PAI_Newsletter_July_2021 (1)

Parental Alienation International
Advancing worldwide understanding in the field of parental alienation
www.pasg.info
July 2021 Parental Alienation Study Group Volume 6 • Issue 4

PASG 2021 in Brussels: Opportunities
to Sponsor pg 4

Second Revision of Splitting: Protecting Yourself
While Divorcing Someone with Borderline or
Narcissistic Personality Disorder pg 6

Parent-Child Relationships During Parenting
Disputes Research pg 7

Coping with Parental Alienation pg 8

Remembering Justice John Gomery pg 10
July 2021 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S Volume 6 • Issue 4
News About PASG
3 Editorial: Pioneers
Mandy Matthewson
4 PASG 2021 in Brussels: Opportunities to Sponsor
6 Second Revision of Splitting: Protecting Yourself While Divorcing Someone with

Borderline or Narcissistic Personality Disorder
7 Parent-Child Relationships During Parenting Disputes Research

Dr. Mandy Matthewson
Columns
8 Coping with Parental Alienation

By Anonymous
10 Remembering Justice John Gomery

By Brian Ludmer
13 Recent Publications
Compiled by Robert Ferrer
Departments
23 Contact Information for PASG Officers and PAI Editors
24 About the Parental Alienation Study Group
24 About Parental Alienation International
Cover Photo by Jonathon Young • Unsplash
Parental Alienation Study Group

July 2021 2 www.pasg.info
E D I T O R I A L
Pioneers
By Mandy Matthewson
WELCOME TO THE FOURTH ISSUE of the Parental Alienation International for 2021.
This issue of the PAI begins with a call for sponsorship of PASG 2021 in Brussels. All details on how to
sponsor PASG 2021 are inside this issue. Please consider sponsoring this important event.
Also, in this issue of the PAI, is an announcement about the second revision of Splitting: Protecting
Yourself While Divorcing Someone with Borderline or Narcissistic Personality Disorder by Bill Eddy and
Randi Kreger. The new revision includes chapters on alienation and false allegations.
When I’m not putting together the PAI, one of my other roles is head researcher of the Family and
Interpersonal Relationships Research Lab (FaIRLab) at the University of Tasmania. We conduct research
into parental alienation and parent-child relationships. We are currently conducting research into the
effects of parents’ behaviours on the children of separated families. If you are a child custody/parenting
dispute evaluator or therapist who works with families having parenting disputes, please complete our
survey. Details on how to complete the survey are inside.
In this issue, the Targeted Parents’ column is the story of how an alienated father copes with being
alienated from his children. The alienated father’s story shows the importance of becoming knowledgeable
in parental alienation, learning and using coping skills and reaching out to social support.
In our Legal Column, Brian Ludmer pays tribute to the late Justice Gomery.
Justice Gomery was a Judge of the Superior Court and a true pioneer in our
challenging area of professional practice. Justice Gomery passed away on
18th May, 2021.
Vale Justice John Gomery. PHOTO: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Robert Ferrer summarises recent publications on parental alienation. Robert showcases the work of
Dr Wilfrid von Boch-Galhau. Dr von Boch-Galhau is a pioneer in parental alienation research and
practice. He recently announced his retirement.
Congratulations and thank you Dr von Boch-Galhau for your significant contribution and dedication to
our field. I hope retirement brings peace and happiness.
I hope you enjoy the July issue of the PAI.
Best wishes to you all. 

N E W S A B O U T P A S G
Thurs 9 – Fri 10
September 2021
PASG 2021 in Brussels: Opportunities to Sponsor

PASG MEMBERS KNOW THAT PASG 2021 will occur in Brussels, Belgium, in September 2021. The
conference will occur “rain or shine.” That is, if possible, audience members will participate both in person
and online. If travel is limited, we anticipate that the presenters (mostly from Europe) will assemble in Brussels
and the program will be delivered online.
You can find the final version of the PASG 2021 program at https://familyties2021.eu/ The presentations are
primarily devoted to the prevention and early intervention of parental alienation. The venue for PASG 2021 is
the beautiful headquarters building of the European Parliament. The audiovisual capabilities are excellent; we
are set up to broadcast the presentations in four languages. PASG has grown in recent years; we now have more
than 800 members from 62 countries.
PASG members and their organizations may want to be an official sponsor of PASG 2021. If you are interested,
take a look at the sponsorship agreement on the following page. The sponsorships have been organized at three
levels ($10,000, $5,000, and $2,000), although PASG obviously welcomes contributions of any size. Of course,
PASG is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation; our identification number is on the Sponsorship Agreement form.
Note that the form primarily pertains to North America, where donations are made in U.S. dollars and should
be mailed to William Bernet in Nashville, Tennessee. If you are in Europe and prefer to make your donation
in Euros, contact the Co-Chair of the Conference Executive Committee, Olivier Vanhaelen, at
olivier@vanhaelen.be.
If you want your contribution to be acknowledged in the program book, the deadline for submitting your
information is August 10, 2021. 

FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF PARENTAL ALIENATION STUDY GROUP
SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT
What is Parental Alienation Study Group? PASG—a nonprofit corporation—consists of more than 800
individuals who have a special interest in parental alienation. Our members come from 62 countries on six
continents. Our membership includes clinicians; forensic practitioners (psychologists and psychiatrists);
attorneys and judges; alienated parents and grandparents; and family advocates. In the U.S., PASG is tax-
exempt under 501(c)(3); the identification number is 46-5096749.
What is the Fourth International Conference of Parental Alienation Study Group? PASG 2021 primarily
addresses the prevention of parental alienation. Mental health and legal professionals and the public are invited.
Also, researchers, targeted parents and grandparents, and child advocates who are interested in high-conflict
families and parental alienation. The two-day conference will occur at the European Parliament building in
Brussels, Belgium, during September 9–10, 2021. Simultaneous translation will be provided in four languages.
What are sponsorship opportunities for PASG 2021? Individuals, organizations, and businesses are invited
to support this conference by making a donation to PASG. The donation levels are $10,000, $5,000, and $2,000.
Sponsors will be identified and thanked in the program book, which will be distributed at the conference and
also sent to all members of PASG. Interested parties should complete this form. The deadline for inclusion in
the program book is August 10, 2021.
Information to be included in program book for PASG 2021:
Name of sponsor (i.e., a person, organization, or business):

_________________________________________________________________________________________
Location of sponsor (i.e., city, state, country):

_________________________________________________________________________________________
Level of sponsorship:
[ ] Platinum ($10,000) [ ] Gold ($5,000) [ ] Silver ($2,000)
Name and address of sponsor:

_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Email of sponsor:__________________________________________________________________________
Submit Agreement: Mail this form with a check (made out to Parental Alienation Study Group) to:
William Bernet, M.D.
President, Parental Alienation Study Group
1313 Twenty-first Avenue South
209 Oxford House
Nashville, TN 37232, USA

Splitting: Protecting Yourself While Divorcing Someone with Borderline

or Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Splitting: Protecting Yourself While Divorcing Someone with Borderline or Narcissistic
Personality
By Bill Eddy and Randi Kreger Disorder.
IS OUT NOW IN ITSBy Bill Eddy

SECOND and Randi Kreger.
REVISION.
Is out now
Read more about the second in its
revision second revision.
here
Read more about the second revision here


T A R G E T E D P A R E N T S ’ C O L U M N
Coping with Parent Alienation

By Anonymous
I WAS ASKED TO TELL my individual story about my experience being an alienated father and how I cope
with the trauma in my life. Like many other parents who are going through a divorce I quickly became aware
that the relationship with my daughter was at best going to be very tenuous. It has been almost two years since
the separation with my wife and I have not been able to see or speak with our daughter. I have reached out
through the phone, email, texts and sending cards and gifts. It is pretty much radio silence on the other side. It
has been a real gift to be part of ISNAF and to be able to connect with other parents that either have reunified
with their children or parents that face grieving the loss of their relationship with their children. To deal with
my struggles I have attended both individual and group therapy. I have learned about personality disorders and
their role in PA. I have also been studying Buddhism, mindfulness and surrounded myself with friends and
family that allow me to focus on my own growth.
The thought that I would not see my daughter for two years after never being away from her for fifteen
minutes was not even fathomable. As I studied parent alienation, I learned that it is very common for the alien-
ated parent to be caught off guard and underestimate losing contact with their children that they love. I also re-
alized as many of us do, that the alienation was taking place for years. My parents and family had already been
pretty much alienated from our daughter and myself because of my wife. Over the years “to keep the peace” I
sheltered my family from the difficulties I was experiencing in my home. It was not fair to burden them with
the ramifications of my choice to marry her. I felt that maybe “if I tried harder” my wife would see how she was
acting and things would get better. I enabled her and that was something our daughter observed. What I have
learned is our daughter would have benefited more if I had taken a stand or left earlier. She observed a male
father figure that should have led vs. being led and emasculated. Both parents must be happy and complete peo-
ple. Though I cannot change what occurred I have continued to improve and learn from my mistakes.
I feel it has been a real gift to be part of ISNAF. I realized I was not alone and I could depend on the members
of ISNAF for guidance and support. I could remain hopeful that reunification with my daughter could happen
someday. Being able to hear stories from other members who spent many years trying to reconnect and actually
reuniting with some if not all of the kids was comforting. I also got to hear from other parents like myself who
have not reunified but have improved their lives through setting goals and improving their mental and physical
health.
I have always been a person that feels we need to learn from our struggles. As I became aware of parent alien-
ation I researched through the internet and YouTube for any information I could gather related to parental
alienation. I find it therapeutic and calming to gain knowledge and come up with my own strategies through my
research to see how I would like to go forward with my life. What I have learned is to focus on the things that
I can control in my life and let go of the things and people who wish to control me. Having a community such
as ISNAF has helped me learn that I am not alone and that there are other people I can learn from. I also have
been able to help others because of my experiences. The grief program was one of the preliminary steps that
helped me deal with the loss I was experiencing. We were asked to design a Vision Board which I refer to all
the time. I attend many of the phone calls and monthly meetings and that keeps me connected.
I have also used this time to focus on me. I was in a marriage for close to 20 years and I had to relearn who I
am. My role was caretaker to everyone else and it was a real adjustment to know what I wanted for myself. I
surrounded myself around family and friends that wanted the best for me. They also said focus on you and take
care of yourself. I attended group therapy and worked with an individual therapist. My therapist told me to get

