1st Edition
The Journey of the Alienated Child Healing the Hidden Trauma of Divorce and Separation
Dedication
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1 How to use this book
Taking your time
Therapist Notes
Chapter2 When Your Child Rejects You
Putting your oxygen mask on first
Therapist Note
Chapter 3 Childhood Relational Trauma
The Dynamics of Childhood Relational Trauma in Divorce and Separation
The Projective Pantomime
Moving Beyond Heroes and Villains
Therapist Notes
Chapter 4 Lighthouse Keeping
Building foundations for helping and healing
Understanding
Foundational Healing Steps
Stabilising and Anchoring
Containing and Connecting
Signalling and Guiding
Healing - The Journey Back to Wholeness
Therapist Note
Chapter 5 The Journey of the Alienated Child
Therapist Note
Chapter 6 The Right Action at the Right Time
The Right Action at the Right Time
Right Action at the Right Time - Trouble Shooting Skills
Therapist NotesContents
Chapter 7 Stage 1 Onset: Disorganised Attachment
What is disorganised attachment in this context?
What is happening to the child in stage one?
Projective entanglements
Behaviours seen in stage one
If my child is being harmed, shouldn't I try to stop it?
Mentalising in stage one
Operationalising stage one
Avoid placating
Routine, boundaries and protection
Create a protection plan
Holding space in stage one
Therapist Note
Chapter 8 Stage 2: Disappearance into Splitting
When Children Disappear
A Case Study
Therapist Notes
Chapter 9 Stage 3: Emergence with Disturbance in Self Organisation
The Landscape of Emergence
What is Happening to the Child in Stage Three
Emergence Predictions
Mentalising
Ambivalence and Shifting Emotions
Operationalising
Integration Follows Emergence
A Case Study
Therapist Note
Chapter 10 Stage 4: Integration
What is Happening to the Child in Stage 4
Behaviours in Stage 4
Notice Your Child's Behaviour
Holding Space: The Language of Parts
Moving Toward Integration: An Interpersonal Neurobiological View
The Work in Practice
Holding the Mirror Until the Self Returns
Therapist Notes
Chapter 11 Helping Your Child to Find Their Way Home
Therapist Notes
Notes
Index
Biography
Karen Woodall is a psychotherapist and co-founder of the Family Separation Clinic, where she specialises in working with children and families affected by relational trauma and family separation. Her work focuses on understanding the psychological and neurological impact of coerced alignment in children and supporting parents to respond therapeutically. Integrating attachment theory, neuroscience and relational psychoanalysis, she has developed the Lighthouse Keeping model of therapeutic parenting from her clinical work with families over almost twenty years. Karen trains practitioners internationally and provides expert consultation in complex family cases.
