Justice Law Collaborative Files Complaint Against Psychologists Promoting Discredited “Parental Alienation” Theory and Intensive Reunification Therapy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Justice Law Collaborative Files Complaint Against Psychologists Promoting Discredited “Parental Alienation” Theory and Intensive Reunification Therapy

Legal action seeks accountability for practitioners whose bogus and unscientific methods caused severe trauma to children

Santa Cruz, CA – January 23, 2026 – Justice Law Collaborative (JLC) announced today the filing of a complaint in California against two psychologists who hold themselves out as experts in “parental alienation” and intensive reunification therapy, alleging that their practices caused severe psychological harm to children involved in family court proceedings.

The complaint challenges the use of parental alienation theory and intensive reunification therapy methods that leading professional organizations, including the American Psychological Association, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, and the World Health Organization, have widely discredited. These organizations have declined to recognize parental alienation as a legitimate diagnosis and have raised serious concerns about practices based on this theory.

“Children deserve to be protected by evidence-based practices, not subjected to discredited theories that can cause lasting trauma,” said Karen Barth Menzies, Partner at Justice Law Collaborative. “These practitioners positioned themselves as experts in family court cases, but their methods lack scientific validity and have resulted in serious harm to vulnerable children.”

According to the complaint, the respondents utilized injurious and forced transportation and intensive reunification therapy protocols based on parental alienation theory. These practices involved forcibly removing children from their protective parent and compelling contact with an allegedly estranged parent in isolated settings. The children were subjected to threats of punishment and verbal abuse intended to “break” them into compliance. Mental health experts have warned that such approaches can retraumatize children and disregard legitimate concerns about abuse or neglect. This case reflects the very harms that prompted legislative reform efforts in California and helped push Piqui’s Law (SB 331) across the finish line. The law, signed in 2023, restricts the use of discredited “parental alienation” concepts in custody decisions and prioritizes child safety and evidence-based standards in family courts. More information on Piqui’s Law is available at: https://www.caprotectiveparents.org/piquis-law-sb-331

“The passage of Piqui’s Law marked an important shift toward protecting children from pseudoscientific practices in family court,” Barth Menzies added. “This case underscores why that reform was necessary and why continued accountability is critical.” Justice Law Collaborative is calling for greater scrutiny of practitioners who promote parental alienation theory and for family courts nationwide to adopt standards grounded in science, trauma-informed care, and the best interests of children.

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For more information about this case or to speak with a representative from Justice Law Collaborative, please contact:

Karen Barth Menzies, Partner Karen@justicelc.com (310) 363-0030