Physiologically, they are reacting to their world in a very different way than the attorney who is sitting there trying to understand their situation. Rationally, this is expected, but in all likelihood, the attorney is not thinking about that at all. Yet, the physical state of the client is effecting the attorney’s ability to work effectively with them and get the job done.

1. What topics in the behavioral sciences are most relevant to your work with families?
2. In working with families, what is your primary concern as it relates to mental health issues?
3. How much testing do you expect in your work with mental health professionals?
4. What tests do you look for?
5. Are you getting enough information about the validity and reliability of psychological tests?
6. Is stress a factor in your work? If so, is it related to your stress or your client's, or both?
7. What can mental health professionals do to make a more useful/effective contribution to your work with families?
8. What questions do you have regarding mental health professionals that would like to ask?

Feature Article:
During divorce some parents inflict emotional harm to their children by their actions and through negative verbal assaults about the other parent. These attacks are sometimes made directly to the child or to others within hearing distance of the child. This is a form of emotional abuse!

PAS, as coined by Dr. Richard Gardner in 1987, is not without controversy. I will present some the anti-PAS issues in another issue.

The symptoms of PAS include the child engaging in a campaign of denigration against the alienated parent. They will typically present weak, frivolous or absurd rationalizations for their position. The children will frequently lack any ambivalence about their position. It is common for PAS children to present their attitude as their idea and no one put them up to this. While they maintain an adamant position against one parent, they present a reflexive support of the alienating parent. There is a noticeable absence of guilt or concern for the alienated parent and frequently they will express borrowed scenarios from the supported parent.

Children who suffer with PAS typically display most if not all of the above. In some cases children will display even more symptoms. I mentioned, in a previous newsletter, it is crucial to keep in mind when there is evidence of physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect or poor parenting, there is no PAS, but there may be parent alienation.

Dr. Gardner is very clear in that the cause of PAS is the programming by the alienating parent in conjunction with the contributions by the child. That is, in addition to the alienating parent's behavior the child presents their own scenarios of denigration that contribute and combine with that of the alienating parent.

The detractors of PAS are quick to point out that in conducting a custody evaluation the child's behavior may not be related to PAS at all, but may be the result of other issues. To Be Continued!

I hope this information is helpful, until next time, sincerely, Robert A. Evans, Ph.D.