Athena McCullough, a licensed professional counselor and marriage and family therapist in Lakewood, Colorado, specializes in guiding parents through divorce and co-parenting while protecting children’s emotional health. In this talk, she explains the difference between severe parental alienation, which involves intentional efforts to turn a child against the other parent, and the more common alienating behaviors that parents often slip into without realizing it. These can include agreeing with a child’s negative view of the other parent or subtly undermining their authority.
Athena encourages parents to remember that all behavior communicates an unmet need. Instead of labeling kids as disrespectful, she advises slowing down and asking why they are struggling. Parents should remain calm and curious when children repeat negative comments, inviting them to share how it feels rather than rushing to defend themselves. By staying steady, empathetic, and consistent, parents provide children with security and help prevent alienation from taking root.