Sex and the Single Psychologist

Should Dr. Al Cooper's fuzzy data and controversial subject stop him from becoming a media darling -- or getting a date?

A A A Comments By Bernice Yeung Wednesday, Apr 7 2004

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According to Cooper, Internet dating is among the strongest examples of positive Internet sexuality. This he knows from personal experience.

Since his divorce three years ago, Cooper -- who says he is ultimately a romantic at heart -- has focused much of his attention on finding "the one." Though he frequently goes on dates with women he's met over the Internet, Cooper continues to look for a mate on Web portals like Match.com (ladies, he wants you to know that his Internet handle is ADOCFORYOU). Unsurprisingly, he brings his unyielding intensity to this search.

Paolo Vescia

Santa Clara's Dr. Alvin Cooper has been dubbed the "Masters and Johnson of cybersex."

Paolo Vescia

Sex therapist Dr. Marty Klein is a vocal critic of Cooper's "sexual addiction" model.

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"I'm determined," he says. "This is one of my major focuses in my life. It is. It's a major focus."

He has consulted with friends to craft his dating profile, which starts with an unattributed quote: "Love is like the tide; you need not fear for it will always come." Next, he tells prospective dates (the bad punctuation is his): "I am a PhD, not a RD :) A Psychologist to be exact. This next part is a bit awkward but if I dont tell you about me, who will :) My personality and profession combine to make me fairly atypical; particularly for a Silicon Valley guy. Y'see I am self aware, comfortable talking about my feelings and I want a partner also able to verbalize her needs and explore our relationship. ... I can be intense, and I have a hunger to fully experience, and be present in, my life."

In the past few years, he says, he has had great success with Internet dating, and he claims to have met about 100 women online. (He's not an expert in cybersexuality for nothing.)

"I'm interested in a family, settling down again," he tells me one evening over dinner. "I hope that will entail love. I'm definitely looking for a wife.

"Is this story going to help me?"