About Dr. Kathleen Reay 

A Career Dedicated To Helping 
Alienated Youth And Their Families Move Forward
Much of what I have learned about the personal side of parental alienation has come from working with over 4,000 alienated children. I gained much of my knowledge from clinical private practice experience, and even more so in my role as the Founder and Clinical Director of the Family Reflections Reunification Program for Severely Alienated Children and Their Families. 

I have also learned so much from conducting and co-conducting research studies on the topic of parental alienation. Each and every participant in my research studies as well as the thousands of clients seen in private practice or my reunification program have helped me gain tremendous knowledge and understanding of complex family dynamics, in particular parental alienation and its associated effects during the divorce process and long afterward. Their stories have been an inspiration to me and I am deeply grateful. 

I have spent a significant part of my career learning as much as possible from my PA colleagues by engaging in lengthy telephone or online calls, attending international symposiums, studying their research publications or just hanging out with them, wherever and whenever possible. Enormous gratitude is extended to William Bernet, M.D., the Founder and President of the Parental Alienation Study Group (PASG). Dr. Bernet and I have had a strong working relationship for a significant period of time. I am also deeply indebted to having a strong colleageal relationship with Dr. Richard A. Sauber and Dr. Steven G. Miller who both recently passed away. 

Educational Background:

My educational background includes a Ph. D. in psychology, M.A. in Counselling Psychology, B.A. in Psychology, and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Family Studies. In 2010, I was honored to achieve Diplomate status with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress (AAETS). The Diplomate distinction is a prestigious credential that was awarded to Kathleen by the AAETS in recognition of my experience in working with numerous survivors of traumatic events and/or crisis management, as well as for her knowledge, training and level of education. I am certified in basic and advanced EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) training for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other psychological issues, plus is also certified in Critical Incident Stress Management by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. I have also attended numerous international symposiums, workshops and seminars led by PA experts.

Research Works:

  • Reay, (2007). Psychological distress among adult children of divorce who perceive experiencing parental alienation syndrome in earlier years, ProQuest.
  • Reay, (2015). Family Reflections: A Promising Therapeutic Program Designed to Treat Severely Alienated Children and Their Family System. The American Journal of Family Therapy.
  • Bernet, Gregory, Reay & Rohner (2018). An Objective Measure of Splitting in Parental Alienation: The Parental Acceptance–Rejection Questionnaire, Journal of Forensic Sciences.
  • Bernet, Reay, Gregory & Rohner (2020). Measuring the Difference Between Parental Alienation and Parental Estrangement: The PARQ‐Gap, Journal of Forensic Sciences.
  • Bernet & Reay (2021). Rejecting the Rejection of Parental Alienation: Comment on Mercer, Journal of Family Trauma, Child Custody & Child Development. Volume 18, 2021 - Issue 3.


Memberships:

Present

  • B.C. Association of Clinical Counselors


Past

  • The Canadian Psychological Association
  • The American Psychological Association
  • EMDR Canada
  • EMDR Institute, Inc., USA (EMDRIA)
  • The National Center for Crisis Management
  • The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress
  • Diplomate, American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress in collaboration with the National Center for Crisis Management Fellow, American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress