Richard Cohen, PhD
President Elect
Los Angeles County
Richard Cohen has spent over 40 years working with young children and families as a teacher, researcher, administrator, and advocate. Currently a consultant and adjunct lecturer at the USC Suzanne Dworek Peck School of Social Work, Richard’s positions have ranged from teacher at the UCLA lab school to director of the Pacific Oaks research center, to head start director and executive director of a human service agency serving young children. He spent seven years directing a federally-funded early childhood mental health system of care grant in Los Angeles County. Richard holds an M.Ed. degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Ph.D. in educational psychology from UCLA. He completed the Napa fellowship and is endorsed as an advanced transdisciplinary mental health practitioner and reflective practice facilitator. His current work is focused in three areas: early identification and intervention; young children in child welfare; and fathers of young children.
Biba Toor says
I want to thank Dr Richard Cohen in my journey of working with children. During my years at Childrens Institute INC (CII) he guided, and directed me to perform my best in guiding children and families in need. The great accomplishments in clients lives I was able to achieve, was in part due to having a fabulous mentor and the support of Dr Cohen as a colleague. I just wanted to say a massive thank you for sharing your knowledge and teaching me so much during the years of working at CII. I do hope you and your family are well and blessed. And that your expertise continue to make this world and lives a much better place.
Anabel Weekley-Lima says
I recently met Dr. Cohen at the CalIAMH Conference. He asked me to call him Richard but my upbringing prevents me from addressing him as such, He was extremely personable and truly a warm individual. It was a pleasure speaking to him about our similar journeys in working with fathers in the welfare system. I greatly appreciate and cherish the Still Face Video he created through Project ABC many years ago. I shared with him that I have successfully utilized the video to educate caregivers about trauma and resiliency, especially those who come through our programs from DCFS. I have been in the field of social work, preventive mental health, early childhood intervention and attachment parenting for over 23 years. His wisdom about connection and helping fathers form lasting relationships with their children has guided me toward effectual conversations and opened up doors to their hearts. I look forward to connecting with him in the future, as my goal is to become endorsed as a Transdisciplinary Mental Health Practitioner in Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health, as I continue my work with families ages 0-5.