Understanding Parental Alienation; Learning to Cope, Helping to Heal

Understanding Parental Alienation is intended for parents who are living through a nightmare the loss of their relationship with a child which seems impossible to understand and extremely frustrating to turn around. This book, written by two leading experts in the field, provides a balance of theoretical background and practical hands-on information to guide both parents and practitioners through this devastating phenomenon. The authors many years of experience have shaped their understanding of the causes of parental alienation, the manifestations of this serious mental health condition, and interventions that are likely to be helpful in the short-term and the long-term. The book is written in a readable, engaging manner interspersed with interesting case vignettes. As well as introducing some new theoretical concepts, such as the transition bridge, and helping the reader to understand the unique dynamics of the child's rejection, perhaps the most original parts of the book focus on taking action to deal with the problem and strategies for healing. The authors provide practical advice on preparing for court including how to develop a chronology of events and how to prepare a written submission, even down to choosing a writing style that is most likely to be read by the judge. Specific guidance is also provided on how to help alienated children heal through reunification. Understanding Parental Alienation is a highly valuable resource for parents and a must-read book for every mental health professional, social worker or legal professional working with families in divorce.

Karen Woodall is a highly experienced psychotherapist who has worked with divorced and separated families since 1991. She has specialized in developing new ways of working with alienated children and their families since 2006 and is now widely regarded as one of the foremost experts in the field. Using internationally accepted standards and protocols, she provides both assessment and treatment routes through the family courts. Her influential blog has a worldwide readership.
Nick Woodall has worked with separated families since 1999 and co-founded the Family Separation Clinic with Karen in 2010. In addition to his therapeutic work with alienated families, Nick is an expert witness in the United Kingdom family courts. He has worked extensively on family policy, developing new services for the UK Gov­ernment. A former BBC Online parenting expert, Nick has written widely on family separation and divorce.
Karen and Nick began working together in 1999 and were married in 2006. They are the co-authors of The Guide for Separated Parents: Putting Children First and live and work in London.