In last month’s blog, we looked at parental alienation and how reunification services help families rebuild trust and connection. This month, we’ll focus on another key responsibility of psychologists in these cases, which is performing comprehensive parental alienation evaluations.
A parental alienation evaluation is a specialized forensic assessment conducted by a psychologist to determine why a child is resisting or rejecting a parent. The goal is not simply to confirm or deny allegations of alienation, but to understand the underlying causes of the child’s behavior.
A well‑conducted evaluation helps courts and families distinguish true parental alienation from other explanations that can look similar. There are many other reasons a child might resist or reject a parent, including:
- Reacting to trauma.
- Experiencing anxiety or loyalty conflicts.
- Having developmentally typical preferences, such as favoring one home’s routine.
- Responding to parenting deficits or inconsistent involvement.
- Withdrawing because of exposure to conflict, coercive control, or violence.
Psychologists rely on multiple data sources to understand whether a child’s rejection is disproportionate to their actual experiences. This process typically includes:
- Conducting clinical interviews with each parent and the child.
- Observing parent–child interactions to assess behavior and relational patterns.
- Reviewing relevant records, such as court filings, therapy notes, and school reports.
- Speaking with collateral contacts, including teachers, therapists, and medical providers.
- Administering psychological testing when appropriate to clarify symptoms or functioning.
Parental alienation cases are complex. Neutral, well‑structured evaluations help courts interpret clinical findings and guide next steps such as reunification therapy, parenting coordination, treatment planning, and safety considerations. Please feel free to reach out to discuss a case or referral.
Dr. David Lowenstein is a Columbus, Ohio-based psychologist with more than 35 years of experience. He conducts individual, family, and group therapy sessions in his German Village office and also via telehealth. Dr. Lowenstein is also available for expert forensic testimony, and for educational workshops and presentations. He is frequently called upon as an expert source for print, radio, and broadcast media. Contact Dr. Lowenstein at Lowenstein & Associates, 691 South Fifth Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43206, or call 614.443.6155 or 614.444.0432.
