Topic:
The Implications of Coercive Control on Children
Join me and guest speaker, Dr. Christine Cocchiola, DSW, LCSW, for a Lunch & Learn on The Implications of Coercive Control on Children.
Dr. Cocchiola is one of the most respected voices in the field of coercive control. A social work professor with a Doctorate in Clinical Social Work from New York University, she was mentored by Dr. Evan Stark, a pioneering researcher in coercive control. She presents internationally to professionals, advocates, and protective parents, and developed The Protective Parenting Program, an evidence-based, attachment-focused therapeutic model for parents whose children have been harmed by abusive partners. She coined the terms "malicious fracturing of attachment" and "disintegrated intuition" to describe the psychological impact on children raised within a coercively controlling family system. Dr. Cocchiola hosts the Perfect Prey Podcast, authored the children's book Every Moment of Every Day, co-authored FRAMED: Women in the Family Court Underworld, and delivered the TEDx talk "It is ALL Coercive Control," viewed by 1.8 million people.
In this session, Dr. Cocchiola will explore how children experience betrayal trauma, dissociation, and the malicious fracturing of attachment inflicted by a predatory parent. We'll look at how this trauma shows up neurologically, behaviorally, and relationally — and, most importantly, the critical, healing role a protective parent plays in a child's recovery and long-term resilience.
If you are a protective parent trying to understand what your child is carrying, or a professional supporting families through these dynamics, this conversation will offer language, clarity, and grounded next steps.
Date: October 28, 2026
Time: 12 - 1pm MST | 2 - 3pm EST
Cost: Free!
Host:
Cat Climaco
Divorce, Custody & Co-Parenting Coach
Founder, Peaceful Presence Divorce Coaching
Guest Speaker:
Christine M. Cocchiola, DSW, LCSW
Christine M. Cocchiola, DSW, LCSW is a leading expert on coercive control and its impact on adult and child victims. As a social work professor, she holds a Doctorate in Clinical Social Work from New York University, where she was mentored by Dr. Evan Stark, a pioneering researcher in coercive control.
Dr. Cocchiola is a clinician presenting internationally on coercive control dynamics, training professionals, advocates, and protective parents on effective intervention strategies for victims of abuse. A social justice advocate since age 19, she developed The Protective Parenting Program, an evidence-based, attachment-focused therapeutic model for parents whose children have been harmed by abusive partners.
Her scholarly contributions include coining the terms "malicious fracturing of attachment" and "disintegrated intuition"—both describing the psychological impact on children living in a family system with a coercive controller/predatory parent. Drawing from her experiences as both a survivor and protective parent, Dr. Cocchiola hosts the Perfect Prey Podcast and has authored the children's book Every Moment of Every Day and co-authored FRAMED: Women in the Family Court Underworld. Her TEDx talk with 1.8 M views, "It is ALL Coercive Control," is available on YouTube.
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