A Conversion Therapist's Unusual Odyssey

[kweerwolf]

From The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/15/AR2005081501063.html?nav=rss_health

"I'm a heterosexual and I want to give somebody hope. I want to say, 'I did it, you can do it, too,' " said Richard A. Cohen, one of the best-known reparative therapists, who practices out of a book-lined office in his home in a modest Bowie neighborhood. Cohen, 52, identifies himself as a former homosexual. He lectures widely, has written three books and serves as president of Parents, Families and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX).

Articulate and engaging, Cohen has the sinewy build and erect carriage of the dancer he once was. He has been married for nearly 23 years -- an arranged marriage that he said was suggested by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon when he and his wife were members of the Unification Church, to which they belonged for 20 years.

<snip>

He is not licensed as a therapist, he explained, because he "didn't want to jump through the hoops and deal with the heterophobia and anti-ex-gay attitudes." He circumvents the licensing requirement by asking for donations to his foundation. "I am not doing therapy per se," he said. "I'm coaching."

In 2002, Cohen was permanently expelled from the American Counseling Association (ACA) for multiple ethical violations.

************************

The Post also has another feature on the so-called reparitive therapy at:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/15/AR2005081501022.html?nav=rss_health

[tanyev]

1. This tells me all I need to know.

Articulate and engaging, Cohen has the sinewy build and erect carriage of the dancer he once was. He has been married for nearly 23 years -- an arranged marriage that he said was suggested by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon when he and his wife were members of the Unification Church, to which they belonged for 20 years.


OMG! Had to edit to add this:

Touch plays a central role in his therapy, said Cohen, who does not treat women. He recommends that clients develop intimate friendships with heterosexual mentors who will cuddle them in a parental, nonerotic way, making up for the love they did not get from their fathers.

"You've got to feel it to heal it," he said. ·

[kweerwolf]

2. And if that didn't do it, this would:

2002, Cohen was permanently expelled from the American Counseling Association (ACA) for multiple ethical violations.

Guess that puts him in good company since Paul Cameron, the darling of right-wing pseudo-scientific research, was expelled from the American Psychological Association for ethical violations as well.

Those "ex-gay" therapists are such rebels! :eyes:

[kbm8795]

3. LOL...who has time for ethics

when they have a propaganda agenda to push?

[kweerwolf]

5. The 'touching' thing is big in the ex-gay groups.

They believe that gay men are just looking for positive, non-sexual physical attention from masculine male role models because they didn't receive it from their fathers. They also encourage a lot of talking about one's sexual experiences while undergoing counseling (or 'coaching').

Call me cynical, but all this sounds like foreplay leading up to a wanking session for some of these 'ex-gay' therapists. :eyes:

[davidinalameda]

6. cynical

sounds like foreplay to me too

[ibegurpard]

7. This is SO creepy

"Touch plays a central role in his therapy, said Cohen, who does not treat women. He recommends that clients develop intimate friendships with heterosexual mentors who will cuddle them in a parental, nonerotic way, making up for the love they did not get from their fathers."

Very inappropriate. Cuddling with your "therapist?" Good fodder for a comedy spoof.

[davidinalameda]

4. coaching?

I wonder if the professional licensing board has anything to say--how about practicing without a license?

shut these dangerous fuckers down!