Doing no harm: avoiding iatrogenic impact in Family Law cases
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Transcript of Doing no harm: avoiding iatrogenic impact in Family Law cases
Doing no harm: avoiding iatrogenic impact in
Family Law casesCharles Asher, JD
Hon. Michael ScopelitisMatthew Sullivan, Ph.D.
AFCC, Indianapolis, October, 2011
Iatrogenic The term iatrogenesis means brought
forth by a healer (from the Greek iatros, healer) Of or relating to illness caused by
examination or treatment.
Conflict pyramid
Litigation is a process that was developed for property disputes where there is not an enduring relationship post adjudication. The damage to ongoing relationships of the adversarial process was not a priority in developing the system.
Impasses to Divorce*
Intra-psychic Interpersonal Contextual/Systemic
Result in the failure to make the structural transition to functional coparents
*Johnston, J.R. & Campbell, L. (1988). Impasses of Divorce: The Dynamics and Resolution of Family Conflict. NY: Free Press.
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Intra-psychic:Personality Pathology
Enduring pattern of maladaptive behavior Onset by early adulthood Rigid and unchanging These patterns of behavior cause significant
distress in multiple domains of functioning They are outside the cultural norm
Personality Disorders
Cluster B Disorder (Engage Conflict) Histrionic: dramatic, intense, prone to
fabrication, borderline traits Borderline: extreme mood swings, fear
abandonment Narcissistic: preoccupied with self, entitled,
repression Antisocial: lack empathy, willing to hurt,
disregard societal rules, narcissistic
Interactional Level Legacy of a destructive marriage
High conflict is toxic, not divorce Ambivalent separation
shattered dreams Court processes are a forum to continue
engagement Traumatic separation
Negative reconstruction of other parent
Contextual/Surrounding System
Extended family Grandparents, new significant others,
Professionals The helping hand strikes again
The legal-adversarial system
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The tragic legacy of the Litigation ContextLitigants don’t make good coparents
Representation - advocacyDistrust SabotageWin/loseChaosUnilateral action In the name of the childFocus on the problem being the other parent -
adversariesDepleted resources - financial,emotionalDependency on litigation
Impact on Children Impaired reality testing Inaccurate perception and evaluation Separation difficulties Parentification (other focused) “Surreal sense of not existing”, Johnston
and Roseby Interference with identity development
Childhood experience in the post-divorce family is a training ground for personality pathology.