“Alienation Expert” Jacqueline J. Head, Psy.D.
When an industry is build on a faulty foundation, it is inevitable that the structure will crumble, brick by brick.
Case in point, the cottage industry of “alienation.”
The Roots of the Alienation Movement: Disgraced psychologist, Richard Gardner coined, “parental alienation syndrome" (PAS) based on his own observations. Known to be "pedophile friendly" and said to be biased against women, none of his work has been peer reviewed. Gardner’s theory is junk science, concocted by a man with ties to pedophilia.
Gardner is known for quotes such as,
"Older children may be helped to appreciate that sexual encounters between an adult and a child are not universally considered to be reprehensible act. The child might be told about other societies in which such behavior was and is considered normal. The child might be helped to appreciate the wisdom of Shakespeare's Hamlet, who said, 'Nothing's either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.' In such discussions the child has to be helped to appreciate that we have in our society an exaggeratedly punitive and moralistic attitude about adult-child sexual encounters."
There is a large group (and growing) of individuals who have repackaged Garner's theory of PAS and re-labeled it, "parental alienation" or, "alienation." While many do not follow Gardner’s “original version” of the syndrome, the repackaged variations are still used by abusers to take custody from healthy parents. Regardless of the name, it remains the go-tool weapon for abusive, high-conflict individuals who are utilizing the court system to hurt and control their ex-spouse or ex-partner.
There is a lot of money to be made from this disturbing movement. Attorneys unethically push alienation claims forward knowing it has no scientific basis or credibility. There are reports of therapists and other family court professionals who are financially incentivized to label children as "alienated." In extreme situations, children are removed from their safe parent and sent to reunification camps. These camps continue to be exposed by news organizations and investigative reporters however, they remain operational.
Brick by brick, these so-called professionals are falling.
Today, it was brought to my attention that in Oregon, there is proposed disciplinary action pending against Dr. Jacqueline J. Head.
Dr. Jacqueline J. Head testified as an “expert” in a case and stated that the children needed to go into the Family Bridges program and have a minimum of six months of no contact with their primary parent. Her reason: the primary parent packed snacks for the children and called them on the phone. That was her justification for removing two children from their mother. Apparently, a mother who is bonded with her children and wants to ensure that they eat is an “alienator.”
The court transcripts read,
“Regarding Dr. Jacqueline Head, the Court is not satisfied with the reunification counseling provided by Dr. Head. Based on the testimony and exhibits submitted, the Court has concerns regarding Dr. Head’s charting, memory and overall effectiveness in this situation.
Regarding Family Bridges, much of the testimony and information provided to the court about Family Bridges is both second- or third-hand, with little-to-no actual experience with the educational styles and theories employed by Family Bridges.”
This judge gets it - and sees through the junk science that “professionals” like Dr. Head is peddling.
Oregon is leading the charge on exposing this cottage industry - we hope other states will follow.
In 2021, the Oregon Board of Psychology reprimanded Dr. Craig Childress:
CALL TO ACTION:
If your case has been affected by any of these “alienation” experts (Dr. Richard Warshak, Linda J. Gottlieb, Landon Poppleton, Amy Baker, J. Michael Bone, Dr. Robert Evans or any other), we’d like to know about your experience and will keep the information confidential unless we receive your permission to share.
Click here to submit your information.
