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The True Story Of Cheryl Cohen Greene: Sex Surrogate, IPSA VP, And The Controversial Therapy Behind 'The Sessions'

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As of late 2025, Cheryl Cohen Greene remains one of the most recognized and influential figures in the field of Surrogate Partner Therapy (SPT). Her career, which began in the early 1970s, has been defined by a pioneering commitment to helping individuals overcome sexual dysfunction and intimacy issues through a highly structured, ethical, and often misunderstood therapeutic approach. Her profile exploded onto the global stage with the 2012 film *The Sessions*, which chronicled her work with the late poet Mark O’Brien, bringing the complex and sensitive world of sexual surrogacy into mainstream conversation. The enduring curiosity surrounding her work is rooted in its unique position at the intersection of therapy and physical intimacy. Greene’s long-standing practice in Berkeley, California, and her dedication to professionalizing the field through organizations like the International Professional Surrogates Association (IPSA) solidify her legacy as a foundational figure who championed the therapeutic value of touch and emotional connection for clients struggling with profound barriers to intimacy.

Cheryl Cohen Greene: A Comprehensive Biography and Professional Profile

Cheryl Cohen Greene is an American sexual surrogate partner, author, and speaker whose decades-long career has focused on treating individuals with sexual and intimacy challenges. Her work is a key component of Surrogate Partner Therapy (SPT), a modality involving a client, a licensed psychotherapist, and a surrogate partner.

  • Full Name: Cheryl Cohen-Greene
  • Born: September 9, 1944
  • Place of Birth: United States
  • Primary Location of Practice: Berkeley, California, since 1973.
  • Professional Role: Surrogate Partner, Consultant in Human Sexuality, Speaker.
  • Current Professional Title (2025): Vice President of the International Professional Surrogates Association (IPSA).
  • Education/Certification: Certified Clinical Sexologist; holds a doctorate in Human Sexuality.
  • Key Affiliations: International Professional Surrogates Association (IPSA), San Francisco Sex Information Training Staff (20-year member), Co-founder of the Bay Area Surrogates Association (BASA).
  • Published Work: Author of the memoir *An Intimate Life: Sex, Love, and My Journey As A Surrogate* (2012).
  • Notable Portrayal: Portrayed by actress Helen Hunt in the 2012 feature film *The Sessions*.
  • Famous Client: The late American poet and journalist Mark O’Brien, who was paralyzed from the neck down due to polio.

Understanding Surrogate Partner Therapy (SPT): The Triad of Healing

The term "sex surrogate" often carries a sensationalized or misunderstood connotation. Cheryl Cohen Greene’s work, however, is strictly defined within the ethical and clinical framework of Surrogate Partner Therapy (SPT). This approach is a three-way collaboration that is crucial for its therapeutic legitimacy.

The Essential Triad

SPT operates on a model involving three distinct roles: the client, the licensed psychotherapist, and the surrogate partner. This structure ensures the process remains therapeutic and ethical, distinguishing it clearly from sex work or prostitution. The surrogate partner never works independently; they must always be part of a team supervised by a mental health professional.

The psychotherapist handles the emotional and psychological issues, setting the treatment goals. The surrogate partner, such as Greene, works on the behavioral and physical aspects, acting as a "practice partner" for the client.

Core Therapeutic Goals

Clients who seek Surrogate Partner Therapy typically struggle with a range of issues, including sexual dysfunction, anxiety around intimacy, body image issues, difficulty forming relationships, or a lack of experience due to disability or trauma. Greene’s work focuses on teaching practical skills that a client can eventually transfer to a real-life partner.

These skills are taught through a series of progressive exercises, often beginning with non-sexual contact and moving toward sexual intimacy, depending on the client’s goals and comfort level. The process is not a quick fix but a carefully planned course of behavioral modification and emotional learning. Key techniques include:

  • Sensate Focus: Exercises designed to increase body awareness and pleasure through non-demand touching.
  • Intimacy Skills: Teaching communication, boundary setting, and emotional vulnerability.
  • Physical Touch: Providing a safe, non-judgmental context for clients to experience physical closeness and sexual expression.

Greene’s role is to model healthy, reciprocal, and intimate behavior. This hands-on, experiential learning is particularly vital for clients who have never experienced a healthy sexual or intimate relationship.

The Cultural Impact of ‘The Sessions’ and IPSA’s Role

Cheryl Cohen Greene's career received unprecedented attention following the release of the 2012 film *The Sessions*. The movie, based on Mark O’Brien’s essay "On Seeing a Sex Surrogate," detailed his life as an iron lung patient and his decision to hire Greene to help him lose his virginity.

The Sessions and Public Discourse

The film, which earned Helen Hunt an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Greene, sparked a global conversation about disability, sexuality, and the therapeutic legitimacy of sexual surrogacy. Greene served as a consultant on the film, ensuring the portrayal of her profession was as accurate and respectful as possible.

While the film helped destigmatize the profession, it also highlighted the sensitive nature of the work. Greene has consistently used her platform to educate the public, emphasizing that the therapeutic relationship is distinct from a personal one, and that the physical intimacy serves a clinical objective. The core message she advocates is that everyone deserves the right to sexual health and intimacy, regardless of physical or emotional barriers.

Professionalizing the Field with IPSA

Greene’s commitment to professionalism is evident in her long-standing involvement with the International Professional Surrogates Association (IPSA). IPSA is the primary organization responsible for the training, certification, and ethical standards of surrogate partners worldwide. IPSA’s existence is critical because Surrogate Partner Therapy, while not illegal in most jurisdictions, lacks governmental licensing, making self-regulation essential for credibility.

As the Vice President of IPSA, Greene actively works to maintain rigorous standards, ensuring that all certified surrogates work in conjunction with licensed therapists and adhere to a strict code of ethics. This leadership role in the organization showcases her dedication to the integrity of the profession well into 2025, ensuring that SPT remains a respected and viable option for treating sexual and intimacy disorders.

The Legacy of a Pioneer in Human Sexuality

Cheryl Cohen Greene’s career is a testament to the power of experiential therapy in the realm of human sexuality. Her work has helped countless clients navigate complex issues, from performance anxiety and fear of touch to the unique challenges faced by individuals with physical disabilities.

Her memoir, *An Intimate Life*, provides a candid look into the emotional and professional demands of the job, demystifying the process and emphasizing the deep therapeutic bond required. By combining her clinical expertise as a Certified Clinical Sexologist with her hands-on role as a surrogate partner, Greene has been instrumental in shifting the public perception of sexual surrogacy from a taboo subject to a legitimate, albeit specialized, form of psychotherapy.

Today, as a leading voice and Vice President of IPSA, she continues to shape the future of Surrogate Partner Therapy, ensuring that the next generation of practitioners maintains the ethical and compassionate standards she established over her five-decade career. Her legacy is one of courage, compassion, and a tireless effort to bring healing and intimacy to those who need it most.

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