a puppy which I did and that has been the best advice I got. The unconditional love and responsibility I have for
my puppy has been the best therapy.
I also have been studying Buddhism and Mindfulness. The Buddhism has been great because I can work on my
pain and struggles and not place blame on my ex. It has taught me to have compassion for her pain and strug-
gles. I truly believe she cannot help herself. The gift I received is that I can make my life better. I cannot control
her, but I can enjoy my life and make good choices for myself. The final element in “my secret sauce” is the
adoption of Mindfulness. By connecting to my center and being present I can deal with my struggles.
I want to thank ISNAF and its members for allowing me to be a part of such an important organization. This is
a group that none of us want to be a part of. To have to deal with the loss of your living children is so difficult.
I constantly try to come up with ways to reconnect with my daughter. At this point there does not seem to be a
way into her life. I hope to be one of the parents telling my story of reunification with this awesome group.
I wish all of us peace and love. We all have each other and for that I am grateful. 
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L E G A L C O L U M N
Remembering Justice John Gomery

By Brian Ludmer
AT THE PHILADELPHIA CONFERENCE held by PASG in 2019, there was an

extraordinary plenary session where there were multiple presentations given by leading
Brian Ludmer members of PASG in honour/memory of the first generation of pioneers in this difficult
area of professional practice.
I don’t recall, however, any tribute to a legal pioneer. Therefore, when it was reported in the National Post (one
of Canada’s leading daily newspapers) in May 2021 that Justice John Gomery had passed at the age of 88, it
occurred to me that a tribute to a legal pioneer would be an appropriate topic for this column.
The late Justice Gomery was a Judge of the Superior Court of the Province of Québec, where he distinguished
himself as a jurist, not the least of which is in the case referred to below. He later went on to fame for some of
the work he did in a Judicial Inquiry.
Justice Gomery studied law at McGill University and worked in private practice in Montréal before being made
a Judge in 1982. During his career on the bench, he led a team of judges that reformed statutory approaches to
Family Law, which he later described as one of his proudest accomplishments. He retired to his farm southwest
of Montreal in 2007, but remained active in public life.
A search of historical jurisprudence shows the somewhat undeveloped state of the law in the late 1980s when
Dr. Gardner was formulating his construct of what was then referred to as “parental alienation syndrome.” As
various publications of PASG members have shown, the earliest references to these concepts can be found in
US and UK jurisprudence in the early 1800s and there is a fairly long history of the use of the phrase “parental
alienation” in many contexts. However, with some notable exceptions, Canadian responses were unsophisti-
cated and cautious and not evidence-based.
A pertinent example can be found in the Province of British Columbia. In the early 1990’s and extending
through the bulk of the 1990’s, there was the unfortunate case of Hart vs. Hart, where the concept of “parental
alienation” was dealt with. However, only a tepid and ineffective intervention resulted for the child, who had
been wrongfully withheld from his mother for many years. The lack of effective and expedient and timely inter-
vention could not protect the child from the trauma and ultimately a death by suicide resulted. This saga is the
subject of the book “A Kidnapped Mind” written by my good friend Pamela Richardson in memory of her son
Dash https://akidnappedmind.com
It was in this rather undeveloped legal landscape that Justice Gomery conducted a Trial in Montréal with judge-
ment rendered February 15, 1991. This decision, known by its acronym PSM vs AJLC, is still required reading
today, more than 30 years later, for the tremendously insightful analysis and Judicial statements of understand-
ing of child development and children’s needs, as well as for the remedy imposed.
Some of the early insight from this case was only empirically validated by other PASG members decades later,
such as the statement by a social worker quoted in the Judgement as follows: “The complete and total rejection
of a parent is almost never seen, even in cases where that rejected parent has abandoned or abused a child.”
The recognition of the dangers to the future mental health of alienated children, years prior to the well-quoted
peer-reviewed work of various PASG members, is stated in the Judgment as follows: “…[all four children]
have chosen to renounce and suppress their natural feelings for the mother they love, or loved until the

