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Surviving Parental Alienation with Dr. Amy Baker

January 10, 2023 | by Patricia M. Barbarito

Parental alienation has a devastating effect on both children and the targeted parent – but is it always malicious? What does an alienator tell themselves to justify the aggressive separation of child and parent? At what age are children most susceptible to the manipulation of one parent against another? Can alienated parents and children ever re-establish a healthy connection?

Host Pat Barbarito and featured guest Dr. Amy Baker explore these questions and more, as they delve into fear, sadness, financial loss, and court frustration associated with parental alienation during divorce/custody proceedings.

   

Conversation highlights also include:

  • Defining parental alienation, how experts use the term, and why it matters;
  • Why avoiding labeling the person and focusing on behavior is key when discussing parental alienation tactics and rebuttals;
  • Navigating the confusing idea that the alienated child feels rejected by the very parent they are rejecting;
  • The courts’ role in assessing alienation and requiring reunification efforts;
  • How a manipulative parent’s behavior can actually help the other side move forward in a custody battle;
  • The four mental hurdles that must be overcome to build and win a parental alienation case; and
  • Finding hope amongst the variety of paths to reunification.

BONUS: Dr. Baker offers a sneak peek into her as-yet-untitled new book designed to help parents engage with their hurt, angry, rejected, distant child, including 30 sample texts to send to encourage real time communication.

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATION: If you are experiencing parental alienation, please watch the Erasing Family documentary for confirmation that you are not alone and there is hope.

About Heartbreak & Hope

Heartbreak and Hope PodcastCo-managing partner and divorce lawyer Pat Barbarito thought she knew all about complex relationships and the laws that govern them – until her own marriage of 17 years ended and she determined to get to the heart of love, marriage, and human connection. Her journey spanned the entire scope of relationships – from the science of attraction to the financial impact of separation, to old myths that society still touts as true to new laws that outline how to navigate both uniting and uncoupling.

Heartbreak & Hope with Pat Barbarito offers insights, anecdotes, and guidance from a variety of experts and includes her own perspective on how best to thrive through any stage of relationship building.

   

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