Parental alienation is one of the most heartbreaking dynamics therapists encounter when working with divorced families. In this video, I break down the five structural stages of parental alienation through the lens of Salvador Minuchin's family systems theory—so you can recognize it early, assess it accurately, and intervene effectively.Whether you're a therapist working with teens who refuse to see one parent, or supporting devastated caregivers whose children won't stay with them anymore, understanding these five pillars will give you a clear roadmap for clinical intervention.I'll walk you through what a healthy family structure looks like, then show you exactly how it deteriorates step by step—from the initial fracture to the self-reinforcing lock-in stage. You'll learn to differentiate alienation from estrangement, recognize triangulation patterns, and understand why individual therapy with the child alone won't solve this systems problem.If you work with families going through high-conflict divorces, this structural breakdown will help you spot the warning signs before alienation becomes entrenched.
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