Author Archives: Dr. Richard A. Warshak

When Kids Need to Know Bad Things About a Parent – Part 2

You are convinced that your child’s other parent, or a grandparent is bad, and the kids should know about it. Do they really need to hear what you have to say? When facing the impulse to present a parent or … Continue reading

Posted in alienated parents/rejected parents, coparenting, parental alienation/parental alienation syndrome, understanding parental alienation | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Telling Kids Which Parent Wanted the Divorce

I have posted a few replies to comments on my recent Huffpost article. Learn more.

Posted in coparenting | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

When Kids Need To Know Bad Things About a Parent – Part 1

Like many rejected parents, Maureen bit her tongue when her children returned from their dad spewing venom about their mother’s alleged wrongdoings. She thought she was taking the high road. She had the support of her counselor whose advice was … Continue reading

Posted in alienated parents/rejected parents, parental alienation/parental alienation syndrome | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

What Judges Need to Know in Parental Alienation Cases

The Complex Tapestry of Parent-Child Relations emphasizes that the psychology of alienated children cannot be reduced to a single factor. In some cases, the judge has little doubt that one parent is primarily responsible for the child’s alienation. It may … Continue reading

Posted in alienated parents/rejected parents, child custody litigation, Overcoming parental alienation, parental alienation/parental alienation syndrome, understanding parental alienation | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

Keeping New Year’s Resolutions

People tend to make the same resolutions year after year: they resolve to end a particular vice on average ten times. Every renewed vow represents last year’s failure. One out of four people give up by the end of the … Continue reading

Posted in general psychology and mental health, holidays | Tagged , | Comments Off on Keeping New Year’s Resolutions

State of Plutoverse – 2010

This is the first of what I hope will be an annual column recapping significant professional events of the year. 2010 was unusual in the number of major milestones that occurred. I do not expect to have another banner year … Continue reading

Posted in notes to readers, parental alienation/parental alienation syndrome | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on State of Plutoverse – 2010

Dr. Warshak’s Guide To Managing Holiday Blues

Holiday blues are intense feelings of sadness or loneliness during the holiday period. Such feelings are more unsettling than usual because they contrast with the spirit of benevolence and joy that we associate with the holidays. Holiday blues last for … Continue reading

Posted in general psychology and mental health, holidays | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Alec Baldwin’s A Promise to Ourselves

Alec Baldwin was kind enough to tell me how much my book, Divorce Poison: How To Protect Your Family From Bad-mouthing and Brainwashing, helped him understand his difficult family situation. I would like to reciprocate by sharing my thoughts about … Continue reading

Posted in book reviews, child custody litigation, parental alienation/parental alienation syndrome | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Six Tips to Give Children Better Holidays

Holidays can be times of great joy when families build shared positive memories. Holidays can also be times of great stress, blues, and depression. When parents live apart from each other, they need to make a special effort to work … Continue reading

Posted in coparenting, general psychology and mental health | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

Answering Critics – Part 1

The many parents I have helped, women and men, express astonishment that some people demonize me, attempt to tarnish my reputation, and spread misleading and false information about my work and me. Although my supporters far outweigh my detractors, the … Continue reading

Posted in alienated parents/rejected parents, child custody litigation, parental alienation/parental alienation syndrome | Tagged , , , , , , | 29 Comments