Gottlieb, L. J: The Parental Alienation Syndrome: A Family Therapy and Collaborative Systems Approach to Amelioration

Excerpt

The Parental Alienation Syndrome by Linda Gottlieb is a well thought-out book that examines every facet of Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS). The book begins by identifying the eight main symptoms of PAS. Gottlieb focuses on how alienating parents reprogram their children to reject the other parent. She provides numerous case examples of PAS in families, as well as interviews with other professionals, including divorce attorneys. Next, Gottlieb provides information on treatment interventions and how structural family therapy should be the recognized approach to treat PAS. Much of this book focuses on Gottlieb’s personal experiences as a therapist working with families who are dealing with PAS. Gottlieb draws a critical link between our judicial system and the responsibility of mental health professionals to recognize and understand PAS. She identifies “New Rules,” which outline general recognition of PAS by all mental health fields and a laundry list of strategies to increase awareness of and appropriate treatment for PAS. Finally, “Judicial Recommendations” are proactive recommendations made for attorneys and the court system to recognize PAS and provide a fair judicial process for every family member. All of the elements of this book aim to keep PAS from enabling victimization of these families. …