In family court settings, therapy is often presented as a neutral good. A corrective measure. A supportive intervention. A space where children can process emotions and families can heal. But in high-conflict, narrative-controlled systems, what is called therapy frequently serves a different function. It becomes a training environment. Not for insight. For alignment. The Structural Purpose of Court-Ordered “ Help ” Court-involved therapy rarely begins with open inquiry.

“The child is distressed — but don’t ask why.” “The child wants it to end — so blame the parent who’s fighting.” “The child is overwhelmed — therefore remove the parent, not the pressure.” “The child is hurting — let’s add more adults.” “The child is anxious — better cancel contact.” “The child is stressed — but keep the stressors.” “The child doesn’t want therapy — so force therapy.” “The child wants peace — so prolong conflict.” “The child is confused — let’s give her adult

The Double Standard No One Wants to Admit: Why Family Courts Protect a Child’s “Lifestyle” But Not Their Relationship With a Parent. For decades, family courts have justified massive child-support orders with a single argument: “A child should not experience two different standards of living when their parents separate.” It sounds noble. It sounds protective. And financially, courts enforce it with an iron fist. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: Family courts fiercely prote

If you’ve ever felt like your family court case reads more like a small-town soap opera than a legal proceeding, you’re not imagining it. Family court isn’t just a system, it’s a network, and that network protects itself. Welcome to Conflict Soup: Family Court Style, where everyone knows everyone else, everyone owes someone else, and your child is just the garnish floating on top. Let’s break down one of the most common, and most corrupt, patterns we see across the country.

SECTION 1. TITLE This act shall be known and may be cited as the “South Carolina Family Preservation & Integrity Act.” SECTION 2. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT (A) The General Assembly finds that: The right of parents to the care, custody, and companionship of their children is a fundamental liberty interest protected by the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of South Carolina. Decades of court practices have resulted in inconsistent application of

When “family” court “professionals” defend cutting a child off from a parent, they almost always claim it’s for “protection.” They say the child is “safer” without contact, or that the parent is “too harmful” to be in their life. But here’s the truth: if it were really about safety, the child would still have access to the safe parts of that parent’s world, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, and family friends. When a child is denied all of those relationships, t

What I’ve Learned About Fighting a Corrupt GAL For those of you stuck dealing with a corrupt “family” court “guardian” ad litem, let me say this as clearly as I can: Your kids know you. They know you better than some money-hungry imposter who claims to “speak for them” and act in their “best interests.” I’d say “at heart,” but let’s be honest, most of these people don’t seem to have one. I’ve witnessed this system. I’ve seen the games. The lies. The bias. The coercion. The wa

When people in power, a Guardian ad Litem, a therapist, a coordinator, or sometimes even a judge say, “You Can See Your Child When You Behave Better.” On the surface, it sounds like logic. “We just want you to be appropriate.” But underneath, it’s coercive control disguised as therapy and one of the The Most Subtle and Sanctioned Form of Psychological Control in Family Court. What that sentence really means is: “Your access to your child depends on your compliance with our na

When Guardians Ad Litem Become Part of the Problem Guardians ad litem (GALs) are supposed to protect children. They’re appointed to be the voice of the child, the neutral observer who cuts through the noise of litigation. But in too many family court cases, GALs don’t protect children, they protect narratives. The Meme Says It All, “If you encourage the alienating behavior of one parent while disregarding the evidence of alienation by the other parent… If you keep children aw

Do Family Courts Believe Only Criminals Get Divorced? Then Why Do They Treat Parents Like Felons? You don’t have to break the law to lose your child. You just have to walk through the doors of "family" court. Inside those walls, innocence isn’t presumed. It’s negotiated. And the only “crime” most parents have committed is divorce. The court that calls itself, "Family," has mastered the art of contradiction. It calls itself civil, but it functions like criminal justice without

How Family Court Professionals Publicly Preach Reform While Quietly Profiting from Dysfunction They smile in public posts, wear the badge...

A mother recently tried to get her child into therapy. She found a qualified provider. Trauma-informed. Licensed. Neutral. And what did...

“I Feel Stupid, But… What Is a GAL?” What Is a GAL Supposed to Be? GAL = Guardian ad Litem (Latin for “guardian for the lawsuit.”) In...

Family court is full of people who claim to be neutral. Therapists who say they’re just there to help the child. Guardians ad litem who...

“The System Will Call You Unqualified. But You’re an Autodidact.” Autodidact means: “A self-taught person.” And that’s what every parent...

Coercive Control Is Still Abuse, Even When It’s “Legal.” Parental alienation isn’t just about cutting a parent out of a child’s life,...

2025: When Spilled Coffee Is More Profitable Than Our Basic Human Rights Children are being ripped from safe, loving homes. Fit, devoted...

In the family court system, the success of a therapist working with children is often measured by one thing: Does the child comply with...

When Family Court Feels Like a Kidnapping Disguised as Justice What’s the difference between a stranger in a white van taking your child,...

Over the past few years, I’ve been loud, direct, and unfiltered about the crisis in family court, and I stand by what I’ve exposed. But I...