Creative Therapeutics, Inc.
P.O. Box 522
Cresskill, NJ 077626 - 0522
(201) 567 - 8989
$40.05 (p)

This book is possibly Dr. Gardner's most insightful and most controversial of the 44 he has written.  It is insightful because he takes a phenomenon known to anyone who has ever been involved in dealing with dysfunctional families, that is, children can become a battleground for parents who want to hurt each other, and brilliantly locates it within the broader context of our society and the changes it is undergoing.  It is a book which again and again Dr. Gardner says is only for therapists, and professionals, not parents.

"I am suggesting we first go back the point where reasonable and humane disciplinary and punitive measures are implemented so that children are not free to denigrate and humiliate with impunity their PAS-alienated parents.  There must be accountability.  There must be consequences.  This is the history of the world.  Without accountability and consequences, there cannot be civilized society.  PAS children are being programmed to be uncivilized and even to be psychopathic.  It is one of the purposes of this book to bring attention to this important factor that is operative in the development of PAS, a factor that has untoward consequences in other areas of children's lives: in the home, in the neighborhood, and in the schools" (p.421).

It is controversial because Dr. Gardner is clear and explicit in telling therapists that psychotherapy with children and families exhibiting the pattern of PAS must be authoritative, openly value loaded, with a high moral commitment, and deliberately induce proper shame and guilt in children for misbehavior.  There is no room for any relativistic pap in Dr. Gardner's prescription for therapy.  There is a right and a wrong way to raise children and for parents and children to relate.  There is no room for a therapist to hide behind a deceitful claim to be impartial, objective, and only working for the patient to get clear on their intents and purposes.

Dr. Gardner's description of his suggested psychotherapy techniques for those caught in an alienation pattern of behavior are more than the typical cookbook or therapy manual.  Dr. Gardner provides the theoretical basis for what he suggests.  This permits a therapist to meet the complexity of human experience and from the theory derive specific relevant and applicable behaviors.

This is strong stuff for many who practice psychotherapy.  Anyone who purports to want to help troubled children and their families must read this book carefully.  It may not be that all will agree with it or adopt its message.  However, therapy can never be quite the same for the therapist after reading it.

Reviewed by Ralph Underwager, Institute for Psychological Therapies.