Creative Therapeutics Description: We come to expect innovative ideas, insightful perceptions, and pointers to positive change from Richard Gardner. This book of eight chapters, 348 pages, is no exception. Building upon his earlier descriptions of his concept of the parental alienation syndrome, this book offers a more complete description and adds suggestions for treatment and disposition that show Dr. Gardner's compassion for children and parents caught in the stress of dissolving families. The first chapter sets forth a brief history of the
development of the adversary system of justice, the arena where disputes about custody of children are settled.
Dr.
Gardner also presents his basic criticism of the adversary approach. The
second chapter describes the history of attitudes and beliefs that formed the
basis for settling custody disputes. Some of this material may be familiar to
readers of Dr. Gardner's earlier books. Next, behaviors that Dr. Gardner sees
as representing the parental alienation syndrome are detailed. Guidelines for
professionals who evaluate families and children in custody conflicts are
presented next, followed by a chapter offering guidelines for judges,
attorneys, and others in the justice system who may be involved in
adjudicating marital conflicts. Chapter six gives suggestions for mental
health professionals in the treatment of families showing the parental
alienation syndrome. Chapter seven discusses legal considerations that may
bear on the behaviors characteristic of the syndrome. The final chapter offers
suggestions for changes and improving the system to prevent the damage done to
all members of the family by the parental alienation syndrome. Discussion: Those who wonder why there is so much litigation taking place today will find some answers from Dr. Gardner's description and criticism of the adversary system of justice. He shows how this developed in the English speaking world and contrasts it with other systems of justice that do not rely upon a disguised trial by combat. He is outspoken and firm in his criticisms and does not mince words. Because of the weaknesses in adversary justice, Dr. Gardner believes it is the wrong place and the wrong way to handle marital conflicts and disputes over children. He is aware of the deep emotion and basic reality of parental bonding and attachment to children and sees the adversary system as ignoring that reality and exacerbating the damage done to families, parents and children. In adding to his description of the parental alienation syndrome, based upon his continuing experience with the behaviors, he emphasizes that it is not just brainwashing by a parent but rather that children come to hate and disdain the unloved parent. He believes that this fact predicts a strong likelihood of severe emotional distress and psychiatric disturbance in later adult life. Therefore he maintains that the parent who encourages and supports the development of the parental alienation syndrome is guilty of emotional abuse of the children. For this reason, it is imperative that mental health professionals involved in any evaluative process consider this possibility and know how to recognize it. Based upon his more recent experience Dr. Gardner offers a provisional taxonomy for the parental alienation syndrome. He suggests that there are three distinct types — severe, moderate, and mild — although there is some continuity. His analysis of the dynamics of mothers and fathers who develop the alienation in their child is detailed and persuasive, although it depends heavily upon analytically oriented concepts. The guidelines offered for mental health professionals are succinct, clear, and practical. There is no excuse for a mental health professional to miss or ignore the pattern. However, here Dr. Gardner does not seem to be fully aware of the extent to which positive countertransference affects many mental health professionals and may result in avoidance of perceiving the behaviors as typifying the parental alienation syndrome. Dr. Gardner does not hesitate to point out the failures and shortcomings of family court judges when they interview children, ask questions, and make decisions. He views many judges as woefully ignorant and uninformed and his criticisms are pungent but not hostile and angry. Jurists would do well to consider his insights and the solutions he offers. The suggestions Dr. Gardner makes for treatment may well be the most controversial. When there is severe parental alienation he makes a good case for giving custody to the parent who is the object of the alienation. He regards parents who encourage and develop the parental alienation as so flawed and troubled that they cannot be accepted as custodial parents. He predicts that to expose a child to that level of parental pathology may well destroy the child as a functional human being. It would take a judge of rare courage, however, to actually make such a disposition. Most judges hedge their bets and protect their careers and thus avoid difficult decisions. In less than severe cases the treatment suggestions involve the alienated parent much more actively in the life of the child than may be the usual and customary pattern. The guidelines for judges in making custody decisions, if followed, would result in decisions very different than those now being made but may well produce much less difficulty for the children of divorce. Dr. Gardner's suggestions for changes in the system reflect his dismay with the adversarial system of justice. They may appear unrealistic and improbable. However, the growing movement toward extra-legal methods of dispute resolution, including mediation and non-courtroom settings, suggest there is a possibility his recommendations may be worked into the system. At the very least they can contribute to the ongoing discussion of how we may improve the manner of dealing with failed marriages, lost hopes, and diminished visions. This book can be read with much profit by all the professionals involved in dealing with the resolution of marital conflicts and custody disputes. Reviewed by Ralph Underwager, Institute for Psychological Therapies, Northfield, Minnesota.
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