This foundational course for South African psychologists defines **parental alienation** and **custodial interference**, important…
Developed by the Parental Alienation Accreditation Alliance (PAAA), this first course in the series defines parental alienation and childhood psychological abuse, and is accredited by the HPCSA for CPD points. It introduces the clinical, legal and research context so that South African professionals from mental health, law, social work, education and family advocacy share a common language. Parental alienation is described as a condition in which a child, usually during a high-conflict separation or divorce, aligns with one parent and rejects the other without legitimate justification. The course covers correct terminology, warning signs in family systems, counterintuitive presentations, scope of practice and when to refer.
Part 1 – Defining the Problem of Parental Alienation and Childhood Psychological Abuse
This talk, developed by the Parental Alienation Accreditation Alliance (PAAA) provides a foundation for understanding and defining Parental Alienation.
Part 1 introduces the clinical, legal, and research landscape of parental alienation, ensuring that participants from diverse professional backgrounds - including mental health, law, social work, education, and family advocacy - share a common language and understanding before proceeding to more advanced topics.
Parental alienation is defined as a mental condition in which a child - typically in the context of a high-conflict separation or divorce - becomes unjustifiably aligned with one parent (the preferred parent) and rejects the other parent (the alienated parent) without legitimate justification. The course emphasises that this pattern is driven by psychological influence, manipulation, or interference by the favoured parent, extended family members, or professionals involved in the case.
Learning Objectives: