Parental Alienation: From Couch to Courtroom and Beyond

The previous episodes built the theoretical, historical, and methodological foundation. This episode is where the contemporary empirical literature is laid on top of that foundation. Here we reframe the question: does parental alienation exist? The debate is not whether PA exists but whether institutions are willing to use the evidence; the prevalence literature — Harman and colleagues; the survivor literature — Baker; the reformulation literature — Kelly and Johnston; the nosology literature — Bernet and the ICD-11; international legal and legislative recognition; the implication — what all of this means for practitioners and for parents.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

This episode moves through cognitive psychology, developmental science, and forensic interview methodology. This episode: establishes that basic cognitive science demonstrates that memory is constructive, not reproductive; discusses Elizabeth Loftus’ research as to what happens when that constructive system is subjected to systematic adult suggestion; reviews the Satanic Panic period and the McMartin case that shows what happens when institutional contexts amplify suggestion on a mass scale; and then maps the mechanism directly onto the alienating parent’s operation on the child’s memory system. Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

This episode contains a three-part structure 1.  Who Richard Gardner actually was; 2. What he actually wrote; 3. What was done to his reputation and why. Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

We will examine the full taxonomy of parental alienation — the behavioral indicators, the severity levels, the alienating behaviors — and we will introduce the intellectual lineage that runs from Sigmund Freud through John Bowlby through Margaret Mahler to Richard Gardner: a lineage that tells us something important about why alienation works, because it exploits precisely the developmental architecture that defines a child’s earliest and most consequential relationships.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

This episode is the first in a new series. We will discuss a quick review of parental alienation with a brief introduction to the science and research behind it, as well as the beginning of a counter-argument to the deniers and antagonists of the phenomenon. Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

This episode welcomes Kelley A. Baker, Ph.D. to discuss the Center for Relational Care and its compassionate guidance for families navigating separation, custody, and new beginnings Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

This is an overview of misinformation and disinformation frequently encountered in cross-examination in parental alienation family law cases. Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

This episode discusses the human experience and relational life therapy with Elyse Killoran Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

In this episode, Dr. Michael Bone and Dr. Evans discuss different roles of professionals in Parental Alienation cases. Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

Parental Alienation presents very specific and identifiable patterns. This episode begins the presentation of applying pattern analysis to parental alienation, improving the distinction between alienating behaviors and other behaviors in high conflict divorces. Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

This is a discussion of the consistent, reliable and valid pattern of alienating behaviors found across family law cases. The discussion includes ideas for informing judges as to how to recognize the patterns and equate these behaviors to child abuse. Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

In this episode, Robert A. Evans, Ph.D. and Dr. Michael Bone, Ph.D. discuss the role of the Guardian ad Litem in custody cases with parental alienation. Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

This is the first in a series of podcasts with Michael Bone, Ph.D. that will examine the various roles of professionals that can be found in family law cases that involve Parental Alienation. We will discuss potential issues that can arise with these roles (e.g., GaL, Custody Evaluators, Judges, etc.) as it pertains to Parental Alienation. Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

In this episode, we discuss the resist and refuse phenomenon of parental alienation.  Dr. Evans discusses the following:Understanding Parental AlienationLooking at the potential causesThe impact on childrenAddressing Parental Alienation Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

Splitting behavior in children is frequently seen but almost always misunderstood. It is not evidence of child abuse as one might think, but a form of adjustment for children. Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

In this episode, we discuss Nick Woodall's article which presented the psycho-dynamics of child splitting in cases of parental alienation. I include looking at what works and what doesn't for intervention.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

All too often legal and mental health professionals focus strictly on the rejected parent and alienated child's relationship. The real pathology is actually in the other direction. The focus needs to be on favored parent and the child. Because it is counter instinctual (unnatural; biologically inconsistent) for a child to reject a parent, when this is observed in family court cases we need to pay attention. And the details are in the pathological relationship. Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

Alienation cases frequently find the professionals associated with the case also split in advocating for one side or the other when in fact they are supposed to be neutral or at a minimum supporting the child. Frequently researchers publish "me-search" supporting a position that reflects their bias. All one has to do is dig into their references and you that they quote others who have simply said the same unsupported statements. While all this is going on the children are left in an abusive, alienating relationship. Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

In this episode, we talk to J. Michael Bone, PhD, a parental alienation expert and consultant. Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

A brief review of an article by Drs. Bernet, Wamboldt, and Narrow which presents a mental condition that is in the DSM-V-TR essentially describes Parental Alienation.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

