Richard A. Gardner’s Followers (6)

Richard A. Gardner

Born

in The Bronx, New York City, The United States

April 28, 1931

Died

May 25, 2003

Website

http://richardagardner.com/

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Richard Alan Gardner was an American child psychiatrist best known for his controversial work on parental alienation and child custody disputes. A prolific writer, he authored 41 books and over 200 scholarly articles, and developed therapeutic materials for child psychotherapy through his company, Creative Therapeutics. Gardner introduced the concept of parental alienation syndrome (PAS), describing how one parent could manipulate a child into rejecting the other. While his work was influential in custody cases, PAS has never been recognized by the American Psychiatric Association or other professional bodies, and has been widely criticized as lacking scientific validity and being used to dismiss legitimate abuse claims.
Gardner earned his m Richard Alan Gardner was an American child psychiatrist best known for his controversial work on parental alienation and child custody disputes. A prolific writer, he authored 41 books and over 200 scholarly articles, and developed therapeutic materials for child psychotherapy through his company, Creative Therapeutics. Gardner introduced the concept of parental alienation syndrome (PAS), describing how one parent could manipulate a child into rejecting the other. While his work was influential in custody cases, PAS has never been recognized by the American Psychiatric Association or other professional bodies, and has been widely criticized as lacking scientific validity and being used to dismiss legitimate abuse claims.
Gardner earned his medical degree from SUNY Downstate and trained in psychiatry at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. He served in the U.S. Army as director of child psychiatry in Frankfurt, Germany, and was later a clinical professor at Columbia University for four decades. He held academic appointments in the U.S., Belgium, and Russia and was a member of several professional psychiatric and psychoanalytic associations.
Gardner’s 1990 book Sex Abuse Hysteria: Salem Witch Trials Revisited became central to his claims about false accusations in abuse cases. He frequently served as an expert witness, including in the successful appeal of Margaret Kelly Michaels. However, his work drew fierce criticism for being unscientific, gender-biased, and sympathetic toward individuals accused of abuse. Critics argued that PAS was based on anecdotal evidence and personal beliefs, not empirical research. Attempts to include PAS in the DSM-5 were rejected.
Gardner strongly denied condoning pedophilia or abuse, insisting his theories were misunderstood. He also opposed mandatory reporting laws and advocated support for those falsely accused of abuse. Despite the controversy, his legacy continues to spark debate in psychiatry, law, and child protection. He died by suicide in 2003, reportedly after suffering from a debilitating neurological pain disorder. ...more

Combine Editions
Richard A. Gardner’s books

Average rating: 3.63 · 122 ratings · 15 reviews · 70 distinct works

	The Boys and Girls Book About Divorce: For Children and Their Divorced Parents--The Essential Book by Richard A. Gardner, Alfred Lowenheim (Illustrator), Louise Bates Ames (Foreword by) 3.52 avg rating — 27 ratings — published 1970 — 22 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Parental Alienation Syndrome: A Guide for Mental Health and Legal Professionals 3.40 avg rating — 15 ratings — published 1992 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Sex Abuse Hysteria: Salem Witch Trials Revisited by Richard A. Gardner, Brian Baldwin (Illustrator) 2.92 avg rating — 13 ratings — published 1990 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Dr. Gardner's Fairy Tales for Today's Children by Richard A. Gardner, Al Lowenheim (Illustrator) 3.29 avg rating — 7 ratings — published 1974 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Therapeutic Communication with Children: The Mutual Storytelling Technique 4.50 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 1977 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Girls and Boys Book About Good and Bad Behavior by Richard A. Gardner, Alfred Lowenheim (Illustrator) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 1999 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Dorothy and the Lizard of Oz by Richard A. Gardner, Frank Richmond (Illustrator) 3.75 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 1980 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Storytelling in Psychotherapy With Children 3.50 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 1993	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Parents Book About Divorce 4.67 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 1977 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Psychotherapeutic Techniques of Richard A. Gardner 4.33 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 1986 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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