Dynamics, Not Diagnoses: Assessing & Responding to the Best Interests of the Polarized Child

Dynamics, Not Diagnoses: Assessing & Responding to the
Best Interests of the Polarized Child
With Dr. Benjamin Garber
1.5 CE

Description: 
We’ve come a long way from incendiary, all-or-nothing disputes about alienation, but we’re still yet to understand the full range of dynamics that leave some children polarized within their highly conflicted family systems, aligned with Parent A and rejecting Parent B.

This presentation summarizes Dr. Garber’s FCR 2020 “Sherlock Holmes” paper and anticipates his forthcoming book, “Mending Fences: A collaborative, cognitive-behavioral ‘reunification’ protocol serving the best interests of the post-divorce, polarized child” (UnhookedMedia, 2020) describing an ecological model of high conflict family systems. Relevant literature is reviewed, yielding thirteen mutually compatible variables, all of which must be evaluated so as to more fully and accurately understand why any particular child has become polarized and how to best meet that child’s needs. A collaborative, cognitive-behavioral “reunification” protocol is described.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify and describe two dynamics of conflicted family systems
   
2. List and assess three common resist/refuse behaviors
3.  Within the context of an ecological model of family system dynamics, participants will be better prepared to educate the family law community about the variety of dynamics that can cause a child to become polarized within the conflicted family system.

Dr. Ben Garber is a New Hampshire licensed psychologist, parenting coordinator, expert consultant to family law matters across North America, speaker and author. Dr. Garber is a former Guardian ad litem. Dr. Garber has advanced degrees in psycholinguistics, developmental and clinical child psychology from the University of Michigan and The Pennsylvania State University. He completed an internship in clinical child and family psychology at the Institute of Living in Hartford, Connecticut. He is co-founder of the Parenting Coordination Association of New Hampshire, winner of the March of Dimes "Distinction in Media Excellence" award, and an acclaimed educator and author in numerous areas of child and family development and family law.

Cancellation Policy:
Refunds, minus a 35% cancellation fee, will be issued for all cancellations received two weeks prior to the start of the course (on or before August 14, 2020). No refunds or vouchers will be made thereafter. No-shows are not refunded.

Attendance policy:
Full attendance is required to obtain CEs per NHPA policy. No partial credit will be given. Those who attend the workshop and complete the evaluation form will receive 1.5 continuing education credits. Please note that APA CE rules require that we only give credit to those who attend the entire workshop. Those arriving more than 15 minutes after the scheduled start time or leaving before the workshop is completed will not receive CE credits and will not be eligible for the 15% premium discount described below.