is so good with her and explained everything to her so that she actually asks for her blood work because as she says, "Some day I'm going to be super strong and never take a pill again." I encourage you to at least give it a shot. What do you have to lose other than a child who is miserable and will grow up to have many health issues. read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Cooper's since 2007. Without hesitation, that woman has had a PROFOUND impact on the course of my life! I first saw her when I was 23, and in the terrible grips of severe overtraining syndrome. Over the past 5 years I have made an incredible recovery.. Working my way not only back to where I was before I got sick, but well beyond it into a realm of physical and personal strength and endurance that I never imagined I would have. Most importantly, however, is that she has guided and educated me towards a far, far healthier and balanced view of human performance. Its so much more than just being an athlete... Its about waking up every morning feeling GREAT, and excited and passionate to start the day. To be grateful for this chance to be alive, and sucking atmosphere... Even during periods of hardship. I have to say, I am perplexed by the negative reviews of Dr. Cooper. I guess, if I really think about it, it makes sense that some people won't jive with her approach. For me, in order to recover, I HAD to gain weight and not train for a year. My body fat went from sub 10 percent 6-pack abs, to almost 20 percent! I felt like absolute shit.. To the point of questioning everything, even my place on this planet. Then, like a miracle, almost overnight, I was watching a movie one evening, and I realized that I actually felt pretty GOOD! I met with Emily a few weeks later, and she confirmed that it was time for me to start moving again! I had an utterly amazing year.. One of the best of my life. I wasn't, however, very mature at that point; A year after that it hit me again like a 747. BAM! Bone crushing fatigue. Again, Emily was there for me, speaking my language (science). And again, over another year of careful and relentless work, I recovered...Again. Except this time I decided to continue being careful, and before I knew it, I was banging out 11 thousand foot days in the mountains, and I continue to stay absolutely COMMITTED to my health. I remember her telling me to be careful that year after my first recovery, but like the young ADHD 24 year old I was, I just wasn't mature enough to know how to pace things. Looking back, if she had told me that I would need to gain 45 pounds and go through the most terrifying period of my life, I might have been utterly crushed. But you know what? In the end this journey is a personal one, Emily is simply the incredible messenger. Its been a long, heart-wrenching road, but one I had to go down to be the man I am today. By now, about 10 of my close friends have benefited from her amazing understanding of physiology, and I can say that she has saved more than just my life. I continue to seek guidance from her to this day. As someone who did a master's in exercise physiology, I get SUPER excited every time I get to see her! I get to sit back, and flippin LEARN something! And every time its something new. Keeping one's health is a life-long commitment, and nothing ever stays the same. I have so much love for Dr. Cooper, and feel utterly blessed to have her on my side. read more