For more than twenty-five years, Theresa has specialized in custody evaluations, bringing advanced training in areas such as parental alienation, estrangement, pathological enmeshment, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and mental health concerns — all grounded in evidence-based practice. She is recognized as a specialist in parental alienation both at the assessment level and in family therapy interventions.
Theresa has received significant and ongoing training in the field of parental alienation through a specialized study group and has trained directly with internationally renowned experts since 2013. She continues to collaborate with international experts in parental alienation research and practice. The majority of her practice involves supporting families impacted by parental alienation, particularly in the context of custody evaluations and family therapy. Her expertise is highly respected within the legal system and family law courts, where she has been qualified as an expert in parental alienation and related issues.
Theresa’s work reflects clinical depth and extensive experience in forensic settings and courtroom environments. She possesses significant expertise in custody evaluations, particularly in cases involving personality disorders such as Borderline, Narcissistic, and Sociopathic traits—knowledge that is crucial in high-conflict custody matters, especially those related to parental alienation.
Additionally, she is a Trained Team Leader with Family Bridges: A Workshop for Troubled and Alienated Parent-Child Relationships.
What sets Theresa apart is her unique ability to blend compassion with clinical precision, utilizing advancements in clinical practice and empirical science to address issues of parental alienation.
Families, legal professionals, and the court trust her balanced, non-judgmental approach, always focusing on the best interests of the child. With decades of experience, specialized training in family therapy, and a reputation for fairness and thoroughness, Theresa Barker is recognized across Canada and internationally as a highly respected and trusted authority in custody evaluations and high-conflict family matters.
Virgil
Graduated with academic and clinical distinction with an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Winnipeg (1998), with a focus on family therapy practices addressing issues such as custody evaluations and parental alienation.
Registered Marriage and Family Therapist with the Canadian Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, specializing in family therapy and custody evaluations. Member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. Active participant in the International Parental Study Group (PASG), focusing on issues like parental alienation. Also a member of Collaborative Law Manitoba, FAMLI (Family Arbitration Mediation Legal Institute, Manitoba), and FDRIO (Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario).
Dr. Steven Miller MD
Family Bridges Teaching Seminar, San Francisco, July 2017 – family reunification program (3 days workshop in person) focused on enhancing family therapy practices. Parental Alienation Study Group, International Conference, Washington D.C., October 2017 (2 days workshop in person) included discussions on custody evaluations. Parental Alienation Study Group, International Conference, Philadelphia, September 2019 (2 days workshop in person) further addressed issues of parental alienation. International Conference on Shared Parenting, Vancouver, Canada, December 2020 – Theme: “The Intersection of Shared Parenting & Family Violence” (Virtual attendee) explored the implications of parental alienation in shared parenting scenarios. Parental Alienation Study Group, Brussels, Belgium, September 2021 (Virtual attendee) continued the conversation on family dynamics. Basic Parenting Coordination Certificates Riverdale Mediation, Ontario, Canada, 2021 (Online training) offered insights into effective family therapy approaches. Advanced Parenting Coordination Certificates, Riverdale Mediation, Ontario, Canada, 2021 (Online training) deepened understanding of custody evaluations. Screening for Power Imbalances Including Intimate Partner Violence, Riverdale Mediation, Ontario, March 2022 (Online training) was essential for recognizing parental alienation dynamics. Parental Alienation Study Group, Ireland, October 2022 – Theme: “Reconnecting Family” (Virtual attendee) highlighted strategies to combat parental alienation. 5th International Parental Alienation Conference, Fort Collins, Colorado, June 2023 (Virtual attendee) focused on the impact of parental alienation on custody evaluations. Gaslighting in Family Law Cases, with Dr. Susan Remple & David Frenkel, May 2024 (Online training) addressed the intersection of family therapy and legal challenges. Discussing Client’s Sleep Issues, October 2024 (Online training) emphasized the importance of holistic approaches in family therapy. 6th International Parental Alienation Conference, Oslo, Norway, September 2024 (Online training) reinforced the need for best practices in custody evaluations. Co-lead Family Bridges Workshop with Dr. Yvonne Parnell, Winnipeg, Manitoba, January 2025 emphasized innovative family therapy techniques. Children 4 Tomorrow, 6th Annual Symposium on Parental Alienation, Austin, Texas, April 2025 (Online training) focused on advancing knowledge in parental alienation. PASG Best practices in parental alienation assessment, Toronto 2025, September 10-12 will provide critical insights into effective custody evaluations and family therapy practices. *Note: Parental alienation and related family dynamics are complex conditions requiring extensive experience. Theresa’s success as an expert in court and as a clinical professional is the result of decades of specialized training, hands-on practice, and collaboration with leading scholars in the field.
Copyright © 2025 Theresa Barker - All Rights Reserved.