Treatment considerations with children diagnosed with PAS.

• Author: Evans, Robert A.
• Position: Parental alienation syndrome

Frequently in cases in which parental alienation syndrome (PAS) has been determined, courts become concerned with ordering the appropriate mental health treatment for the children involved. There is an abundance of confusion regarding such solutions, and this article will draw upon the available research that addresses this issue and provide suggestions as to treatment interventions.

Parental Alienation Syndrome

Dr. Richard A. Gardner observed, in the conduct of numerous custody evaluations of children, that divorcing families shared common characteristics which he designated parental alienation syndrome, (1) in which one parent, an alienating parent, alienates the child or children from a targeted parent. The alienating parent applies, both consciously and subconsciously, brainwashing and programming techniques in an attempt to alienate the child from the other parent. In the process, the alienating parent commonly denigrates the other parent in front of the child and to other significant adults in the targeted parent's life. An important distinction of PAS from the term "parent alienation" is that the child also contributes to the denigration process of the targeted parent2 The children commonly echo the alienating parent in their complaints regarding the targeted parent. Specific symptoms of PAS (3) are:

Campaign of denigration: denigration of the targeted parent completely, especially in the presence of the alienating parent. The children express profound hatred for the targeted parent.

Weak rationalizations for the denigration: The children base their justification for their alienation on rationalizations that are completely irrational, and ludicrous (for example, "he takes me to Disney World too much"). These children are unable to provide more compelling reasons for their rejection. (4)

Lack of ambivalence: Denigrating statements are often made with a complete lack of ambivalence by the child. That is, there are no mixed feelings with these children; the targeted parent is all "bad" and the alienating parent is all "good."

The "Independent Thinker" phenomenon: The child proudly professes that his or her rejection of the targeted parent is their own doing. They will deny any contributions from the alienating parent, who supports the child in their proclamations. The alienating parent reinforces this contention by making statements such as, "I can't force her to see her dad, if she does not want to."

Reflexive support of the alienating parent: The child automatically takes the position of the alienating parent; even the alienating parent may not present the argument as forcefully as the supporting child.

Absence of guilt: A PAS child typically has no guilt or remorse over the exploitation of the targeted parent. There is frequently a complete absence of gratitude for gifts, support of any kind, or any involvement by the targeted parent in their lives. This lack of guilt cannot be attributed solely to the child's cognitive immaturity, but is related to the brainwashing and programming by the alienating parent. (5)

Presence of borrowed scenarios: The child's presentation carries a rehearsed quality. They use language and expressions that are clearly not their own. Their verbalizations appear to be coached and rehearsed, and the only source of the borrowed scenarios appears to be the alienating parent. (6)

Animosity toward the extended family of the alienated parent: The targeted parent's extended family (e.g., aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents) is included in the animosity. These individuals are also perceived as having negative qualities or using inappropriate actions since they are associated with the targeted parent. Any attempt by the extended family to counter the denigration of the targeted parent is viewed by the child as an attack on his or her beliefs. (7)

Gardner emphasized the psychopathology of the alienating parent. Additionally, this syndrome causes professionals to recognize that children have to cope with intense conflict in divorce situations and to deal with the rejected parent's parenting skills, which typically are not at their highest level. Whatever the etiology of the child's divorce-related psychological conditions that require treatment, improvement usually necessitates both a legal...