REBROADCAST: Parental Alienation in Divorce with Dr. Amy J. L. Baker, Part 1
Jun 15, 2023
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Dr. Amy J. L. Baker discusses high conflict divorce and parental alienation, exploring the prevalence, causes, and impact on adult children. The conversation delves into defining alienation, terminology, and recommendations for parents whose children have cut them off.
Specialized skills in mediation increase settlement rates in high conflict cases.
Parental alienation is a complex family dynamic requiring differentiated diagnosis and specialized interventions.
Deep dives
Skills for Handling High Conflict Cases
One key point discussed in the podcast is the importance of having specialized skills to handle high conflict personalities in mediation. The episode highlights how specialized training for mediators can significantly increase settlement rates in high conflict cases. Bill Eddy's model for mediation led to an increase in settlement rates from around 75% to above 90% in high conflict cases. These trainings offer a blend of on-demand learning and direct Zoom training with experts, aiming to equip mediators with effective strategies for managing complex high conflict cases.
Understanding Alienation in High Conflict Divorce
The episode delves into the challenging dynamics of parental alienation in high conflict divorce cases. Dr. Amy J. L. Baker, an expert in parent-child relationships and parental alienation, sheds light on defining alienation as a family dynamic where one parent engages in behaviors fostering unjustified rejection of the other parent by the child. The discussion distinguishes between parental alienation, engendered by one parent's actions, and estrangement, which may be justified rejection by the child. The five factor model is highlighted as a tool to differentiate between alienation and estrangement, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive assessment in these complex cases.
Addressing the Prevalence and Complexity of Alienation Cases
The prevalence and complexity of parental alienation cases in the context of high conflict divorce are addressed in the podcast. While exact epidemiological data on the prevalence of alienation is lacking, discussions point to a perceived increase in awareness and self-identification with alienation behaviors. Dr. Baker and the hosts emphasize the importance of recognizing alienation as atypical in divorce situations, requiring specialized interventions and differentiated diagnosis. The episode underscores the challenges faced by courts in distinguishing between alienation and estrangement, highlighting the need for tailored treatments and understanding the unique dynamics at play in these intricate family dynamics.
While on hiatus, we’re re-releasing some of our past episodes. To start, we’re returning to our 2-part conversation with Dr. Amy J.L. Baker about high conflict divorce.
High conflict divorce and separation in the family courts consumes the majority of the court’s time and resources and provides the most frustration and confusion.
We talk with renowned parental alienation expert Dr. Amy J.L. Baker, the author of nine books including Co-parenting with a Toxic Ex, The High-Conflict Custody Battle, and Adult Children of Parental Alienation Syndrome. Alienation is one of the most challenging, confusing, and terrifying events in one’s life. Bill and Megan talk with Dr. Baker about:
Alienation defined
Terminology: parental alienation or some other term
Prevalence in divorce/separation
Whether it is increasing or not
Causes of alienation
Research on adult children of parental alienation
Whether adult children of parental alienation mostly connect or not with parents someday
Recommendation to parents whose children have cut them off?