marriage broke down, and to identify themselves totally with the hatred for her, which animates their father.
The Court cannot remain indifferent to the danger to their future emotional stability this behaviour represents.”
The dangers of a “one-sided assessment,” a common tactic of alienators who unilaterally take the children to
see a therapist who will have no input from the other parent, was recognized as follows: “The Court has the
impression that Dr. Lefevre allowed herself to be used by the Defendant. A Psychological Assessment which
does not attempt to include the point of view of one of the parents is of limited value, and no explanation is
attempted as to why the children were so openly hostile to their mother, for whom they had had great affection
until only a short time before.”
PASG board member Dr. Abe Worenklein was involved in that case and provided thorough input on the
dynamic the children faced. With the input from Dr. Worenklein, Justice Gomery specifically referred to Dr.
Gardner’s work (this Trial taking place only several years after Dr. Gardner started publishing his analysis) and
Justice Gomery provided the following pertinent insight: “The rejected parent is in a situation where he or she
cannot do anything which is not perceived by the child as being bad or wicked. Even the most innocent remark
or gesture is used by the child as evidence justifying the child’s alienation.”
The absence of empathy (both a key diagnostic criterion and an essential target of reconciliation therapy) is
demonstrated by Justice Gomery writing: “the children have seen their mother weeping on many occasions,
and they unanimously conclude that she is faking and that that is a demonstration of her lack of sincerity. They
do not seem to be able to comprehend that their contemptuous rejection of her causes her genuine grief.”
The failure of conventional therapeutic interventions was also recognized by the Court: “Mrs. Greenberg
testified about the failure of her attempts at therapy, a failure which she attributes to the systematic obstruction
of her efforts by the Defendant.”
The Decision recognized the necessity to take children’s views and preferences in context where it appears they
are not genuine:
“…the desires and preferences of each child are factors to be taken into consideration, particularly in
cases where the child’s wishes are freely expressed and are not influenced by pressure or manipulation. In
this case, the wishes of the children, especially the younger children, may be safely ignored because they
are the result of distortions of the truth that their father has told them, and the psychological pressure to
which they have been subjected” … “Children do not always know what is best for them. The law leaves
it to the Court to decide this question, when their parents are unable to agree, and the law does not state
anywhere that the Court must be guided by what the children have to say, although it does require that
they should be given an opportunity to be heard.”
Of the targeted parent, the Court observed:
“This case represents an extreme example of parental alienation syndrome. Plaintiff is not a perfect
person and has not always acted wisely. She loses her temper at times and may use inappropriate lan-
guage on those occasions. But nothing that she has said or done could remotely explain or justify the
rejection and hostility to which she has been subjected at the hands of her children. She is, if anything,
the woman who loves her children more than the average mother. She has never mistreated them. She
is not mentally unstable as the children repeatedly suggest; indeed, her persistence and determination
in pursuing this action are proof of a remarkable capacity to absorb rejection and humiliation and to
continue to function in an optimistic manner.”

