Dr. Richard A. Warshak
Expert in Divorce, Child Custody & Parental Alienation
Dr. Richard A. Warshak’s groundbreaking studies, challenges to gender stereotypes, and advocacy for children have established him as one of the world’s most respected authorities on divorce and child custody.
Expert in Divorce, Child Custody & Parental Alienation
Dr. Richard A. Warshak’s groundbreaking studies, challenges to gender stereotypes, and advocacy for children have established him as one of the world’s most respected authorities on divorce and child custody.
As Featured In
Spotlight
Listen to Dr. Warshak on the David Glass podcast - February 14th 2026
Dr. Warshak’s Valentine’s Day gift to his admirers: his first public interview in years, a podcast appearance on Season 8 of the David Glass podcast. The topic is parental alienation, and you can watch a brief teaser of the show.
Watch trailer
About
Through his work as a White House consultant, author, clinician, researcher, speaker, expert witness, and litigation consultant, Dr. Warshak has advanced family law and championed the well-being of children and families.
His book, Divorce Poison is the classic and best-selling resource on parental alienation worldwide. The educational film Welcome Back, Pluto is the leading resource for families whose children struggle to stay out of the middle of parental conflicts.
For Parents
This site offers comprehensive resources for families of children who are turning against a parent or have already become estranged. Parents will find help to understand, cope with, and overcome parental alienation, as well as guidance on a wide range of other child-rearing issues.
Resources include information and advice relevant to controversial issues in child custody litigation and decision-making, such as parental alienation, parenting plans and overnights for young children, shared parenting, and relocating children a considerable distance from a parent.
For Professionals
Attorneys and mental health professionals will find resources for complex and challenging child custody cases that raise issues related to parental alienation, shared parenting, overnight access, and relocation.
Attorneys can arrange consultations to access Dr. Warshak’s expertise in dealing with mental health evidence and testimony, such as preparing for and critiquing a custody evaluation, preparing questions for deposition and cross-examination of experts, and lodging or defending against allegations of parental alienation.
Publications and Media
Dr. Warshak’s publications include peer-reviewed articles on divorce, child custody, parental alienation, overnight access, and shared parenting; op-eds; and books that bridge research and practice for families and professionals. His media work spans international television, radio, print interviews, and educational videos for professional training and family intervention.
Videos
Regain and keep the love of your children with this acclaimed powerful video for families facing potential or existing parental alienation. Children and teens learn how and why to avoid taking sides with one parent against the other. Young adults learn another perspective about how they became alienated.
This PBS documentary explores how families experience divorce—and what helps children cope best in the aftermath. Through interviews with children, parents, and professionals (including Dr. Richard Warshak), it focuses on reducing conflict, and supporting children’s stability.
Books
The long-awaited follow-up to Divorce Poison, this book distills five decades of research and clinical experience into a clear, research-grounded examination of parental alienation.
In the world’s best-selling guide to preventing & overcoming parental alienation, Dr. Warshak helps parents shield children from the crossfire of divorce and separation.
Drawing on original research and decades of clinical experience, this book examines how custody arrangements shape children’s development, identity, and well-being.
