Alan Kent Malyon; Noted Psychologist

A private memorial service is scheduled today for Dr. Alan Kent Malyon, a Los Angeles clinical psychologist who was active in dealing with the emotional problems of gays and lesbians. He died Monday of lung cancer at age 47.

Malyon, who was gay, was president of the division of clinical and professional psychology of the California State Psychological Assn. He also was a founder and president-elect of the Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian and Gay Issues, which became Division 44 of the American Psychological Assn.

He was a past president of the Los Angeles Society of Clinical Psychologists and co-chairman of the American Psychological Assn.’s task force for developing guidelines for working with lesbian and gay clients.

He was the author of numerous articles and papers dealing with chronic pain and with psychotherapy for gays and lesbians.

His published works included: “The Importance of Non-Specific Psychotherapeutic Variables in the Treatment of Male Homosexual Erectile or Ejaculatory Dysfunction,” “Biphasic Aspects of Homosexual Identity Formation” and “The Basic Assumptions Implied by the Diagnosis: Ego-Dystonic Homosexuality.”

He was staff psychologist in the intractable pain unit of the City of Hope.

Born in Indiana in 1941, Malyon was graduated from San Jose State in 1964 and received his doctorate at Texas Tech University in 1974.

In 1984, he won the Silver Psi Award for distinguished contributions to the field of psychology and outstanding service to the California State Psychological Assn.

Malyon is survived by Allen Chivens, his longtime companion; his parents, Marie and Larry Malyon of San Jose, and a sister, Beverly Crue, of Durango, Colo.

Donations can be sent to the American Cancer Society, friends said.