Post date: Aug 24, 2011 11:9:4 PM
A Family’s Heartbreak should be in the hands of every judge, therapist, and custody evaluator. His book is definitely is an eye-opener to the reality of Parental Alienation. Regardless of the reason a couple divorces, it is vital that they co-parent and keep the kids out of the middle. However, amicable co-parenting is not always the case. Regardless of Jeffries efforts to work with his ex-wife, harmonious shared parenting was not his reality. Jeffries points out, “In parental alienation cases the players do not share the same goal” (p.164). His story demonstrates that a child can align him or herself with one parent and persistently reject a previously, once loved parent.
Professionals would serve clients’ well to read his book in order to get a good grip of the current reality. Jeffries gut wrenching actuality is that he became alienated without justification, just one example of criteria for Parental Alienation Disorder. Jeffries in a dialogue with Dr. Davies poses a tough question, “If judges don’t recognize emotional abuse how they can recognize parental alienation? (p.174). Dr. Davies response reflects the current state of the therapeutic realm, “Within the mental health community many psychologists don’t recognize parental alienation is a syndrome because it isn’t in our DSM…” (p.174). In my opinion, while the book is listed as, A Parent’s Introduction to Parental Alienation, Jeffries story clearly sorts out the vast difference of an Alienated Child (Kelly & Johnston, 2001) from one that has been brainwashed. I propose that A Family’s Heartbreak would serve as an introduction to the professional that cannot decipher a child’s temporary reaction to a vitriolic divorce from irrational alienation.
For parents that have had a child turn against them without just cause, this book will provide a name to the nightmare–Parental Alienation. Jeffries shares his story in an easy to read manner from a parent’s perspective. Jeffries documents the horrific treatment by his ex-spouse and the disrespectful treatment from a son who once adored him. His story sheds light on the fact that parental alienation meets criteria for a disorder that needs recognition and proper intervention.
References: Kelly, J.B., & Johnston, J.R. (2001). The alienated child: A reformulation of parental alienation syndrome. Family Court Review, 39(3), 249-265.