Therapeutic Interventions for High-Conflict Separated Parents Families: A Road Map for Early-Career Therapists

Abstract

High-conflict separated parents (HCSPs) refer to parents who are divorced or separated and are engaged in ongoing conflict. While a large percentage of married couples conclude with divorce and subsequently engage in extended conflict, there is a lack of clinical research and training for therapists aspiring to address this population. As such, this article provides an overview of HCSPs, a framework to understand risk factors associated with high-conflict families, and reviews short-term and long-term negative effects on children and families. This paper also discusses therapeutic intervention strategies known in the literature and predictors of treatment success. Individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, and parenting coordination strategies are also discussed. Additionally, clinical guidelines and practical tools are shared, as a way to provide structure during what can be a fluid and complex experience. Intervention pathways are described in detail from assessment to intervention to resolution. A case example, based on clinical experience, is also used to illustrate to early-career therapists how one may navigate a case. A review of the literature highlights the need for increased research and training for therapists encountering this complicated and understudied population.