Professor Bruch weighs in on ‘parental alienation syndrome’ for Sacramento’s Channel 10

Professor Emerita Carol Bruch appeared in a May 18 news report on Sacramento’s Channel 10 (ABC) television station that explored the harmful impact of “parental alienation syndrome” (PAS), a doctrine that seeks to discredit child abuse allegations in family court by claiming the child has been coached, usually by the other parent.

“They say there is brainwashing, and they will call that emotional abuse,” Bruch told Channel 10 reporter Lilia Luciano. But mental health professionals who have appeared as PAS expert witnesses in court obtained that status after obtaining “continuing education credits by attending presentations that have not been vetted on their merits,” Bruch said.

The segment was part of a series on family court that aired throughout May on Channel 10.