The April edition of the Flying Monkey Newsletter is now available on my website:
April 2016 Flying Monkey Newsletter
The April edition addresses the false justification offered by the flying monkey allies of the pathology that peer-reviewed research is needed in order to make an accurate diagnosis of the pathology as pathogenic parenting that represents a DSM-5 diagnosis of V995.51 Child Psychological Abuse, Confirmed.
Pathogenic parenting that is creating significant developmental pathology in the child (diagnostic indicator 1), personality disorder pathology in the child (diagnostic indicator 2), and delusional-psychiatric pathology in the child (diagnostic indicator 3) in order to meet the emotional and psychological needs of the parent represents a DSM-5 diagnosis of V995.51 Child Psychological Abuse, Confirmed. All of these diagnostic symptom identifiers of the pathology are standard and well-established symptom constructs in professional psychology.
Pathogenic parenting is NOT a proposal of some “new theory” of pathology, but is based entirely within standard and well-established, fully accepted psychological constructs and principles. All of these psychological constructs and principles already have substantial peer-reviewed research foundations. Applying standard and fully established psychological principles and constructs to a child’s symptom set is NOT a “new theory” – it is called diagnosis.
Pathogenic parenting that is creating significant developmental pathology in the child (diagnostic indicator 1), personality disorder pathology in the child (diagnostic indicator 2), and delusional-psychiatric pathology in the child (diagnostic indicator 3) in order to meet the emotional and psychological needs of the parent represents a DSM-5 diagnosis of V995.51 Child Psychological Abuse, Confirmed.
The term “parental alienation” is a popular-culture term used to describe a complex set of family pathology involving the child’s triangulation into the spousal conflict through the formation of a cross-generational coalition of the child with one parent against the other parent (as described by the preeminent family systems therapists Jay Haley and Salvador Minuchin). The pathogenic parenting involves a role-reversal relationship in which the child is being used (manipulated and exploited) as an external “regulatory object” by the allied parent in order to stabilize the emotional and psychological state of the parent.
If anyone wants the peer-reviewed research supporting the diagnosis of pathogenic parenting, the creation of attachment-related pathology, the association of attachment trauma and personality disorder pathology, the child’s triangulation into the spousal conflict through the formation of a cross-generational coalition of the child with one parent against the other parent, or any other aspect of an attachment-based model for the pathology traditionally called “parental alienation,” it is incumbent upon them to identify what aspect of the component psychological constructs and principles they question and need additional peer-reviewed research for. I would be happy to provide this peer-reviewed research on the established and well-documented psychological constructs and principles that form the bases of the diagnosis.
An attachment-based model of the “parental alienation” pathology is NOT a new theory – it is diagnosis.
Pathogenic parenting that is creating significant developmental pathology in the child (diagnostic indicator 1), personality disorder pathology in the child (diagnostic indicator 2), and delusional-psychiatric pathology in the child (diagnostic indicator 3) represents a DSM-5 diagnosis of V995.51 Child Psychological Abuse, Confirmed. This is called diagnosis.
Craig Childress, Psy.D.
Clinical Psychologist, PSY 18857
Dr. Craig Childress: Attachment Based "Parental Alienation" (AB-PA) 
I would love the peer review information as I have lost custody and my child is suffering from all these symptoms. However, I do not know what to ask for as it all seems to apply and I don’t know what might be left out.
Please help me figure out what to ask for so I can proceed with my appeal.
In Chapter 11 of my book, Foundations, I list an initial but substantial portion of the peer-reviewed research and conceptual formulations from respected leaders in professional psychology, such as John Bowlby regarding attachment theory, and Theodore Millon and Otto Kernberg on personality disorder pathology.
However, I’m not sure how you would put to use this research based foundation to describing the pathology in your individual situation. You would need to get the mental health therapist to read and become educated in the component pathologies, which is what I suggest needs to happen in Chapter 11 of Foundations which addresses the issue of Professional Competence.
What needs to happen across all of mental health is we need to establish professional competence in the diagnosis of the pathology traditionally called “parental alienation.” This starts with the mental health professional conducting an appropriate assessment for the pathology of pathogenic parenting, which is the accurate clinical psychology term for the pathology commonly called “parental alienation” in the popular culture. There is a Diagnostic Checklist for Pathogenic Parenting up at the top of my website. If all mental health professionals would simply begin to assess for the diagnostic features of pathogenic parenting this would go a long-long way toward solving the pathology.
Pathogenic parenting that is creating significant developmental pathology in the child (diagnostic indicator 1), personality disorder pathology in the child (diagnostic indicator 2), and delusional-psychiatric pathology in the child (diagnostic indicator 3) in order to meet the emotional and psychological needs of the parent represents a DSM-5 diagnosis of V995.51 Child Psychological Abuse, Confirmed. What we need is for all mental health professional to assess for the pathology.
As we move forward with solving the pathology of “parental alienation” we will begin to increasingly expect and demand (be kind; not angry and belligerent – be kind; but be persistent) that mental health professionals assess for the pathology. I’ll have more to say about this in May when we begin to move forward in earnest on expecting professional competence in the assessment and diagnosis of the pathology.
So if you can get the mental health professional involved in your case to assess for the pathology, that is the first step. If you can get them to email me requesting a professional-to-professional consultation, that would also be an excellent first step. I speak more about my offer for professional-to-professional consultation in several recent Facebook Posts, so you can go to my Facebook page on Parental Alienation and read more about this.
What is important, if not vital, to understand is that you are all in this together. We cannot solve the pathology of “parental alienation” for any single family or child until we solve it for all children and all families. You must come together into a single powerful force demanding change in professional psychology. In an attachment-based model of “parental alienation” I have given you the tools, the weapons, you need in your fight to recover your children. But you must come together as a unified force to wield these weapons for the benefit of all children and all families, not just your own child and your own family. Together you become an unstoppable force. You are more powerful than you know.
Craig Childress, Psy.D.
Clinical Psychologist, PSY 18857
Thank you for your reply. My child’s therapist was picked by my ex and, sadly, seems to be part of the pathology.
I’m here to help and be a part of this. I fear my case is a lost cause and all is in the hands of an abused 14 year old.
Smooth read! It’s the truth! Thanks Dr. Childress. I just abouh threw up when she said it was new. Haha! Good review. 🙈🙉🙊
Reblogged this on Parental Alienation's Dirty Secrets , Akin to Domestic Violence 40 yrs ago.