Mediate Michigan

A very interesting article by Janell Ross about the dispute among therapists over adding “parental alienation” to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM ) may be found here.

The DSM is a tool published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and used by therapists to diagnose and treat mental disorders.  Vanderbilt University psychiatrist William Bernet and over 50 colleagues are pushing for the next edition of the DSM to include ‘parental alienation’ as a recognized mental disorder.

The article notes:

“Parental alienation, as defined by Bernet and more than 50 colleagues around the country and the world who are pushing for its inclusion in the reference tome, is a form of brainwashing that occurs only in a small number of highly contentious breakups.”

“The concept has vocal critics who fear some decision-makers may not be able to distinguish parental alienation from genuine danger. But the scenario of one parent attempting to turn children against another is familiar to anyone who works in family law or counseling.”

The article further notes:

“But not every mental health professional is ready to welcome parental alienation into the reference books. Some are actively campaigning to block the definition, fearing that it could do terrible harm to abused spouses and children who have a legitimate reason to fear one of their parents.”

“The National Network to End Domestic Violence and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges have campaigned to prevent several states from recognizing parental alienation as a phenomenon affecting children and families.”

“William Kenner, a Nashville child and forensic psychiatrist, objects to the classification, fearing it could backfire on battered spouses and abused children in court.”

“Kenner has doubts that courts can reliably and readily tell the difference between false parental alienation claims and real abuse.”

The APA will make a decision on whether to include ‘parental alienation’ in it’s next edition in January.