Parental Alienation Theory

Family law is fraught with conflict, and few issues spark more debate among mental health and legal professionals than parental alienation. When a child aligns strongly with one parent while rejecting the other—often due to indoctrination rather than legitimate reasons—the consequences can be devastating for families. Yet, professionals remain deeply divided on how to define, diagnose, and address this issue, creating further polarization in both policy and practice. Parental Alienation Theory: