High Conflict and Alienation (3.5 hrs)

High Conflict and Alienation (3.5 hrs)

This new 2-hour course is in Video CD (CD-ROM) format, and requires a computer to view it. 

Overall Goals: To guide evaluators in understanding the dynamics of high conflict and alienation in family law cases.

Objectives: Completion of the 3.5-hour course will enhance your ability to:

• Discuss the personality traits and other factors that are associated with high conflict families
• Describe what recommendations are useful for high conflict families of divorce
• Implement strategies to help high conflict families lower their conflict and communicate in healthier ways
• Explain how high conflict and relevant personality traits contribute to alienation
• Discuss the continuum of alienation – estrangement – normal differences in attachment
• Describe the various contributing factors to children being alienated
• List the damaging effects of alienation on children
• Discuss the ultimate range of options available in alienation cases

For many child custody evaluators and attorneys, the task of dealing with high conflict families can be very difficult. The parents in these cases often have personality traits that further and reinforce the conflicts and make resolution very difficult. Additionally, other factors, including litigation and lengthy court processes may contribute to the conflict between parents. When families are in high conflict, a potential effect is the alienation of children. Children are at risk of becoming alienated when exposed to the conflict and when parents behave and stimulate emotions which lead to loyalty conflicts. This workshop will guide the evaluator through an understanding of the dynamics of high conflict families, the ways that conflict manifest, and strategies to help courts and families reduce the conflict. In addition, the workshop focuses on the dynamics of alienation, and how some children become estranged and alienated from a parent with whom they previously had a healthy relationship. Alienation cases will be differentiated from abuse cases or others in which children have historically had a poor relationship with one of their parents. Finally, strategies for dealing with alienation will be explored.