“Remedy: The manner in which a right is enforced or satisfied by a court when some harm or injury, recognized by society as a wrongful act, is inflicted upon an individual.”
I am a psychologist, not an attorney. For legal advice consult an attorney and follow the advice of your attorney.
When the three diagnostic indicators of attachment-based “parental alienation” are present, treatment requires the protective separation of the child from the pathogenic parenting of the narcissistic/(borderline) parent during the treatment and recovery stabilization period.
We cannot ask the child to expose his or her authenticity until we can first protect the child.
“Parental alienation” is not a child custody issue, it is a child protection issue. The first and only consideration should be the child’s welfare.
When the three diagnostic indicators of attachment-based “parental alienation” are present, the child’s welfare requires the protective separation of the child from the psychopathology and pathogenic parenting of the narcissistic/(borderline) parent during the active phase of the child’s treatment and recovery stabilization.
Achieving the required protective separation requires the cooperation of the Courts.
Courts, however, are not psychologists. Superficially, the child appears bonded to the narcissistic/(borderline) parent. The psychologically destructive impact of the role-reversal is not overly evident. Courts may be reluctant to do what’s necessary, and may desire a more moderate response.
Until Courts recognize the severity of the pathology involved, we must work with the legal system as it is. Under the current conditions, providing judges with an alternative that is both balanced and temperate may help achieve a resolution.
Toward that end, I have developed a possible remedy that may be acceptable to the Court. It involves a scientifically grounded and evidenced-based approach to resolving “parental alienation.” This potential remedy employs a standard scientific research methodology called a single-case ABA design (actually a single-case ABAB reversal design).
(In addition to teaching graduate-level courses in psychopathology, treatment planning, and child development, I also teach courses in research methodology.)
I have posted a description of this approach to my website, just below the Therapy article, and a direct link to the single-case ABA design article is at:
If a Court wishes to employ this approach, I would be happy to consult with a psychologist in supervising the implementation of the single-case design.
Craig Childress, Psy.D.
Clinical Psychologist, PSY 18857
Dr. Craig Childress: Attachment Based "Parental Alienation" (AB-PA) 