Dr. Mark Singer: What Parental Alienation Really Is (and How to Respond)

When your own child starts treating you like the enemy, the panic can push you into the exact reactions that make it worse. In this episode, licensed psychologist Dr. Mark Singer, who works inside custody and family court evaluations, joins Lisa to explain what parental alienation actually is and how a targeted parent can respond.Dr. Singer clarifies that parental alienation is a set of behaviors rather than a formal diagnosis, and distinguishes it from estrangement caused by real harm. He and Lisa focus on what helps: unconditional love and patience over self-defense, boundaries that never make a child feel rejected, and the danger of punishing a child for the other parent's influence. They cover how step-parents and blended families shift the dynamic, why so many kids reconnect as they grow, and the reality of child safety and false allegations.This is strategic education, not legal or mental-health advice for your specific situation.✅ WHAT YOU'LL LEARN ✅ Why parental alienation is a set of behaviors, not a formal diagnosis ✅ The difference between alienation and estrangement caused by real harm ✅ Why defending yourself often backfires, and what to do instead ✅ How to set boundaries without making your child feel rejected ✅ Why punishing a child for the other parent's influence deepens the rift ✅ How step-parents and blended families change the dynamic ✅ Why so many kids reconnect later, and why consistency is everything ✅ Child safety, custody evaluations, and the reality of false allegations⏱️ TIMESTAMPS (+1:00 for the bumper) 0:00 Intro 1:00 What parental alienation actually is (and isn't) 6:00 Alienation vs. estrangement, and why the difference matters 14:59 Responding to a child who pushes you away 19:00 Boundaries without rejection, and why punishment backfires 25:08 Step-parents, blended families, and divided loyalties 34:00 Why kids reconnect as they grow, and how to keep showing up 41:05 Therapy, child safety, and the reality of false allegationsCTA (spoken): Living through parental alienation? Book a free discovery call at beentheregotout.com. Books: When Your Ex Turns the Kids Against You — https://www.amazon.com/Been-There-Got-Out-Against/dp/1967674183 · Been There Got Out — https://www.amazon.com/Been-There-Got-Relationships-Circumstances/dp/194627495X/ Tags: parental alienation, targeted parent, child rejecting parent, alienation vs estrangement, co-parenting, blended families, custody evaluation, false allegations, high conflict divorce