How to Prevent Parental Alienation? In an impending court case, child custody cases involving Parental Alienation Syndrome generally will require expert testimony and evidence demonstrating that a parent is sabotaging the child's relationship with the other parent. Suppose you believe parental alienation may be occurring. In that case, you must obtain legal advice and assistance as soon as possible to ensure the best possible outcome or to guarantee a smooth transition for your child's relationship with both parents. While parental alienation may factor into a judge's determination of custody, its influence will vary from one case to another, and parents should always investigate treatment for parental alienation and other options. In the most extreme instances of parental alienation, the child may develop an extreme dislike or even actual hatred towards the parent who was not favored, and that parent may refuse to participate in educational meetings or acknowledge that parental alienation has occurred. With regards to evaluating mental health, a psychiatric evaluation and/or meeting with a mental health provider may help intercept parental alienation earlier in the process and help to ensure the child’s emotional well-being is supported. To sum it up: parental alienation occurs when two parents separate or divorce, and it causes a disturbance in the family system. In this situation, shared parenting with a structured parenting plan is the most functional choice. One must always remember that one parent’s affection or willingness to be in the child’s life outweighs the other parent’s dislike/hate for the other parent. If you do not choose this default option, then irrevocable harm to the disfavored parent and the child is possible. It is also crucial to recognize and accept that this will happen and then work proactively to help everyone cope in the process of maintaining their mental health. Most importantly, don’t be reluctant to reach out for support when you need it.