Coercive control isn’t just about abuse, it’s about power, manipulation, and psychological warfare, especially when children are involved. Dr. Christine Cocchiola has spent over 20 years advocating for survivors of coercive control, domestic abuse, and child welfare. A trauma-trained therapist and creator of The Protective Parenting Program, she’s on a mission to educate parents about the hidden dangers of coercive control and how to protect their children from its long-term effects.
In this eye-opening conversation, Christine reveals the insidious ways coercive controllers operate, how they manipulate children, and why family court often fails to protect the most vulnerable.
Understanding coercive control and how it impacts children:
- What coercive control actually is and why it’s the foundation of all abuse
- The subtle but dangerous ways coercive controllers manipulate kids
- Why family court often sides with abusers, and how to fight back
- The hidden ways coercive controllers turn kids against the protective parent
- How to support your children if they’re being manipulated or emotionally abused
Coercive controllers don’t just abuse their partners, they weaponize children to maintain control. Dr. Cocchiola explains how to recognize it, protect your kids, and regain your role as their safe parent.
How to protect your child from coercive control:
🔹Prioritize connection over correction. Your child’s attachment to you is key.
🔹Recognize when your child is aligning with an abuser for survival.
🔹Stay emotionally regulated. Your child needs to see you as their safe space.
🔹Document everything. Coercive control thrives on secrecy and misinformation.
🔹Work with professionals who understand coercive control, not just standard custody cases.
Get Dr. Cocchiola’s FREE guide, Clinical Interventions for Children of Coercive Control: https://drchristinemarie.kartra.com/page/childvictimofccgrowthguide
Dr. Cocchiola’s Protective Parenting Program is designed to equip parents with the tools they need to navigate these incredibly difficult situations: https://go.drcocchiola.com/ppp-accelerated
If you’re facing a high-conflict custody battle or worried about your child’s safety, don’t miss this interview.
