Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite

You're Not Crazy: Overcoming Parent/Child Alienation was written by Dr. Lynn Steinberg Ph.D. to bring awareness of the issue on a professional, legal, and parental level. Parental alienation involves a child being taught to hate a parent without a valid reason. Steinberg provided several studies from reputable mental health associations and practicing professionals throughout the book. There are several lists, including the red flags, to ward off the devastating effects on people, with specific definitions for terms like gaslighting, alienation, targeted parent, and more. The current reconciliation therapy ordered by courts is lacking and Steinberg goes into great detail on what methods have successfully strengthened the parental bond with children after parents have divorced. A thorough list of questions is provided for interviewing attorneys, therapists, and other professionals to aid with proving claims of alienation in court cases.

There is a lot of useful information in this book. Dr. Lynn Steinberg’s organization of the material is concise and easy to understand. As a targeted parent, I found actions my child displays commonly show in alienated children. What I found the most disturbing is the statistics of what is psychologically affecting my child and myself. The statement "Parental Alienation is when one parent gives the children permission to break the other parent's heart" profoundly relates to my experiences. The analogy of how the family court shares metaphorical actions of war gives perspective. A list of books helpful for learning specific aspects makes finding more information simpler. I found the solutions offered encouraging and obtainable. It focused on the support network in great depth. I feel armed with information to no longer be a victim, but a capable survivor. I highly recommend You’re Not Crazy to anybody involved in the court system, the counseling profession, and parents.