Parent-Child Contact Problems: A Family Systems Framework For Parent Alienating Behaviors Presented By: Robert DiCarlo, Ph.D. Program Description This seminar will provide an overview of the complex dynamics involved when a child resists or refuses contact with a parent or another primary attachment figure. Although the term “parental alienation” has historically been used in the literature, this seminar will discuss a contemporary and more nuanced framework that accounts for the multifaceted interactions between family and environment. Attendees will be provided with information to better conceptualize cases with suspected parent-child contact problems, as well as psychological and legal strategies informed by the current literature. Considerable attention will be given to the ethical and professional dilemmas inherent in these types of cases, which includes the intersection of gender, race, and class, and other demographic variables. Program Level: Intermediate Learning Objectives 1. Describe five contributing factors to parent-child contact problems. 2. Differentiate between different types and levels of parent-child contact problems. 3. Identify three concerns regarding the importance of early intervention and the judicial response in addressing parent-child contact problems. 4. Describe three ethical concerns with treatment approaches related to reunification therapy, including recommending custody reversals. CE Credits: 4