Working with Adult-Child Survivors of Severe Parental Alienation Abuse: Survivors and Mental Health Practitioners Perspectives

Alyse Price-Tobler

doi:10.25907/00793

This two-part thesis delves into contemporary perspectives on severe parental alienation (SPA) by uncovering the firsthand perspectives of adult-child survivors and elucidating the challenges encountered by their mental health practitioners (MHPs) within the domains of SPA support and treatment. The term ‘adult-child survivor’ denotes an individual exposed to SPA during their formative years, while parental alienation (PA) encompasses the deliberate actions of an alienating parent (AP) negatively impacting the child's relationship with the targeted parent (TP). In instances of SPA, where child survivors endure heightened psychological abuse, symptoms escalate to distressing levels. For instance, these children exhibit adamant hostility, refuse visits, and even express threats to run away. An unhealthy alliance forms with the AP, leading to the destruction of the parent-child relationship and the manifestation of intense hostility, including paranoid delusions and unfounded apprehensions of potential harm or violence. Childhood exposure to severe levels of parental alienating behaviours (PABs) emerges as a pervasive and serious problem, wielding long-lasting adverse effects on adult-child survivors. Despite the gravity of the issue, MHPs often find themselves ill-equipped to address the unique needs of adult-child survivors due to limited professional development and the absence of established best-practice treatment protocols. Consequently, the research investigates survivors' perspectives and the challenges faced by MHPs, focusing on identifying efficacious and counterproductive mental health practices. Using a research methodology engrained in a social constructionist thematic analysis approach and a qualitative research design, the studies conducted semi-structured interviews with eleven adult-child survivors of SPA and ten MHPs acknowledged as experts in treating adult-child survivors of SPA. The investigation revealed that adult-child survivors face significant communication difficulties with MHPs, who lack sufficient knowledge about the social aspects of SPA and the associated complex intersecting traumas (CITs) during therapy. Despite the hurdles faced by adult-child survivors, the studies underscore their remarkable resilience, with 90% of participants achieving various professional and academic credentials despite their traumatic experiences. Additionally, the participants attested that their exposure to SPA and the lack of understanding from MHPs motivated them to actively pursue SPA information and resources, contradicting the prevailing negative narrative in current SPA literature. Furthermore, the studies highlight the ambiguity MHPs experience regarding the appropriate course of treatment, with ten MHPs reporting the implementation of thirty-seven unique therapeutic modalities and therapies. This diversity in approaches raises important questions about the efficacy of existing treatment practices. MHPs specialising in treating adult-child survivors also reported experiencing vicarious trauma, manifesting as physical and mental health issues. The interaction between clinical supervisors and MHP supervisees revealed a paradox where supervisees teaching clinical supervisors about SPA and PA contributed to burnout and subsequent discontinuation of collaboration, leaving specialist SPA MHPs without clinical supervision and at risk of psychological harm. An interesting discovery revealed that 50% of participating MHPs identified as highly experienced therapists with lived experiences of trauma, contradicting conventional advice against disclosing personal details to maintain professionalism. The studies also brought to light two anomalies in the data: heightened anxiety reported by approximately 75% of participants (n=3) abducted as children under eight described feelings of increased anxiety and still worried about being abducted as adults. This research has not been published in the existing child or adult SPA literature. While the present research has provided valuable insights into the experiences of adult-child survivors of severe parental alienation and abduction (SPAA) and the challenges faced by mental health practitioners (MHPs), it is essential to acknowledge certain limitations. Anomalous data revealing the potential exposure of SPAA survivors to factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIOA), commonly known as Munchausen by proxy, has surfaced within the study. This unexpected finding emphasises the complex and multifaceted nature of SPAA and the diverse forms of trauma that adult-child survivors may have endured. However, it is important to note that the exploration of FDIOA falls outside the predefined scope of this research. In conclusion, these studies advocate for recognising and addressing the unique needs of adult-child survivors and MHPs, emphasising the psychological impact of SPA and SPAA and the associated CITs. The studies underscore the imperative for further research and professional development in SPA and SPAA across various areas, aiming to equip MHPs with the knowledge and tools necessary to support adult-child survivors effectively. Additionally, the present findings lay the groundwork for clinical trials aimed at developing an evidence-based treatment protocol tailored for adult-child survivors. These trials hold the potential to shape therapeutic interventions that specifically address the nuanced challenges faced by this population, promoting more effective and targeted support. Simultaneously, clinical guidelines for MHPs are envisioned to emerge, offering essential insights into protecting themselves from vicarious trauma when working within this complex and sensitive population.

Working with Adult-Child Survivors of Severe Parental Alienation Abuse: Survivors and Mental Health Practitioners Perspectives

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