Of the alienating parent, the Court had the following observations and some great judicial rhetoric:
“Defendant has deliberately poisoned the minds of his children against the mother that they formerly
loved and needed. In the Court’s opinion, a father who would act in this way represents a grave and
persistent danger to the mental and emotional health of his children.”
“Hatred is not an emotion that comes naturally to a child. It has to be taught. The person who has
taught the children to hate is their father. They would be better off if he were to be removed totally as
an influence upon their development until they are able to withstand and reject his negative attitudes.”
As a result, Justice Gomery reversed primary residence and placed the younger two children with the targeted
mother, while the older two children were deemed to be beyond the capability of being saved.
Interestingly, Justice Gomery alluded to one of the key criteria that would later be developed in Canadian
jurisprudence when determining whether a placement with the targeted parent (and at least a temporary timeout
for the favoured parent) can be justified: “…the determining factor, in the Court’s opinion, is the simple fact
that the Plaintiff is clearly a better and more loving parent than the Defendant. The children have a chance to
love both of their parents if they are in the Plaintiff’s custody. No such possibility exists if they remain with the
Defendant.”
Justice Gomery’s decision in this case was model for effective interventions in the years to come. For reasons
that I have spoken about at various conferences, Canadian law developed quickly thereafter. After a slow start
in Hart v. Hart (see above) the British Columbia’s Court of Appeal (BCCA) in 2007 stated in a frequently cited
case, that it is an error in law (i.e. no deference given to the Trial Judge on appeal) for a Court to make a finding
of PA as the principle factor in a dysfunctional family system, but then fail to act decisively because of the con-
cern of children’s short to medium-term adjustment. The BCCA held that focus must be on the evidence-based
concerns for the children’s future mental health. Canadian law is the most advanced in responses to PA of any
system I have studied. It would not be until 2020 that we would see an almost identical decision come from the
Court of Appeal for England and Wales.
Justice Gomery’s Decision was upheld on Appeal. Of interest to those who have been involved in this work for
quite some time, is the fact that the mother, Pamela Stuart Mills, moved to Texas where Pamela, and her new
husband Robert Hoch, started a charitable foundation to help families in crisis. The Foundation, in the early
2000’s, established The Rachel House, one of the first and most prominent residential reconciliation interven-
tion programs. Reconciliation services, going far beyond the formal residential program, extended form many
years, with assistance to many families, legal and mental health professionals and other organizations and
agencies.
Justice Gomery’s decision, and the family law reforms he advised on, have benefitted several generations of
children and countless families in crisis. His analysis and judicial rhetoric from 1991 were far ahead of his
peers and the decision remains a must-read more than 30 years later. 

R E C E N T P U B L I C A T I O N S
Compiled by Robert Ferrer, PASG Archivist

IN THIS SECTION, ROBERT FERRER, PASG Archivist, provides citations and abstracts for recently published
articles related to parental alienation. The citations are entered into the searchable Parental Alienation Database,
also accessible from the PASG website. Many citations will provide access to the full-text version of the
article. Just click on the title to follow the link. To have an article considered for this section, email Robert
Ferrer at r-ferrer@illinois.edu
Note from R. Ferrer: On Friday, June 4, 2021, The American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Litigation,
Family Law Litigation Committee conducted a Roundtable Panel Discussion, “Top Tips on Litigating Cases of
Parental Alienation in Family Courts.” It was Chaired by Ashish Joshi.
Program Description:
Parental alienation is a silent epidemic that plagues the family courts in America. There is no doubt that
parental alienation exists and how it has significant short-term and long-term consequences to the children
and the targeted parents. There is also no doubt that American family/matrimonial courts have acknowledged
the concept, although the theory can sometimes be misused. This program will provide an overview of the
concept of parental alienation and explain how to correctly handle it in court.
The program will address these critical issues in litigating parental alienation cases:
• What is Parental Alienation and how to recognize it
• Judicial perspectives
• Court interventions
• Expert testimony and presenting a case
• The role of guardian ad litem and child representative
• Misinformation about parental alienation and how to respond to it
• Domestic violence and parental alienation
• Defending against false allegations of parental alienation
• Tips and guidance for practitioners
Panelists:
Ashish Joshi (Joshi Attorneys + Counselors; Ann Arbor, MI; Program Chair)
Hon. Darlene O’Brien (Family Court Judge, Ann Arbor, MI)
Hon. Kristina Karle (Family Court Judge, Rochester, NY)
Shazia Sparkman (Sparkman Law Firm; Tampa, FL; Moderator)
Below are four citations referenced by the Program Chair.
Litigating parental alienation: evaluating and presenting an effective case

in court
By: Ashish Joshi (ed). American Bar Association, Chicago. 2021. 324 pages. ISBN: 9781641058285 (Print)
Abstract: How to evaluate and present an effective case in family court. There is no doubt that parental
alienation exists and that U.S. courts have acknowledged the concept, although the theory can sometimes be
misused. This practitioner’s manual provides an overview of the concept of parental alienation and explains how

to correctly handle it in court. “Hands-on” practice pointers and sample materials on litigating parental alien-
ation make this an essential resource for the family lawyer.
Subjects: Parent and Child Law, Guardians ad litem, Parental Alienation Syndrome
Parental Alienation: The Problem (Part One of a Two-Part Series)

