Info on Dr. Harry Krop and
parental alienation syndrome. MUST READ!
http://ns2.circuit8.org/family/MINUTES2_25_08.pdf
snip
Our speaker was Dr. Harry Krop who gave a presentation about parental
alienation syndrome. He provided a handout explaining parental alienation that
included pages 67 through 97 from a chapter of the book, The Parental Alienation
Syndrome and the Differentiation Between Fabricated and Genuine Child Sexual
Abuse by Richard A. Gardner, M.D.
Dr. Krop asked Judge McDonald if she has heard the term parental alienation
syndrome being used in court. She explained that it has been used a few times in court,
but that the facts of the case are typically argued, as opposed to the term itself being
used.
Dr. Krop explained that parental alienation syndrome is a controversial term. He
explained that only seven to nine cases or so have dealt with it as an issue. Dr. Krop
mentioned that he is permitted to testify in court about parental alienation syndrome if
nobody objects. He then went on to explain that Dr. Gardner uses a specific definition
to describe parental alienation syndrome.
Dr. Krop described a court case where one of the clearest examples of
pathological parental alienation syndrome took place. He explained that nine mental
health professionals had provided assistance to the family. The case was a custody
battle and included two children. Dr. Krop explained that there were sexual allegations
against the father. He also mentioned that there was a history of domestic violence
between the parents. Dr. Krop was granted access to both children. However, the
mother, who lived in another county, refused to bring the child to Gainesville because
that is where the father lived. She later called the police and stated that she thought the
father might kidnap the child and several police officers were present at the childs
appointment to ensure the father was not there. In addition, the mother called the police
and accused Dr. Krop of attempting to kidnap the child because of him making
arrangements to interview the child in Gainesville.
Dr. Krop provided a written report to the court and explained his concerns
regarding parental alienation syndrome taking place in the case. He also watched a
Child Protection Team video and reviewed depositions in the case. Dr. Krops
conclusion was there was not sufficient evidence that sexual abuse occurred. His
recommendation was that the children remain with the mother and the father have
supervised visits at the Family Visitation Center. Recently, the Department of Children
Families received new allegations about this family, including drug use by the father,
and Dr. Krop has been asked by the court to complete an updated report on the family.
Dr. Krop explained that Dr. Gardner provides different examples and levels of
parental alienation syndrome in the handout provided. Dr. Krop also explained that
brainwashing is an intentional attempt where one parent is stating that the other parent
is bad. However, most times, the alienation is subtle. Typically, the parent who is the
alienating parent has a lack of recognition of how detrimental the alienation is to the
child. Dr. Krop explained that there is difficulty in determining at what point you
determine to remove a child from an alienating parent. He explained that the courts
want to do shared parental responsibility more. Dr. Krop mentioned that in the past,
fathers were typically not a player in custody issues where parental alienation syndrome
existed. He explained that when asked, a child sometimes has a hard time being
specific about parental alienation syndrome or they tend to repeat themselves when
providing details.
Dr. Krop then provided an example scenario of a mother being the alienating
parent. He explained that a formal psychological evaluation and testing of the child and
father takes place. If sexual allegations are made, he then conducts a psychosexual
evaluation on the father. Dr. Krop then speaks to the child alone while the mother is in
the waiting room. The child is typically hostile when describing the father, paternal
grandparents and paternal aunts and uncles. Dr. Krop explained that when a neutral
party brings the child to an appointment and is in the waiting room, the child is softer.
Dr. Krop went on to explain that he then plays games with the child. In addition, there is
a session with the father about parameters on how to respond to the child when they
are hostile. Dr. Krop explained that the evaluation process and the recommendations
are long-term.
Judge McDonald discussed having teenagers testify in court. She explained that
the parents are cleared out of the courtroom and the attorneys remain in the courtroom.
Dr. Krop stated that children testifying in court depends on the childs maturity level. He
also mentioned that if they do not testify the child may feel they have no control over
the decisions being made about them. He explained that there is a chapter in the
handout that addresses this.
Dr. Krop mentioned that parental alienation syndrome is not always looked at.
He stated that the facts are sometimes taken at face value. He explained that children
tend to downplay or minimize to overprotect parents. Dr. Krop encouraged custody
evaluators to look at both sides of the issue.
