Richard A. Cohen

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Other people Richard A. Cohen is a Christian psychotherapist and author associated with the ex-gay movement. He is a co-founder of Positive Approaches to Healthy Sexuality (previously Positive Alternatives to Homosexuality)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which offers discredited conversion therapy practices purporting to change a person from homosexual to heterosexual.<ref name="post">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":4">Template:Cite book</ref> In 2002, Cohen was expelled from the American Counseling Association for multiple violations.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

He is author of Alfie's Home, a children's book which depicts homosexuality as a reversible condition.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref> He gained media attention after demonstrating his ex-gay touch therapy on The Daily Show, which included cuddling with men and beating a pillow.<ref name=":5">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":3">Template:Cite web</ref>

Biography

Cohen was born into a Jewish family in Philadelphia. During adolescence, Cohen reportedly spent "years in intensive psychiatric treatment unsuccessfully trying to become straight".<ref name="post" />

Cohen identified as gay during his undergraduate years at Boston University. He sought counseling for his unwanted same-sex attractions. He became an evangelical Christian, and later joined the Unification Church.<ref name="post" />

In 1980, Cohen married Jae Sook, a South Korean woman, and in 1995, Cohen and his family left the Unification Church.<ref name="post" /><ref name=":3" /> Cohen had affairs with men, often leaving his wife and children for long periods of time.<ref name=":4" />

According to The Washington Post, he "overcame homosexuality" in 1987 through an "intense but platonic relationship" with a straight man who "gave me the warmth of my daddy's love."<ref name="post" />

Cohen received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Boston University and a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Antioch University.<ref name="post" />

He is author of Alfie's Home, a children's book which depicts homosexuality as a reversible condition.<ref name=":2" /> He served as the president of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX), a group which promoted reparative therapy.<ref name=":1" />

Expulsion from the ACA

In 2002, Cohen was expelled from the American Counseling Association (ACA) for violating its policies on advertising, engaging in dual relationships involving clients and counselors, and compromising client welfare.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web, American Counseling Association. Retrieved July 4, 2007.</ref><ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> He did not appeal the ACA decision.<ref name="post" />

Media appearances

Cohen was interviewed by Jason Jones on the March 19, 2007, episode of The Daily Show.<ref name=":6">Template:Cite web</ref> He gained media attention for demonstrating cuddling with men and hitting pillows as a method for curing homosexuality.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":5" /> After the appearance, PFOX scrubbed mention of Cohen's name from its website.<ref name=":1" />

Cohen was on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on June 28, 2006, was interviewed on The Rachel Maddow Show on December 8, 2009,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and was on The Michelangelo Signorile Show on the Sirius radio network on April 17, 2010.Template:Citation needed

Selected works

1. Coming Out Straight, Oakhill Press, Winchester, VA, 2000, Template:ISBN
2. Gay Children, Straight Parents, 2007, InterVarsity Press, Template:ISBN
3. Being Gay: Nature, Nurture or Both? PATH Press, 2020, Template:ISBN
4. Understanding Our LGBTQ+ Loved Ones, 2022, PATH Press, Template:ISBN
5. Healing Humanity: Time, Touch & Talk, 2018, TTT Press, USA, Template:ISBN
6. A Therapist’s Guide: Assisting Our LGBTQ+ Loved Ones, 2024, PATH Press, Template:ISBN