SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PARENTS OF ALIENATED CHILDREN’S NETWORK

FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Southern California Parental Alienation
Workshop:
A COMMUNITY RESPONDS
November 13, 2010

Featuring Dr. Amy J.L. Baker, Ph.D.

Karen Lebow, MA, MSW, LCSW
Valerie R. Houghton, RN, MFT, Esq.
Glenda Gerda, MA
Albert R. Gibbs, Ph.D.
California State University at Northridge
The Exponential Impact of
Alienation
Presented by Valerie R. Houghton
 The Emotional Impact
The Letter from Sally (a pseudonym)

The Comments from Sally’s Mom- the Targeted Parent

And The Impact on Each Family, Adult and Child
Depends on a Multitude of Factors
Check Our Own Pulse First
Developing the Inner Swan
 Several Factors Can Influence the
Intensity of a Child’s Reaction to
Parental Loss
These Factors Include:
1. Developmental Stage

2. Temperament

3. Trauma

4. Family Dynamics and Capacity

5. Details of the Events Leading Up to the Loss

6. Available Supports
 Development Which
Requires Adults
Infancy: Attachment: birth-18 months

Toddlers: Autonomy/Emotional Safety: 18 months- 3 years

Preschoolers: Differentiation/Power and Influence: 3-5 years

Early School Years: Affiliation and Choice: 5-8 years

Pre-Adolescence: Knowing Self & Reading Others: 9-12 years

Adolescence: Identity and Risk Prevention: 13 + years

Temperament & Coping

1. Aivi Level
2. Rhhmici
3. Approach-Widwal
4. Adaptabili
5. Intensi of Reaion
6. Threshold of
responsiveness
7. Quali of mood
8. Diibili
9. Aention span
(From: Chess & Thomas, 1977)
 It’s All About “the Fit”
Family Dynamics and Capacity
Family Members’ Coping Styles: Families who are on
Hold, Families Who Act in Parallel, Families Who Are
Estranged and the Turbulent Families

And Let’s Talk About Trauma

 Symptoms of PTSD
1. Reduced Involvement with Peers and Activities
2. Numbness of Responsiveness
3. Constriction of Emotion
4. Dissociative States
5. Foreshortened View of the Future
6. Flashbacks or Intrusive Recollection of Trauma
7. Reenactment of of the Trauma through play/words
8. Avoidance of Traumatic Cues (things or people who
are reminders of the event)
9. Lack of Concentration
10. Hyper-arousal, Hyper-alertness, Hyper-vigilance
11. Sleep Disturbances
12. Distractibility

( From “Silent Victims: Children Who Witness Violence”)

 Physiological Impact
Dr. Bruce Perry’s Work

Cortisol, PET Scans and the Fourth

Century Turf Wars which Created the
Artificial Mind/Body Distinction

CDC, NIMH, ACE Studies About

Child Treatment and Health Outcomes

TF-CBT Treatment Outcome Studies

for Post Trauma (Trauma-Focused
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment which
is Evidence-Based) (12-18 sessions with
the Child and Parent in Tandem and
Conjoint)
 What the Bleep?

Movie re: Meeting of the Physicists

Demonstrating the Effects of Kind
Words and Hostile Words on Water
in Petrie Dishes and Questions
about the Impact on the Physiology
of Humans
Louise Hay’s You Can Heal Your
Life
Brain Development
 Long Term Relational
Impact

The Story of Dick and Jayne

Ability to Bond/Attachment
Issues in Adulthood
Multigenerational Patterns:
Hatfields and McCoys “And
the Beat Goes On”
 More About
Multigenerational Jazz

Genograms & Patterns

CDC, NIMH Research

Funding

Concerns for the Future

 Exponential Powers

Earthquakes
Health Risks: Early Death
Rates for Traumatized
Children, ACE Studies
One + One + One= Seven
 Take Away Message
Take the High Road with
Your Behavior ... Develop
Your Inner Swan...
Acknowledge the Hardship
Only in Safe Places/Safe
People
Amy’s Essay about the “17
Ways...”
Taking Care of You... yes,
YOU
Each of You is a Champion
Foster the
Compassionate
Instinct
Humor and
Neuroplasticity
Restorative Justice
 Lower Your Cortisol...
Give Yourself a Cuddle

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed, we are perplexed, but not in
despair, persecuted but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed.” (Corinthians)

!ank y"...