Amy J L Barker

Amy J L Baker, Ph.D. is an American developmental psychologist, nationally recognised expert in parental alienation and parent–child relationships and children’s experiences of divorce. She is the author or co-author of numerous books and research articles on helping families navigate high-conflict situations. She holds a doctorate in developmental psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University, and has dedicated her career to research, writing, and clinical support on how family conflict affects children’s emotional well-being. She serves as the Director of Research at the Vincent J. Fontana Centre for Child Protection at the New York Foundling. Her work focuses on how children are affected by divorce, loyalty conflicts, and psychological maltreatment, and she provides practical guidance for parents, professionals, and children facing these challenges. Dr. Baker has published numerous books and academic articles on topics including parental alienation, loyalty conflicts, psychological maltreatment, and strategies for helping families navigate high-conflict situations. She is also a sought-after speaker and consultant for both mental health professionals and families, offering compassionate, evidence-based guidance for those affected by divorce and relational stress.
Getting Through My Parents’ Divorce, co-authored with Katherine C. Andre, Dr. Baker provides a child-friendly workbook designed to help kids understand their feelings, cope with the stress and challenges that arise when parents separate or argue, manage the emotions and maintain healthy emotional connections with both parents during divorce and conflict, offering supportive exercises and coping tools tailored to young readers.