Parent Alienation

Parent Alienation Syndrome or disorder is not an official diagnosis. It has not been accepted by any credible scientific body in the world. The literature behind this diagnosis is from a fringe psychologist who promoted child abuse as something to be accepted in society and promoted the notion that it is the victims and the advocates that are the problem. Mens groups have heavily promoted this as what they have referred to as, "abuse excuse".

Despite the heavy coercion and psychological abuse that surrounds the use of this fake diagnosis,

it has been not only challenged, but debunked in proceedings. In fact, whilst the court may be able to guard against negligence litigation, family reporters are not so immune as they would like to present to their clients. Even if they use the term Parent Alienation without the disorder or the Syndrome on the end of it, it can still be argued that the term was in reference to Gardner's syndrome. California introduced a "Non scientific theories" bill to stop the use of Parent Alienation.

You can report them to the psychologist board:

Psychologists Registration Boards

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia

To work as a psychologist in Australia you are legally required to be registered, in the same way medical practitioners and solicitors must register to practice.

For more information about registration, see Working as a psychologist.

For information on the assessment of psychology qualifications gained overseas or locally, see Assessing Psychology Qualifications.

Australian Capital Territory

Psychologists Board of the ACT
Registrar: Ms Kathleen Taylor
Scala House, 11 Torrens St, Braddon ACT 2612
Tel: (02) 6205 1601
Fax: (02) 6205 1602
Email: kathleen.taylor@act.gov.au
www.health.act.gov.au/healthregboards

New South Wales

Psychologists Registration Board
Secretary: Ms Mary Shanahan
PO Box K599, Haymarket, NSW 1238
Tel: (02) 9219 0211
Fax: (02) 9281 2030
Email: psychreg@hprb.health.nsw.gov.au
www.psychreg.health.nsw.gov.au/

Northern Territory

The Psychology Registration Board of the NT
Registrar: Ms Carolyn Wilson
GPO Box 4221, Darwin, NT 0801
Tel: (08) 8999 4157
Fax: (08) 8999 4196
Email: healthprofessions.ths@nt.gov.au

Queensland

The Psychologists Board of QLD
Registrar: Ms Pauline Portier
GPO Box 2438, Brisbane, QLD 4001
Tel: (07) 3234 1164
Fax: (07) 3225 2527
Email: psychology@healthregboards.qld.gov.au
www.psychologyboard.qld.gov.au/

South Australia

South Australian Psychological Board
Registrar: Mr Peter Martin
16 Norma Street, Mile End, SA 5031
Tel: (08) 8443 9669
Fax: (08) 8443 9550
Email: sapb@saboards.com.au
www.sapb.saboards.com.au/

Tasmania

Psychologists Registration Board
Registrar: Ms Jayne Wilson
Level 2, 24 Murray Street, Hobart Tasmania 7000
Postal: GPO Box 792 Hobart TAS 7001
Ph: (03) 6224 9331
Fax: (03) 6224 9700
Email: psych@regboardstas.com
www.regboardstas.com/psychologists/

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Victoria

Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria
CEO / Registrar: Ms Melanie Saba
PO Box 358, Collins Street West, Melbourne, VIC 8007
Tel: (03) 9629 8722
Fax: (03) 9629 8744
Email: registrar@psychreg.vic.gov.au
www.psychreg.vic.gov.au/

Western Australia

Psychologists Board of WA
Assistant Registrar: Mrs Kim Firth
PO Box 263, West Perth, WA 6872
Tel: (08) 9321 8499
Fax: (08) 9481 4940
Email: psychboard@hlbwa.com.au
www.psychboard.wa.gov.au/

If they are a social worker, you can complain here:

http://www.aasw.asn.au/whatwedo/complaints-management

If they are a lawyer, you can complain here:

http://www.complaintline.com.au/legal_practitioner.html

Whilst complaints may seem like a negative process to go through, it is important that these organisations are aware that these practitioners are not acting appropriately.

Making judgments and decisions based upon non scientific theories is dangerous and detrimental. They ruin it for other practitioners who do not engage in misconduct. These bodies are there to make ensure that integrity within a profession is held so that it does not become a profession that is no longer used.