Quick Facts
Biography
Alan Downs is an American clinical psychologist and author.
He runs a private practice in Los Angeles, California. From 2007 until 2010, he was the CEO of Michael's House Treatment Center in Palm Springs, California.
Education and Career
In the years 1985-1988, Downs attended the University of Nebraska and received Ph.D. in psychology. He then became a licensed clinical psychologist.
Downs is also an author of several books, including, The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World, which is one of the leading self-help books for gay men. In 2005, Downs was a featured guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
In addition to his many books, Downs has also been a contributing writer to Mother Jones magazine.
He is Executive Director of Gay Men’s Institute and authored of The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Trauma of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World.
Accomplishments
Downs is also an author whose books include:
- The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World
- The Half-Empty Heart
- Secrets of an Executive Coach: Proven Methods for Helping Leaders Excel Under Pressure
- The Fearless Executive
- Seven Miracles of Management
- Why Does This Keep Happening to Me?
- Corporate Executions: the Ugly Truth about Downsizing – How Corporate Greed is Shattering Lives, Companies, and Communities
- Beyond the Looking Glass: Overcoming the Seductive Culture of Corporate Narcissism
Downs' work has been quoted numerous times in variety of media, including The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, Attitude, San Francisco Chronicle and many others. He has made appearances on such programs as CBS Sunday Morning, Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News and NPR's Morning Edition.
Speaker at Foundations Process Addictions 2009 Conference, Palms, Las Vegas