By: Ashish S. Joshi (2016). Michigan Family Law Journal 46(8), October 20116, pgs 7-10. 4p.
Abstract: Ideally, a divorcing couple aspires for a healthy closure of a marriage. Yet when a marriage has
produced children, a post-divorce parent-child relationship continues to exist and necessitates that the parents,
despite their divorce, continue to co-parent the child. At the healthiest end of this spectrum, a child has positive
relationships with both parents and desires time with each of his or her parents. The majority of post-divorce
children fit into this category. At the other end of this spectrum is an unhealthy, pathological situation wherein
a child rejects a parent. Where the rejection is unequivocal, strident, without guilt or ambivalence, absolute and
without justification, we encounter the phenomenon known as “parental alienation.”
Subjects: parental alienation, parental alienation syndrome, estrangement, DSM-5
Parental Alienation: Remedies (Part Two of a Two-Part Series)

By: Ashish S. Joshi (2016). Michigan Family Law Journal 46(9), November 2016, pgs 6-12. 7p.
Abstract: Parental alienation is a declaration of war by one parent against the other. The goal is clear: complete
and utter annihilation of the target parent’s relationship with the child. This article discusses common myths and
misconceptions of parental alienation in court.
Subjects: parental alienation, myths
Ten parental alienation fallacies that compromise decisions in court and

in therapy
By: Warshak, RA. (2015). Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 22 June 2015, pgs 1-15, 15p.
Abstract: False beliefs about the genesis of parental alienation and about appropriate remedies shape opinions
and decisions that fail to meet children’s needs. This article examines 10 mistaken assumptions: (a) children
never unreasonably reject the parent with whom they spend the most time, (b) children never unreasonably
reject mothers, (c) each parent contributes equally to a child’s alienation, (d) alienation is a child’s transient,
short-lived response to the parents’ separation, (e) rejecting a parent is a short-term healthy coping mechanism,
(f) young children living with an alienating parent need no intervention, (g) alienated adolescents’ stated pref-
erences should dominate custody decisions, (h) children who appear to function well outside the family need
no intervention, (i) severely alienated children are best treated with traditional therapy techniques while living
primarily with their favored parent, and (j) separating children from an alienating parent is traumatic. Reliance
on false beliefs compromises investigations and undermines adequate consideration of alternative explanations
for the causes of a child’s alienation. Most critical, fallacies about parental alienation shortchange children and
parents by supporting outcomes that fail to provide effective relief to those who experience this problem.
Subjects: alienation, custody reversal. high-conflict divorce, parental alienation, reunification

Note from R. Ferrer: It is with bittersweet joy that we congratulate Wilfrid von Boch-Galhau on the latest
publication of his case studies in the book, “Highlights on Medicine and Medical Science, Vol. 3.” We are
saddened by his announcement that after 20 years of working together, Wilfred is retiring. As Karen Woodall
so elegantly wrote:
Dear Wilfred,
Thank you for all of your powerful work over the years, despite the ideological challenges, it will
never be in vain.
In Europe there is an overwhelming campaign to mischaracterise parental alienation as a tool used
by abusive fathers, it has the backing of the women’s rights lobby and has succeeded in prohibit-
ing anyone from using parental alienation theory in Spain via the Istanbul Convention. PA is now
regarded in Spain as being in contravention of the Istanbul Convention on the rights of women to live
free from domestic abuse. The same process is being used in Italy and it looks as though it will be
used in other countries as well. This means that the governments of countries which are signatory to
the Istanbul Convention, can be lobbied under the premise that PA is contrary to the rights of women
and children.
The roots of this growing anti-pa lobby lie with Joan Meier and her connections to UK academics
Adrienne Barnett. The anti-pa campaigns are run by women who are part of the international ‘pro-
tective’ mothers groups. We have unwell women who are linked up to ideological academics who are
doing everything possible to push back the understanding of the problem and its impact on children.
This extends to harassment, stalking and vicious attacks on practitioners to frighten them away from
the field. In Israel we have leading practitioners who are suffering from lawsuits against them which
are ideologically rooted and in Croatia, our colleages, like us, suffer terrorisation by public lies and
defamation about our work.
We cannot allow this to stop us. In the UK, we are now lecturing to the Judicial College, a signif-
icant step which enables us to embed understanding of this work within the learning of new and
established judges. A public judgement about our work will be available shortly in which the High
Court has endorsed our approach. Our evaluation of services to families around the world over the
past decade, includes the experiences of children who were moved in residence transfer to the parent
they said they hated. The testimony from these children who are now adults, is powerful in its depic-
tion of the helplessness in the face of the psychological inter-personal terrorism they faced.
The results of this evaluation will be ready early next year and we will continue this work until the
issue is not only known about but is treated AND prevented.
Thank you from my heart, for all the work you have done before us.
Karen
We wish you much joy in the days ahead. Below are reprints of the Case Studies as published in Highlights on
Medicine and Medical Science, Vol. 3.
A Worldwide Health Problem: Parental Alienation

