Parental Alienation Syndrome in Montebello & Newport Beach, CA
Helping parents rebuild trust, reconnect with their children, and heal the wounds of high-conflict separation.
When You Feel Like You're Losing Your Child—and It’s Not by Choice
Parental alienation can be one of the most heartbreaking experiences a parent can face. You’re showing up. You’re trying. But somehow, your child pulls away, echoes words you’ve never said, and treats you like the villain in a story you never wrote.
Maybe your co-parent is painting you in a negative light. Maybe your relationship with your child feels strained, distant, or completely broken. And maybe you're questioning your worth as a parent, wondering how something so painful could even happen.
You are not alone—and you are not powerless.
At The Couples Therapy and Reunification Counseling, we, primarily our coach Sandylu, specializes in helping families in Montebello, CA work through the emotional impact of parental alienation syndrome. Whether you're navigating high-conflict divorce, strained custody arrangements, or court-ordered reunification, our trauma-informed therapists are here to support you every step of the way.
What Is Parental Alienation Syndrome?
Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) occurs when a child becomes emotionally distant or estranged from one parent due to the psychological manipulation or negative influence of the other parent. This is not just typical family conflict—it’s a breakdown in the parent-child bond that can feel both confusing and heartbreaking.
You may notice:
Sudden rejection or hostility from your child with no clear reason
False accusations or rewritten memories of past events
A deep emotional divide, even when you’ve been present and loving
Signs of anxiety, depression, or confusion in your child’s behavior
Left unaddressed, PAS can cause long-lasting damage to both the child’s development and the parent-child relationship. Therapy offers a compassionate, structured path toward restoring trust, understanding what’s been lost, and rebuilding the connection you both deserve.
How Parental Alienation Shows Up in Families
Parental alienation isn’t always loud or obvious—but it can slowly erode the bond between you and your child. Here are some of the ways it may show up:
1. Sudden Rejection or Hostility from Your Child
Your child begins to reject you without clear cause. They may seem angry, dismissive, or emotionally shut down—seeing you as “all bad” and the other parent as “all good.”
2. Manipulation from the Other Parent
The other parent may speak negatively about you, limit your contact, or pressure your child to choose sides—undermining your role and creating emotional distance.
3. Blocked Communication and Contact
Phone calls go unanswered. Visits are canceled or sabotaged. You feel shut out, with little chance to maintain a healthy relationship with your child.
4. Emotional Confusion for the Child
Your child may struggle with anxiety, misplaced loyalty, or guilt—often without fully understanding why. Their sense of safety and connection becomes distorted.
5. Legal and Custody Challenges
You may face false accusations, court delays, or intense custody battles that complicate your efforts to stay involved and connected.
6. Deep Emotional Toll on You
The experience of being pushed out of your child’s life can lead to grief, helplessness, anxiety, and even depression. You might feel like you’re fighting a silent battle no one sees.
Understanding Parental Alienation and Estrangement
Parental alienation happens when a child is influenced—intentionally or unintentionally—to distance themselves from one parent due to the actions or words of the other parent or outside influences. This often shows up during high-conflict custody battles or unresolved emotional wounds, where one parent may be falsely accused, consistently undermined, or portrayed in a negative light. Over time, this erodes the bond between child and parent, causing deep emotional distress on both sides.
Estrangement, by contrast, often results from genuine breakdowns in the parent-child relationship—such as emotional disconnection, past conflict, or unhealed trauma. While both can feel devastating, estrangement is usually driven by internal dynamics rather than manipulation from another parent.
At The Couples Therapy and Reunification Counseling, we help families navigate the complexities of both parental alienation and estrangement. Using structured, evidence-based therapy, we work to rebuild trust, reestablish safety, and support healthy reconnection between parents and children.
If you’re feeling lost in the pain of disconnection, know this: you’re not alone—and healing is possible. Reach out to learn how we can support your family’s path forward.
Begin Healing from Parental Alienation Syndrome in Montebello, CA
Browse our team of trauma-informed therapists in Montebello and find the right fit for your journey.
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Therapists in Montebello, & Newport Beach, CA
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Maria Jessica Quiroz, LMFT
Clinical Director Reunification and Couples Expert
Relationship Expert
Montebello and Newport Beach, CA
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![headshot of sandylu guerrero a mental health coach in montebello ca at the couples therapy and reunification counseling]()
Sandylu Guerrero
Co-Parenting & Reunification Coach
Montebello, CA
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![Michelle Cortez]()
Michelle Cortez, AMFT
Reunification & Couples Specialist
Newport Beach, CA
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![headshot of angelique st jean an addiction counselor in newport beach ca at the couples therapy and reunification counseling]()
Angelique St. Jean
Addiction Recovery, Trauma, and Family Systems Therapy
Newport Beach, CA
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![headshot of matzalen navarro a blended family therapist in montebello ca at the couples therapy and reunification counseling]()
Matzalen Navarro
Blended Family and Premarital Counseling
Montebello, CA
Frequently Asked Questions About Parental Alienation Syndrome
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Parental Alienation Syndrome occurs when a child becomes estranged from one parent due to psychological manipulation or negative influence by the other parent. This often leads to unjustified fear, hostility, or rejection of the targeted parent. PAS can severely impact the parent-child relationship and the child's emotional well-being.
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Therapy provides a structured, supportive environment to address the effects of parental alienation. At The Couples Therapy and Reunification Counseling in Montebello, CA, our trauma-informed therapists work with families to:
Rebuild trust and communication between the alienated parent and child
Address underlying emotional issues contributing to the alienation
Develop coping strategies for both parents and children
Facilitate court-ordered reunification processes when necessary.
Our goal is to restore healthy, loving relationships within the family.
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We are an out-of-network provider, which means we don’t bill insurance directly—but you may still be eligible for reimbursement. We partner with Mentaya Health to help clients easily check their out-of-network benefits and file for reimbursement, often covering up to 60–80% of therapy costs.
This allows you to get the support you need without being limited by insurance networks. If you’re unsure about your coverage, we can help walk you through the process.
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During your free 15-minute consultation, you'll have the opportunity to:
Discuss your specific concerns and goals
Learn about our therapeutic approach to parental alienation
Ask any questions about the therapy process
Determine if our services are the right fit for your family's needs
This no-pressure conversation is designed to provide clarity and comfort as you take the first step toward healing.
Visit Our Mental Health Clinic
Office Address: 3524 W Beverly Blvd Montebello, CA 90640 (Los Angeles)
1001 Dove Street, Suite 270, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (NewPort Beach)
Hours
Monday 9am–6pm Tuesday 9am–6pm Thursday 9am–6pm Friday 9am–6pm Saturday: 8am - 4pm
Phone
(562)-774-6787
![A blue badge with a scalloped edge stating 'Insurance Friendly Practice' and 'We partner with Mencora' beneath a pink and white handshake icon.](https://<a href="https://mentaya.com" target="_blank"><img height=210 src="https://storage.googleapis.com/zaya-health.appspot.com/public-images/mentaya_partner_badge_light.png" border="0" alt="Mentaya Badge"/></a>){kind=icon}
🚨 Important Notice: Emergency Situations 🚨
If you are experiencing a crisis, feeling unsafe, or need immediate assistance, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
For mental health emergencies, you can also contact:
📞 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Dial 988 (Available 24/7)
📞 National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-7233
📞 Crisis Text Line – Text HELLO to 741741
Our practice does not provide emergency services. If you need immediate help, please seek emergency support.
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