Beating the Gay out of you: A look at Richard Cohen

[NathanATX]

I just went to the CNN.com archives and paid to watch the entire Paula Zahn show interview with Richard Cohen of his "ex-gay" program, "gay to straight." I didn't know a lot about Richard before seeing that interview, but now I sure do.

Here's what I've found...

Richard's Creepy Cuddle Therapy & Beating a Pillow
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/06/02.html#a8543

"Paula Zahn had infamous "ex-gay therapist" (or as he calls himself, "conversion therapist") Richard Cohen on last night in a segment called "New Therapy Claims to "Cure" Homosexuality." The transcript doesn't describe what Cohen does next on the video to demonstrate his therapeutic "techniques...read on"

Watching Cohen beat a pillow with a tennis racket says it all. Here's the video:
http://movies.crooksandliars.com/PZ-cohen.wmv

How Richard Got Married

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/06/02.html#a8548
"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."

His ties to Moon explains a lot, but even more troubling is this:

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.

Permanent expulsion is a rarely used sanction, according to David Kaplan, chief professional officer of the Alexandria-based organization. Kaplan said Cohen was found to have violated six sections of the ACA's ethics code, which bars members from actions that "seek to meet their personal needs at the expense of clients," those that exploit "the trust and dependency of clients," and for soliciting testimonials or promoting products in a deceptive manner."

Richard has a meltdown after a TV debate
http://www.waynebesen.com/2005/09/ex...tv-debate.html

"Following our debate, Cohen sent out a hateful prayer request via e-mail that personally attacked me. If you read the e-mail below, it can only be described as a psychological meltdown, or maybe a nervous breakdown."

[Zerbie]

Thanks for posting this Nathan. People need to be aware that this strange man has a history of ethics violations, and hopefully avoid getting entangled with him and his methods.

[Mia14]

It amazes me that people like this man actually exist...

[dewdrop_world]

Originally Posted by NathanATX

Richard has a meltdown after a TV debate
http://www.waynebesen.com/2005/09/ex...tv-debate.html

This link is broken...?

James

[tdogg]

Ok, I'm not a psychologist, but, it appears that Mr. Cohen might have some major pent up anger over something - perhaps having to go back to the closet? I also found the cuddling thing to be very strange. I guess anyone can hang a sign outside their door and do therapy??? Oh wait my mistake, he is a coach not a therapist...huh???

Disturbing at the very least...