Intervening in Parental Alienation with Lisa Rothfus – Ep 15

In episode 15 of "Cases & Cocktails," Bryan and Janice Eggleston sit down with Lisa Rothfus, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and expert in parental alienation and reunification therapy. Together, they explore the challenges, remedies, and interventions for families dealing with severe alienation and high-conflict custody cases.

Accompanying this insightful conversation is a Paloma cocktail, made with grapefruit juice, tonic, blanco tequila, and garnished with rosemary and grapefruit—offering a refreshing contrast to a deeply serious discussion.

Understanding Parental Alienation & Its Remedies

Parental alienation occurs when a child is emotionally manipulated into rejecting one parent, often due to negative influences from the other parent or extended family members. Lisa emphasizes that while identifying alienation is relatively easy, fixing it is the real challenge.

Lisa has been working in high-conflict family law cases for over a decade and explains that standard therapy isn’t enough to undo the damage of alienation. Instead, she focuses on structured reunification therapy—a process that involves not just the alienated parent and child, but also extended family, step-parents, and even outside therapists.

Why Court Orders Matter in Reunification Therapy

One of Lisa’s biggest takeaways is the importance of properly structured court orders in parental alienation cases. She urges attorneys to ensure that court documents specify:

📌 "Reunification therapy" instead of generic family therapy.
 📌 Mandatory participation of all caretakers, including step-parents and grandparents.
 📌 HIPAA releases, allowing professionals involved in the case to communicate openly.

Without precise language in court orders, many reunification efforts stall or fail due to a lack of cooperation from the alienating parent.

The Levels of Intervention: Mild, Moderate & Severe Cases
Lisa classifies alienation cases into three categories, each requiring a different strategy:

1️⃣ Mild Cases – Can often be resolved through psychoeducation and parental coaching, where parents learn how their behaviors impact the child.

2️⃣ Moderate Cases – Involve resistance from the child and the alienating parent, requiring structured therapy and legal enforcement to ensure progress.

3️⃣ Severe Cases – The child has been fully alienated and refuses to see the other parent. These cases require intensive interventions, where Lisa works exclusively with the child and targeted parent in a four-day reunification program.

Lisa reports an astonishing 99% success rate in her intensive reunification interventions, with nearly all children reconnecting with the alienated parent immediately after treatment.

Can Alienating Parents Change?

One of the biggest concerns in parental alienation cases is whether the alienating parent will stop their damaging behavior. Lisa acknowledges that while some parents refuse to cooperate, others can engage in acknowledgment exercises, such as writing letters of accountability to their children.

However, legal enforcement is often necessary to ensure compliance. If alienating behavior persists, courts must take action to protect the child’s right to have a relationship with both parents.

Final Thoughts
Parental alienation is one of the most emotionally devastating challenges in family law. Lisa Rothfus’ work in reunification therapy and intensive interventions offers hope for families trying to heal fractured relationships.

If you or someone you know is struggling with parental alienation, it’s crucial to seek expert guidance early. Lisa’s proven methods and structured legal orders provide the best chance for success.