Target Parent

Coaching for Rejected (Target Parent) and Alienated Parents

Coaching for a rejected or "target" parent offers support and strategies to navigate the painful dynamics of parental alienation, helping them develop resilience, avoid common mistakes, and maintain an effective, loving relationship with their child despite the alienating behaviors of the other parent. This coaching focuses on present and future solutions, teaching targeted parents to avoid reactive behaviors, foster empathy, and serve as effective advocates for their children within complex legal and family systems.

What is Parental Alienation Coaching?

Focus: Coaching is tailored for targeted and/or alienated parents by providing them tools to cope with the intense pain and confusion of the situation.
Goal: To help the target parent and/or alienated parent become a more effective parent, prevent actions that worsen the child's alienation, and support the child's underlying desire to be loved by both parents.
Approach: Sessions are typically solution-focused, present- and future-oriented, with a strong emphasis on the parent's behavior and their relationship with the child rather than past issues.

Common Challenges Faced by Targeted Parents and/or Alienated Parents

Emotional Distress: The experience is described as watching a child "die" emotionally and spiritually, causing profound pain, stress, and confusion.
Mistakes to Avoid:
- Personalizing Rejection: Believing the child's accusations are lies and becoming overly reactive.
- Using Discipline: Engaging in negative campaigning or overly harsh discipline that can reinforce the false narrative of alienation.
- Reactive Behaviors: Engaging in a "convince-and-resist" cycle by constantly fighting against the ex-partner's allegations.

How Coaching Can Help

Building Resiliency: Empowering parents to develop coping mechanisms and inner strength to navigate the situation.
Promoting Effective Communication: Guiding parents to avoid behaviors that could increase the psychological distance from their child.
Fostering Empathy: Helping parents to see the alienated child's situation, recognizing that beneath the difficult behavior is a child who wants to love and be loved.
Advocacy: Teaching parents how to effectively interact with legal and mental health professionals in a way that supports their relationship with their child.

Theresa Barker MMFT, RMFT

Nationally Certified Custody Evaluator (PACE)

Coaching for Rejected (Target Parent) and Alienated Parents

What is Parental Alienation Coaching?

Common Challenges Faced by Targeted Parents and/or Alienated Parents

How Coaching Can Help