By: Wilfrid von Boch-Galhau (2021). In Dr. Ravi Kumar Chittoria (ed.). Highlights on Medicine and Medical
Science Vol. 3. B. P. International, India. Chap 12, pgs 83-91
Abstract: Parental Alienation is a serious mental condition that professionals who work with children, adoles-
cents and adults should know. Parental Alienation is to be found mainly in situations of high conflict separation

and divorce, however it exists also in some other contexts. In this article two case examples are presented. The
first case example shows parental alienation in a high conflict divorce situation, the second demonstrates insti-
tutionally induced parental alienation as a consequence of wrong child sexual abuse accusations by a mentally
ill neighbour. Although about thousand three hundred professional articles, book chapters and books, and also
empirical studies, exist meanwhile (see website https://ckm.vumc.org/pasg) from all over the world there is still
not enough awareness of Parental Alienation in professional practise. Parental Alienation is a child protection
issue and the child protection authorities and the courts have to act accordingly.
Subjects: Child psychological abuse, false accusations of child sexual abuse, family violence, high conflict
separation and divorce, parental alienation
Parental Alienation: A Serious Form of Child Psychological Abuse That Affects

Children All Over the World
By: Wilfrid von Boch-Galhau (2021). In Dr. Ravi Kumar Chittoria (ed.). Highlights on Medicine and Medical
Science Vol. 3. B. P. International, India. Chap 17, pgs 127-137
Abstract: Parental alienation is a significant mental illness that professionals working with children, ado-
lescents, and adults should be aware of. Parental alienation is most common in high-conflict separations and
divorces, but it can also occur in other circumstances. One case study involving two siblings is described in
this article. It depicts parental alienation in the context of a high-conflict divorce, which could be overcome
with a concerted intervention by child protective services and the family court, in collaboration with a trained
psychologist. Despite the existence of over a thousand professional articles, book chapters, and books, as well
as empirical research from all over the world (see website https://ckm.vumc.org/pasg), there is still a lack of
awareness or even denial of parental alienation in professional practise. Stopping parental alienating behaviours
is imperative for the promotion of the best interests of children and the health of families.
Subjects: Child psychological abuse, family violence, high conflict separation/divorce, Parental Alienation 
Find PASG on Facebook

You can find PASG on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ParentalAlienationStudyGroup/
Visit our Facebook page, become a friend, and write a comment.

Contact Information for PASG Officers and PAI Editors
Mailing Address Editor-in-Chief
1313 Twenty-First Avenue South Mandy Matthewson, Ph.D.
209 Oxford House Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Nashville, TN 37232, USA mandy.matthewson@utas.edu.au
Board of Directors Managing Editor

William Bernet, M.D., President Amanda Sillars
Nashville, Tennessee, USA Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
william.bernet@vumc.org amanda.sillars@emmm.org.au
Amy J. L. Baker, Ph.D., Secretary Column Editors

New York, New York, USA Cindy Hirsch
amyjlbaker@aol.com Editor: Targeted Parents’ Column
California, USA
Phillip Hendrix, M.A., M.B.A., Treasurer clhcindy@aim.com
Castle Rock, Colorado, USA
info@covenantcounselors.com Mary Alvarez, Ph.D.
Editor: Interventions Column
J. Michael Bone, Ph.D. Texas, USA
Winter Park, Florida, USA dralvarez@resetting-the-family.com
michael@jmichaelbone.com
Chris Turner
Sietske Dijkstra, Ph.D. Editor: Interventions Column
Utrecht, The Netherlands Texas, USA
fran.dijkstra@gmail.com cturner@resetting-the-family.com
Jennifer Harman, Ph.D. Brian Ludmer

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA Editor: Legal Column
Jennifer.Harman@ColoState.edu Toronto, Canada
Brian@ludmerlaw.com
Lena Hellblom Sjögren, Ph.D.
Siljansnäs, Sweden
mail@testimonia.se Book Review Editor
Abe Worenklein, Ph.D.
Ashish S. Joshi, L.L.M. Montreal, Canada
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA abew@videotron.ca
a.joshi@joshiattorneys.com
Events Editor
Abe Worenklein, Ph.D. Vivian Arber, M.P.S., P.M.P.
Montreal, Canada Los Angeles, California, USA
abew@videotron.ca Adr4solutions@gmail.com
PASG Archivist
Robert Ferrer
Urbana, Illinois, USA
r-ferrer@illinois.edu

