Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes

1059-Overcoming the scars of ACEs and parental alienation

Listen Later

Parental Alienation Defined

  • Parental alienation is not abandonment or protecting a child from abuse; it is a form of psychological abuse.
  • It involves a deliberate campaign of denigration, brainwashing, and manipulation of the child to reject the other parent.

    • Alienating Behaviors

    • Alienation occurs when one parent actively manipulates a child against the other parent, which can be unconscious or conscious.
    • These behaviors involve brainwashing, manipulating, or lying to the child, often supported by family members or other influential figures in the child’s life.

      • The Impact on Children

      • Parental alienation disrupts children’s primary attachment bonds, causing deep psychological harm.
      • Children may develop symptoms like Stockholm syndrome, where they begin to rationalize the alienating parent’s behavior and vilify the targeted parent.

        • Alienation as an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE)

        • Parental alienation is considered psychological abuse, one of the categories of ACEs.
        • It often coexists with other forms of trauma, such as witnessing abuse of the targeted parent, resulting in compounded trauma.

          • Long-term Psychological and Physical Effects

          • The chronic stress of alienation can lead to developmental delays, emotional dysregulation, autoimmune issues, and sleep disturbances.
          • Alienated children often exhibit hypervigilance, impulsivity, and distorted thinking patterns, which affect their relationships and behavior in adulthood.

            • Types of Alienating Parents

            • Alienating parents may have their own psychological issues, including codependency, narcissistic tendencies, antisocial traits, or borderline personality disorder.
            • They often manipulate children out of their fear of rejection, unresolved trauma, or a need to control.

              • Interventions for Healing

              • Interventions include creating a sense of safety for the child, addressing internalized negative beliefs, and helping the child develop secure attachments.
              • Therapy should focus on grieving the loss of the parental relationship and addressing guilt from the manipulation.


                • Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

                ...more
                View all episodesView all episodes
                Download on the App Store
                Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipesBy Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes
                • 4.7
                • 4.7
                • 4.7
                • 4.7
                • 4.7

                4.7

                589 ratings

                More shows like Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes

                View all
                Psychology In Seattle Podcast by Kirk Honda

                Psychology In Seattle Podcast

                1,130 Listeners

                The Trauma Therapist by Guy Crawford Macpherson

                The Trauma Therapist

                528 Listeners

                Therapy Chat by Laura Reagan, LCSW-C

                Therapy Chat

                684 Listeners

                Counselling Tutor by Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes

                Counselling Tutor

                122 Listeners

                Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson by Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Forrest Hanson

                Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

                2,467 Listeners

                Therapist Uncensored Podcast by Sue Marriott LCSW, CGP & Ann Kelley PhD

                Therapist Uncensored Podcast

                1,387 Listeners

                Attachment Theory in Action by The Knowledge Center

                Attachment Theory in Action

                148 Listeners

                The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy by Curt Widhalm, LMFT and Katie Vernoy, LMFT

                The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy

                240 Listeners

                Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast by David Puder, M.D.

                Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast

                1,321 Listeners

                Light Up The Couch by Clearly Clinical

                Light Up The Couch

                321 Listeners

                The Healing Trauma Podcast by Monique Koven

                The Healing Trauma Podcast

                427 Listeners

                Notice That by Jen Savage, Melissa Benintendi, and Bridger Falkenstien

                Notice That

                308 Listeners

                Therapy in a Nutshell by Therapy in a Nutshell -Emma McAdam

                Therapy in a Nutshell

                534 Listeners

                Trauma Rewired by Jennifer Wallace & Elisabeth Kristof

                Trauma Rewired

                305 Listeners

                Psychology Unplugged by Dr. Corey J. Nigro

                Psychology Unplugged

                691 Listeners