Parental Alienation Is Psychological Maltreatment
Parental Alienation (PA) affects an estimated 3.5 million children and 30 million parents in the U.S., making it a critical concern for mental health and child welfare professionals. This evidence-based training explores PA as a form of Psychological Maltreatment (PM), offering practical tools to recognize, assess, and intervene in high-conflict custody cases.
Participants will learn how PA aligns with the 6 forms of psychological maltreatment defined by APSAC, the 5 core criteria for PA, and the 17 alienating strategies identified by Dr. Amy J.L. Baker. The session also covers DSM-5 codes, severity levels, ACES research, and clinical applications. Through Cheryl Mefferd’s personal story and Shari Linger’s professional insight, attendees will gain both a human and clinical perspective on this often-misunderstood issue—equipping them to support affected families with greater clarity, compassion, and confidence.
Learning Objectives
Define Parental Alienation (PA) using current, evidence-based research.
Identify the 6 forms of Psychological Maltreatment (PM) as outlined by the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC), and demonstrate how PA behaviors align with each category.
Recognize the 5 essential criteria required for identifying a valid case of Parental Alienation.
Describe and explain the 17 alienating strategies & 5 Categories developed by Dr. Amy J.L. Baker and how these tactics impact the child’s perception of the targeted parent.
Differentiate between the 3 levels of PA severity and apply the criteria used to assess and classify each level.
Assess the psychological and developmental impact of PA on children, including emotional, cognitive, and behavioral consequences.
Understand the connection between PA and the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) study, and its implications for long-term mental health outcomes.
Apply up to 8 relevant DSM-5 diagnostic codes commonly used to document psychological maltreatment in cases involving PA.
Identify red flags and manipulative behaviors commonly used by alienating parents, particularly in high-conflict custody situations.
Identify the 8 Behaviors Used to Identify PA .
Develop practical strategies for clinical assessment, intervention, and collaboration with legal professionals in cases involving PA, while maintaining ethical and trauma-informed practices.
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Presenter: Cheryl Mefford, BSN, RN
Cheryl Mefferd, BSN, RN, is the Founder of Parental Alienation Speaks, a registered nurse, educator, and stepmother to three amazing (now alienated) children. A breast cancer survivor and fierce advocate, she draws from personal and professional experience to raise awareness of parental alienation as a form of psychological abuse. Her evidence-based resources and powerful storytelling have reached audiences worldwide. Cheryl is passionate about helping others and brings strength, compassion, and clarity wherever she goes. Above all, she gives God the glory for her healing, her sense of purpose, and the opportunity to serve and support those in need.
Missouri Mental Health Counselors Association (MMHCA) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 2059. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. MMHCA is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
*Training could be cancelled or postponed if there are not more than 5 registrants for this date’s training. By registering for this training using the MMHCA Online Education Platform, you are acknowledging your participation and payment for this course. Should you, the participant, need to withdraw from a registered course, you must provide a minimum of 48 hour notification to MMHCA by contacting us. Upon notification you will be permitted to re-enroll into another course within the fiscal operating year or may request a refund. Refunds for courses are 75% of your total enrollment costs. Individuals who do not attend a training that was paid and registered for will not qualify for a reimbursement for the course or rescheduling the course because prior notification was not conducted.
