Parental alienation is a significant issue that could negatively affect a child. Sometimes, they could rewrite their history and relationship with the alienated parent, causing confusion, anxiety and depression. Fortunately, parental alienation is easy to spot.
Catching the signs could help the child receive proper treatment to mitigate psychological damage. Treatment could begin with a thorough assessment followed by various methods that could help reunite the child and the alienated parent. However, this could significantly depend on the case’s severity.
The following treatments could apply based on the circumstances:
- Mild to moderate: The child and the alienated parent could participate during treatment. They could begin interacting during therapy sessions to help them rebuild their connection. Still, the therapist could recommend diverse treatment techniques, allowing the child to foster affection for the alienated parent. The child could also undergo individual therapy sessions, giving them opportunities to review their negative feelings and process them appropriately.
- Severe: Therapists could recommend requesting necessary court orders when the alienation reaches an extreme level, affecting designated parenting time. The court could relocate the child to the other parent’s residence, restrict the alienating parent’s contact with the child and impose sanctions as needed. Court orders could include mandates addressing the parent’s alienating behavior with prohibition and professional help.
The court prioritizes the child’s welfare regarding parental alienation, requiring temporary separation to minimize damage. Additionally, the alienating and alienated parent could seek treatment to help the family recover completely.
Parents also suffer from alienation
Parental alienation is not a reflection of a parent’s character. Sometimes, they do not know they are committing alienating behavior. Therapists could recommend treatment for the alienating and targeted parents, helping them manage their situation.
The alienating parent might need help facing the damage caused by their actions, determining behavioral patterns and healthier alternatives. They could also have underlying issues, causing them to alienate the other parent unknowingly. Meanwhile, the targeted parent might require guidance on responding to their child’s behavior and minimizing harm.
Nevertheless, it all begins with looking out for the signs. Parental alienation could cause considerable damage to a family. Even so, the proper treatment could help them recover, rebuild and reclaim their family life.