About the Parental Alienation Study Group
Parental Alienation Study Group, Inc. (PASG) is an international, not-for-profit corporation. PASG has over
800 members—mostly mental health and legal professionals—from 62 countries. The members of PASG are
interested in educating the general public, mental health clinicians, forensic practitioners, attorneys, and judges
regarding parental alienation. PASG members are also interested in developing and promoting research on the
causes, prevention, evaluation, and treatment of parental alienation.
About Parental Alienation International

Parental Alienation International (PAI) is published bimonthly by PASG. PAI seeks to lead and promote the
scholarly discussion and debate concerning parental alienation practice, research, prevention, education, and
advocacy to promote development of informed practice and policy in this field.
Contributor Guidelines Contributors may submit articles or links to articles

that are already published or considered elsewhere.
How to contribute: Please send all your It is the responsibility of contributors to obtain the
contributions to the editor-in-chief. necessary permission where required to submit their
article to Parental Alienation International and to
Format: Submit manuscript as a Word file (.doc, appropriately acknowledge prior publication.
.docx) as an email attachment. Use 12-point Times
New Roman font, single spaced. PASG retains the final decision of the suitability
of articles and which articles are selected for
Content: News, case studies, pilot studies, publication in Parental Alienation International.
literature reviews, announcements, research,
research studies or proposals, advocacy, publicity, Advertising and Editorial
promotion, requests for support or funding.
PASG will maintain differentiation between
Editorial Policy: Articles may be subject to editing. advertising content and editorial content. Parental
Authors will be consulted and will be sent their Alienation International will not publish
final article for proofing and approval prior to “advertorial” material.
publication.
Copyright © 2021 Parental Alienation Study Group
The editorial team may solicit information and ar- (PASG) Inc. All rights reserved. You are receiving
ticles for publication and will appropriately consult this newsletter because you are a member of PASG.
contributors about the article to be prepared based
upon their contribution.
www.pasg.info


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Parental Alienation International

Advancing worldwide understanding in the field of parental alienation

July 2021 Parental Alienation Study Group Volume 6 • Issue 4

News About PASG

4 PASG 2021 in Brussels: Opportunities to Sponsor

6 Second Revision of Splitting: Protecting Yourself While Divorcing Someone with

7 Parent-Child Relationships During Parenting Disputes Research

8 Coping with Parental Alienation

10 Remembering Justice John Gomery

23 Contact Information for PASG Officers and PAI Editors

24 About the Parental Alienation Study Group

24 About Parental Alienation International

Cover Photo by Jonathon Young • Unsplash

Parental Alienation Study Group

Vale Justice John Gomery. PHOTO: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

I hope you enjoy the July issue of the PAI.

Best wishes to you all. 

Parental Alienation Study Group

PASG 2021 in Brussels: Opportunities to Sponsor

Parental Alienation Study Group

Information to be included in program book for PASG 2021:

Name of sponsor (i.e., a person, organization, or business):

Location of sponsor (i.e., city, state, country):

Name and address of sponsor:

Parental Alienation Study Group

Splitting: Protecting Yourself While Divorcing Someone with Borderline

IS OUT NOW IN ITSBy Bill Eddy

Parental Alienation Study Group

Parental Alienation Study Group

Coping with Parent Alienation

Parental Alienation Study Group

You can earn money for PASG effortlessly.

Parental Alienation Study Group

Remembering Justice John Gomery

AT THE PHILADELPHIA CONFERENCE held by PASG in 2019, there was an

Parental Alienation Study Group

Of the targeted parent, the Court observed:

Parental Alienation Study Group

Parental Alienation Study Group

Compiled by Robert Ferrer, PASG Archivist

Below are four citations referenced by the Program Chair.

Litigating parental alienation: evaluating and presenting an effective case

Parental Alienation Study Group

Parental Alienation: The Problem (Part One of a Two-Part Series)

Parental Alienation: Remedies (Part Two of a Two-Part Series)

Ten parental alienation fallacies that compromise decisions in court and

Parental Alienation Study Group

A Worldwide Health Problem: Parental Alienation

Parental Alienation Study Group

Parental Alienation: A Serious Form of Child Psychological Abuse That Affects

Find PASG on Facebook

Visit our Facebook page, become a friend, and write a comment.

Parental Alienation Study Group

Board of Directors Managing Editor

Amy J. L. Baker, Ph.D., Secretary Column Editors

Jennifer Harman, Ph.D. Brian Ludmer

Parental Alienation Study Group

About Parental Alienation International

Contributor Guidelines Contributors may submit articles or links to articles

4 PASG 2021 in Brussels: Opportunities to Sponsor

6 Second Revision of Splitting: Protecting Yourself While Divorcing Someone with

7 Parent-Child Relationships During Parenting Disputes Research

8 Coping with Parental Alienation

10 Remembering Justice John Gomery