Impact of Parent Alienation on Custody Proceedings

High conflict custody cases, especially where there are allegations of parental alienation, are complex, expensive, and time consuming. These cases can harm children and their parental relationships. This program will look at how courts, researchers, and mental health professionals address allegations of parental alienation.

Janet Johnston, Ph.D., who has worked for three decades with high conflict families, especially those with domestic violence, alienation, and abduction issues, will be the keynote speaker. After clarifying the definition of parental alienation, Dr. Johnston will discuss the current debate over including parental alienation in the DSM-V and describe what research reveals to help the children and their parents involved in these cases.

Subsequent presenters will discuss the effects of parental alienation on children in interviews and in court. The program concludes with a judicial panel offering an ethics perspective on parental alienation.

The Washburn University School of Law Children and Family Law Center is a collaborative effort involving Washburn Law students, alumni, and faculty. Its goal is to prepare lawyers who can address the vexing problems that arise in the fields of child advocacy and welfare, and the protection of families.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Location:
Washburn University
Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center
17th and Jewell

Agenda

8:30 a.m. — Registration

9 a.m. — Keynote Address (Part 1) – The Alienated Child
Presenters: Janet R. Johnston and Stephanie Goodenow

9:50 a.m. — Break

10 a.m. — Keynote (Part 2) – The Alienated Child

10:50 a.m. — Break

11 a.m. — Client Meeting with Child: Identifying Alienation Issues (Part 1)
Presenters: Bethany Roberts and Dawn Wake

Noon — Lunch on your own

1:30 p.m. — Client Meeting with Child – Identifying Alienation Issues (Part 2)
Presenters: Bethany Roberts and Dawn Wake

2:30 p.m. — Courtroom Setting: The Child Witness
Presenter: Amy McGowan