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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Richard A. Cohen (born 1952) 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)[1] which offers discredited conversion therapy practices purporting to change a person from homosexual to heterosexual.[2][3][4] In 2002, Cohen was expelled from the American Counseling Association for multiple violations.[5][6]
Richard A. Cohen | |
---|---|
Born | 1952 (age 71–72) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
Alma mater | Boston University Antioch University |
Spouse | Jae Sook Cohen (1980–present) |
Children | 3 |
He is author of Alfie's Home, a children's book which depicts homosexuality as a reversible condition.[7] He gained media attention after demonstrating his ex-gay touch therapy on The Daily Show, which included cuddling with men and beating a pillow.[8][9]
Cohen was born into a Jewish family in Philadelphia. During adolescence, Cohen reportedly spent "years in intensive psychiatric treatment unsuccessfully trying to become straight".[2]
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.[2]
In 1980, Cohen married Jae Sook, a South Korean woman, and in 1995, Cohen and his family left the Unification Church.[2][9] Cohen had affairs with men, often leaving his wife and children for long periods of time.[4]
According to The Washington Post, Cohen 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."[2]
Cohen received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Boston University and a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Antioch University.[2]
He is author of Alfie's Home, a children's book which depicts homosexuality as a reversible condition.[7] He served as the president of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX), a group which promoted reparative therapy.[6]
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.[5][6] He did not appeal the ACA decision.[2]
Cohen was interviewed by Jason Jones on the March 19, 2007, episode of The Daily Show.[10] He gained media attention for demonstrating cuddling with men and hitting pillows as a method for curing homosexuality.[10][8] After the appearance, PFOX scrubbed mention of Cohen's name from its website.[6]
Cohen was on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on June 28, 2006, was interviewed on The Rachel Maddow Show on December 8, 2009,[11] and was on The Michelangelo Signorile Show on the Sirius radio network on April 17, 2010.
* Published and reviewed in multiple languages
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