Intractable Access: Is There a Cure?

During a divorce it is natural for most parents to in some way shape the perceptions of their children. The emotional upset, trauma and strong conflicting emotions which accompany the process of divorce make this an almost inevitable outcome. For most parents the indulgence is relatively mild, and does not significantly disturb the relationship of the child or children with the other parent. In some cases fortunately, relatively few - the process of influencing goes well beyond this. In these cases the term 'brainwash' is often used. The essence of this term conveys a sense that one person wants to very significantly change the inner reality of another. Like most psychological processes, brainwashing can be seen in mild to severe forms. When brainwashing becomes quite severe in a family law case, it may warrant the diagnoses of the Parental Alienation Syndrome (Gardner, 1987; Byrne, 1989). This name has been used to describe a set of symptoms, and underlying dynamics, in children who have been the subject of an extensive campaign to alienate the child's affection from the other parent. Most commonly it is the mother who tries to alienate the child from the father. However, some cases have been seen of fathers attempting to alienate children from mothers. There are other configurations, including cases in which biological grandparents attempt to alienate a child from the biological parent. There is a common set of symptoms which are usually seen in such children. First, the child will typically state that they never want to see the other parent again, or want only minimal contact with the other parent. This is usually said in a rather bland, somewhat mechanical tone, devoid of much emotional impact. More surprisingly, it can be said by children who in the past had apparently a robust and rewarding relationship with the other parent. Second, when children are questioned, the reasons they give may initially sound persuasive. This is particularly true of children of 9 or 10 years of age and older. The reasons given by younger children can be less persuasive, and are more transparently a fabrication. Third, there is an apparent lack of ambivalence demonstrated by the child. The father is described as a person with few positive features and many negatives. The mother on the other hand is described as virtually all positive, with few if any features the child is unhappy with. The condemning statements are made toward the father in a manner which is devoid of emotion. The