This book is for clinicians – therapists, counselors, clinical social workers, and psychologists, who work directly with clients going through separation and divorce. It will help to prepare practitioners for the unique demands of working with families in custody litigation. Chapters are presented in a consistent format similar to training seminars and manuals. They begin with learning objectives and, when appropriate, end with a summary of suggested resources labeled as “Clinician’s Toolbox.” The resources include forms, supplies, media, and other practical reminders a therapist might consider adding to their repertoire of techniques when working with this population. Case vignettes provide real-life examples taken from the authors’ professional experience. The book begins with a brief historical look at divorce and custodial issues. The following two chapters discuss the causes for high-conflict dynamics and assessment procedures appropriate for private practitioners. Chapter 3 discusses assessment procedures appropriate for clinicians providing therapeutic services. Chapter 4 focuses on cases involving abuse allegations. Chapter 5 discusses the terminology and diagnostic codes clinicians should use when working with children affected by loyalty binds and unhealthy parental alignments. Chapters 6 through 10 are treatment chapters and provide clinicians with treatment goals and common techniques used to reach those goals. Chapter 11 describes specialized interventions used for severe cases of parental alienation. The book closes with a chapter on how mental health professionals working with this population can protect themselves from aggressive lawyers, mentally ill clients, and licensing complaints.
THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS FOR PARENT-CHILD CONTACT ISSUES: A Clinician’s Guide
$39.95
By Kelley Baker, Amy Eichler
Published 2025
262 pp., 7 x 10, 10 il.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1. A BRIEF HISTORY OF DIVORCE AND PARENT-CHILD CONTACT ISSUES
History of Child Custody
History of Parent-Child Contact Issues
Severe Contact Refusal
Parental Alienation
Chapter 2. CAUSES OF PARENT-CHILD CONTACT ISSUES
Loyalty Conflicts
Reactions to Circumstances of Divorce
Parental Conflict Pre- and Post Separation
Intimate Partner Violence/Domestic Violence
Parent Characteristics
Attachment
Child Characteristics
Age/Developmental Preferences
Vulnerability/Resilience
Stubborn Child
Anxiety or Depression
Family Dynamics
Unhealthy Alignments
Triangulation
Enmeshment
Parental Alienation
Estrangement
Parental Alienation/Estrangement- Hybrid Case
Family of Origin Issues
Chapter 3. ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS (CLINICIANS)
Assessment Resources for Clinicians
Pertinent Legal Information
Collateral Consults
Testing Instruments
Historical Timelines
Family of Origin Information
Transitions and Exchanges
Signs of Contact Issues in the Therapy Room
Child as a Client
Parents as Clients
Reactions to Intervention
Neutrality Bias
Areas of Investigation for Causes of Resistance
Chapter 4. CASES INVOLVING ABUSE ALLEGATIONS: DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN ESTRANGEMENT AND PARENTAL ALIENATION
The Five-Factor Model of Parental Alienation
Factor One
Factor Two
Factor Three
Factor Four
Factor Five
Chapter 5. DIAGNOSTIC CONSIDERATIONS
Child Affected by Parental Relationship Distress (CAPRD)
Parent-Child Relational Problem (PCRP) and Child Psychological Abuse
Interpersonal Violence and Distress
Parental Alienation
Levels of Resistance and Alienating Behaviors
Mild Symptoms of PA
Moderate Symptoms of PA
Severe Symptoms of PA
Chapter 6. TREATMENT PLANNING
Rapport Building
Assessing Motivation
Legal Orders
Intake Process
Forms of Resistance
Scheduling Issues
Extracurricular Activities
Stalling the Start of Therapy
Intrusiveness
Childís Resistance to Therapy
Why Traditional Therapy May Not Work
Assessment
Treatment Planning
Formalized Treatment Agreements
Chapter 7. TREATMENT WITH THE CHILD
Therapeutic Foci of Treatment
Lifting the Burden
Providing Protected Psychological Space
Finding Authentic Experience
Mild, Moderate, or Severe
Goals and Techniques of Treatment
Goal #1Build Rapport
Empathy
Building a Covert Therapeutic Alliance
Goal #2-Build Self-Esteem
Techniques
Goal #3-Help Child Individuate from Both Parents
Techniques
Goal #4-Develop Critical Thinking skills
Techniques
Goal #5-Integrate Psychological Split
Techniques
Goal #6-Decrease Anxiety and Trauma Responses
Techniques
Goal #7-Decrease Shame and Guilt
Psychological Instruments
Recommendations When Progress Stalls
Chapter 8. TREATMENT WITH THE FAVORED PARENT
Therapeutic Foci of Treatment
Goals and Techniques
Goal #1-Follow the Court Order
Goal #2-Understand Their Own Family of Origin Dynamics
Goal #3-Support the Relationship Between the Child and the Targeted Parent
Goal #4-Increase Insight and Take Responsibility
Cognitive Distortions
Parental Alienation Strategies
Suggestibility and False Memories
Goal #5-Increase Ability to Cooperatively Parallel Parent
Mental Health Issues that May Limit Progress
Recommendations When Progress Stalls
Chapter 9. TREATMENT WITH THE TARGETED PARENT
Therapeutic Foci of Treatment
Goals and Treatment
Goal #1-Build Rapport and Trust
Acknowledging Their Unique Experience
Getting to Know the Child
Goal #2-Shift From Anger and Betrayal to Empathy and Compassion
Goal #3-Improve Parenting Skills
Parenting and Parental Conflict
Parenting Alienated Children
Developmentally Appropriate Parenting
Preparing for Reunification
Goal #4-Increase Feelings of Hope and Empowerment
Goal #5-Coping with Grief and Loss
Ambiguous Loss
Increasing Support
Processing Ambiguous Loss
Goal #6-Preparing the Parent for Therapeutic Contact with the Child
Goal #7-Preparing the Parent to Receive the Child in Their Home
Safety Plans
Diffusing Conflict
Conclusion
Chapter 10. TREATMENT WITH THE FAMILY
Therapeutic Foci of Treatment
Goals and Techniques
Working with the Parents
Goal #1-Establish Expectations for the Therapeutic Process
Goal #2-Establish Healthy Communication Between the Parents
Goal #3-Establish Healthy Boundaries Between Households.
Parent and Family Member Pledge to Child
Working with Favored Parent-Child Dyad
Goal #1-Establish Healthy Boundaries Between Households
Goal #2-Favored Parent to Support the Relationship Between Child and Target Parent
Working with the Target Parent-Child Dyad
Goal #1-Restore the Authority of the Target Parent
Goal #2-Address Real Relationship Obstacles
Goal #3-Correctively Re-Experience the Family
Considerations with Siblings
Recommendations When Progress Stalls
Chapter 11. TREATMENT TEAM MODELS OF INTERVENTION FOR SEVERE CASES OF PARENTAL ALIENATION
Family Bridges
Turning Points for Families
The Family Reflections Reunification Program (FRRP)
Therapeutic Treatment Teams
Chapter 12. PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY AND PROTECTING YOURSELF
Social Media
Continuing Education
Review Treatment Progress
Court-Ordered Therapy
Professional Role Boundaries
Assessing Treatment Effectiveness
Testifying in Court
Subject Index