Am. Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization recognizes Parental Alienation as being included in existing diagnoses and mental conditions. This episode reveals communications between the Parental Alienation Study Group (PASG) and the APA that establishes Parental Alienation as a mental disorders as incorporated into existing diagnoses. Also, a discussion on such controversy regarding the words "diagnosis", and "mental condition" is provided.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

The stereotyping, name calling of the target parent gets very little attention in our litigation cases, but the research in this area suggests it's a much bigger assault than is recognized.  This episode presents some of the social psychological research that presents a warning.   Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

This episode discusses some common myths about parental alienation that are commonly found in court rooms around America.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

In this episode, we briefly introduce the social psychology perspective of parental alienation. Spinning of the work of Dr. Zimbardo, a social psychologist who examine the evil doings of some ordinary people, we explored the notion that parental alienation can go beyond just the individual.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

Parental Alienation cases don't always present themselves immediately and favored parents enter therapists' offices with hidden agenda. The indications that a therapist is about to be lured into a case are not always blatant and obvious. As it turns out this information is not taught in graduate schools and therapists frequently have to learn these the hard way.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

More on the counter-intuitive nature of parental alienation. Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

This is a brief announcement about a pre-conference training being held in Colorado this coming June on the topic of Therapy With Families in Divorce: What You Didn't Learn in Grad School.  Date:  Friday, June 16, 2023Time:   9:00am to 3:00pmLocation:  Colorado State UniversityLory Student CenterLongs Peak Room #302Fort Collins, CO 80523Register for your seat today:  https://naopas-learning-center.thinkific.com/courses/therapy-with-families Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

A brief discussion on how courts are receiving parental alienation and some of the key features of parental alienation on which they are relying.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

A severe, but frequently overlooked and understood dysfunction is boundary violation. It clearly meets the definition of abuse, whether it is directed toward a child or an adult. Counselors and mental health professionals must pay more and closer attention to this issue.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

Psychological splitting is the underlying defense seen in children who have been manipulated to align with one parent and reject the other parent. Courts and therapists need to be informed about how detrimental psychological splitting is and identify the correct procedure to treat these children. Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

This episode is a continuation of episode 12 where the effects the alienating strategies on children is presented. Research shows these strategies and tactics have a strong negative effect on children.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

Far too many legal and mental health professionals lack a comprehensive knowledge of Parental Alienation and, as a result, do damage to children.  Albeit they're unaware of it. There is a critical need for such professionals working in this field to be thoroughly educated in Parental Alienation. This episode covers some of the strategies/tactics parents employ and suggests some of the damage that is done to children as a result.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

Parental Alienation practitioners have wanted an assessment instrument to help identify alienated children. The PARQ has been demonstrated to be such an instrument and found to be highly reliable and valid.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

This episode discusses a new journal article that presents strong research about parental alienation and refutes some of the critics of the phenomenon of parental alienation.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

A new law in the U.S. Senate poses serious problems for those dealing with the phenomenon of parental alienation. We all need to take steps to alert our law makers to amend this bill before passage.Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

This episode explains the identification process of parental alienation cases and points out the pit falls frequently found in alienation cases, including the serious consequences of failing to properly identify such cases.  Also, don't forget to go to NAOPAS.com and type in the word podcast in the coupon section in order to get your 50% discount on all the training opportunities available on the site.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

Our court system routinely orders counseling and therapy for severe alienation cases and consistently these approaches fail. Courts need to know why this doesn't work.Also, don't forget to go to NAOPAS.com and type in the word podcast in the coupon section in order to get your 50% discount on all the training opportunities available on the site.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

The components of parental alienation are discussed so therapists and legal professionals can investigate and identify the details commonly associated with this phenomenon.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

John Bowlby's attachment theory is a vital component to the phenomenon of Parental Alienation.  Attachment is a key to understanding the onset and the consequences of Parental Alienation. This is an introduction to this aspect of Parental Alienation.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

This is a presentation reviewing Dr. Philip Zimbardo's book The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil and how this work is related to the phenomenon of Parental Alienation.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

Attachment  or bonding is a critical process for humans. It determines how we interact with the world, not only as we develop into adults, but it plays a significant role in our ability to parent later on in life.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

This episode focuses on Dr. S. Ceci's work on memory and memory contamination. Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

This episode discusses research on false memories.  Topic includes a case Elizabeth Loftus, Ph.D. was involved in regarding the wrongful conviction of Steve Titus and how false memories contributed to his incarceration. Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.

This first episode introduces the concept of Parental Alienation and begins to explain how the phenomenon can happen in children who previously have had a loving, attached relationship with a parent.  Please visit www.naopas.com or www.drbobevans.com for more information on parental alienation and Dr. Evans.