Beware of Experts Who Over-Promise and Over-Generalize

Targeted parents are desperate for help and support. I get that, I really do. what I don't get are people who take advantage of that desperation by promising to cure someone's PA situation based on their self-proclaimed expertise. Sometimes, these individuals are not really qualified professionals trained in a field related to PA, but rather individuals who have personal experience in PA -- either as a parent who lived through it and got their child back or as a young adult who lived it as a child. And, yes, personal experience matters and could certainly be of interest to targeted parents. BUT, I caution all targeted parents to be clear in their own mind about the limits of an individual's knowledge and skill set based on nothing more than a personal idiosyncratic experience with PA. Because something was helpful in one setting/situation does not mean that it will be helpful in all settings/situations. Before you set up a session and certainly before you put out a large chunk of money -- ask yourself whether the person is aware of the limits of their knowledge or are they assuming that what worked in their family will work for you. And, please be aware of anyone promising more than they can reasonably deliver. There are no magic wands to turn these children around. It is usually a painstaking process guided by a deep knowledge of parental alienation theory and research, as well as a full understanding of attachment theory and developmental psychology. My heart aches for each and every targeted parent (as well as their children) and I don't want to see additional heartache because of bad, overpriced, and/or unhelpful advice.