Richard A. Cohen
Richard A. Cohen (born 1952) is an American psychotherapist and author associated with the ex-gay movement. He is a co-founder of Positive Approaches to Healthy Sexuality (PATH), and the past director of the International Healing Foundation. Cohen's early work as an author and therapist was defined by his personal journey: identifying as a homosexual in adolescence, struggling early in his heterosexual marriage, finding personal and marital healing and with his wife, birthing and raising three children. This became the basis for his advocacy, writing and therapeutic practice with men and women with unwanted same -sex attraction, and ultimately all genders, orientations and relationship challenges. Cohen maintains that gender orientation is a "human rights issue," and that the choice to either identify or seek change is an individual one, a position that has generated controversy. In 2002, Cohen was expelled from the American Counseling Association for multiple violations. Opponents claimed that Cohen practiced a form of "conversion therapy," which has been associated with coercion and labelled unethical. Cohen and PATH have publicly rejected conversion therapy, while insisting that "change is possible" and advocating for "equality, tolerance and diversity for all views of sexuality and gender  identity." Numerous medical institutions have warned that conversion therapy is ineffective and may be harmful, and that there is no evidence that sexual orientation can be changed by therapeutic treatments. In a 2000 position statement, the American Psychological Association (APA) opposed all clinical attempts to change an individual's sexual orientation, and stated that "…there are no scientifically rigorous outcome studies to determine either the actual efficacy or harm of 'reparative' treatments." Cohen is also the author of "Alfie's Home", a controversial children's book based upon Cohen's own experiences and written as a therapeutic and teaching tool , which refers to his personal experience of sexual abuse. Opponents claim that recent scientific research demonstrates that gender nonconformity may cause a child to be targeted for sexual abuse, rather than the other way around. Biography. Cohen was born into a Jewish family in Philadelphia. While attending Boston University, he became an evangelical Christian, and later joined the Unification Church. In 1980, Cohen married Jae Sook, a South Korean woman, and in 1995, Cohen and his family left the Unification Church. During adolescence, Cohen reportedly spent "years in intensive psychiatric treatment unsuccessfully trying to become straight". Cohen identified as gay  during his undergraduate years at Boston University. He sought counseling for his unwanted same-sex attractions. He says he has been heterosexual since 1987, to which he credits resolution of underlying issues. He became publicly involved in the ex-gay movement in 1990. Cohen received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Boston University and a Master of Arts degree in counseling psychology from Antioch University. Cohen is the author of six books. His autobiographical recounting of his personal journey and healing process, "Coming Out Straight", was first published by Oakhill Press in 2000, with three updated editions since. His  guideline for parents and families, "Gay Children, Straight Parents", was first published by InterVarsity Press in 2007. His most recent book, "Healing Humanity: Time, Touch and Talk" was published in 2019. Career. International Healing Foundation / Positive Approaches to Healthy Sexuality. Cohen founded the International Healing Foundation (IHF) in 1990, a nonprofit organization, to counsel those who experience unwanted same-sex attraction (SSA) through Sexual Orientation Therapy. IHF was dissolved in 2015. In 2003, Cohen co-founded Positive Approaches to Healthy Sexuality (PATH), which promotes "the individual's right of self-determination, and equality, tolerance and diversity for all views of  sexuality and gender identity." Cohen has said, "If someone wants to live a gay life, that needs to be respected. If someone wants to resolve unwanted same-sex attraction, that too needs to be respected. Let us practice true tolerance, real diversity, and equality for all." While he was a psychotherapist in Washington state, Cohen was a registered counselor. During his therapeutic practice in Maryland, there was no licensure requirement for counselors until the time he was transitioning to full time teaching. Cohen has trained over 6,000 psychologists, psychotherapists, physicians, and ministry leaders throughout the US, Latin America, Europe, and  the Middle East. Expulsion from the ACA. In 2002, Cohen was expelled from the American Counseling Association (ACA). Noting that the ACA is a non-licensing trade organization, and that his expulsion was based upon a single complaint, Cohen did not appeal the ACA decision. He said that the action was based on his efforts in the ex-gay movement, specifically for the book "Coming Out Straight". He called the ACA "a biased organization," and asked, "Why would I want to be in a totally gay-affirming club?" Media appearances. Cohen was on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on June 28, 2006 , and was a guest on "The Rachel Maddow Show" on December 8, 2009. Cohen was interviewed by Jason Jones on the March 19, 2007, episode of "The Daily Show", and was on "The Michelangelo Signorile Show" on the Sirius radio network on April 17, 2010. Cohen has also appeared on "Larry King Live", "The O'Reilly Factor", and "The Edge with Paula Zahn", as well as interviews on "CNN", ABC News in Washington DC, and others. Coverage by other figures. Cohen was a major figure in Wayne Besen's book "Anything But Straight", which documents Cohen's colorful life, his early  affairs with men, and his later involvement in the ex-gay movement. Books written. Cohen has several books published or re-published under his own PATH Press: