Psychology and Counselling

Content and focus: This paper will briefly consider the general conceptualisation of mental disorder before focusing on the specific case of parental alienation (PA), variously termed a disorder or a syndrome.  By virtue of the recent debate surrounding its potential inclusion in the newest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM5, this is a topical example.  A critical analysis of the petition for its inclusion within DSM5 will both highlight the range of professionals’ views, and also consider ethical and practical issues inherent in the conceptualisation of a mental disorder and its classification within the evolving DSM.  Following this general and specific conceptualisation of mental disorder, the tensions that diagnosis raises for counselling psychology will be briefly deliberated.  The positive aspects of classification and diagnosis will be acknowledged, whilst highlighting the focus on the subjective experience of individual clients.

Conclusions: Despite the controversy about the concept, validity and reliability of PA, the evidence suggests that there is more agreement than disagreement among practitioners and professionals in the field.  Whilst there is a general consensus that alienation exists within a distinct population who would benefit from intervention, there is no consensus on its inclusion in DSM5.  Irrespective of its inclusion in any nosology, the recent debate has highlighted the need for further research.  A greater understanding of the processes, symptoms and behaviours involved in PA will enable the needs of children and families involved in high-conflict separation to be better addressed.

Parental alienation is the unwarranted denigration or rejection of a parent where there was a previous loving relationship. Despite thirty years of study establishing its aetiology, prevalence , appropriate interventions and outcomes for children, parental alienation remains a highly contentious concept in the UK. Additionally, there has been minimal exploration of the experiences of alienated parents across the globe. A recent Q analysis uncovered the subjective and intersubjective experiences of British alienated parents. An unexpected consensus became apparent which merited further analysis of the data. Through this phenome-nological exploration of the participants' narratives, a pervasive sense of " powerlessness " emerged. The source of this felt sense of powerlessness is considered and recommendations for policy and practice are suggested.

Summary report of findings from Doctoral research related to experiences of the UK Family Justice system.  The report was sent to Local Family Justice Boards in England and Wales in 2015.

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According to the Scottish Government, the policy aims of the Children (Scotland) Bill are to: ensure the views of the child are heard in contact and residence cases; further protect victims of domestic abuse and their children; ensure the best interests of the child are at the centre of contact and residence cases and Children’s Hearings; and further compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in family court cases.

This submission focuses on three key areas: Child Welfare Reporters and curators ad litem; voice of the child; factors to be considered by the court when making contact and residence orders.

My earlier submission - the consultation response submitted to Review of Part 1 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and creation of a family justice modernisation strategy - is available here: https://www.academia.edu/39401811/Consultation_response_submitted_to_Review_of_Part_1_of_the_Children_Scotland_Act_1995_and_creation_of_a_family_justice_modernisation_strategy

Supplementary evidence in respect of the Children (Scotland) Bill highlighting concerns about the inappropiate appointment of solicitors as Child Welfare Reporters to report and make recommendations on child welfare, and their acting in breach of The Law Society of Scotland Standards of Conduct Rule B1.10 (Competence, diligence and appropriate skills).

On 1st October 2020, the Children (Scotland) Act became law.  As well as strengthening the voice of the child in Scottish family proceedings and improving protection for vulnerable witnesses, for the first time it legislates for the regulation of child welfare reporters. Today 90% of welfare assessments in private family law proceedings are undertaken by solicitors.  Are they competent to do so?  Is this ensuring that the welfare of the child is paramount? Why was there no input from social work when the Bill was drafted? Where was the voice of social work in the consultation? What can you do to ensure that every child in the UK has the right to an assessment of their needs and welfare by a competent, qualified, skilled professional?

Parental alienation is a phrase often used in the context of high conflict relationship breakdown. A key feature of parental alienation is a child’s strong alignment with one parent whilst rejecting a relationship with the other, despite a prior normal, loving, warm relationship. This rejection seems unwarranted in the absence of any abuse or violence. Whilst there is recognition of the long term psychological impact on the child, there is little research into the sense alienated parents make of their lives when
rejected. Furthermore, in the UK there is little open recognition or apparent
understanding of parental alienation by those with whom families engage in the course of their relationship breakdown. This research seeks to explore the experiences of alienated parents in the UK.

A comprehensive literature review addresses the historical and current debates around this sometimes controversial phenomenon. This includes the polarising gender debate, the recent submission of Parental Alienation Disorder for consideration by the DSM5 Task Force and the paucity of discussion or literature in the UK in comparison to other countries. Using a Q methodology approach, the subjective and intersubjective experiences of 54 British alienated parents emerge in 6 factors, enriched by their own
narratives and supporting demographic information. In addition to the concrete, explicit findings, a pervasive sense of powerlessness emerges through the subtext. The findings are discussed in light of the limited literature and there is a key focus on the unique role that counselling psychology can play in addressing this powerlessness. Implications for practice and policy are outlined and recommendations for further multi-disciplinary research are given.