Karen Woodall – Psychotherapist, Writer, Researcher, Trainer

The Lighthouse Academy from the Family Separation Clinic is dedicated to training parents in the rejected position in the skills of therapeutic parenting for children with disorganised attachment behaviour. We base this training upon the successful interventions with severely alienated children over many years. We know that children who recover from the harm they suffer when they are trauma bonded to abusive parents are those with parents who have been rejected but who are able to help their children heal with the skills and knowledge that match their needs. We know that this work is hard for parents, who are themselves traumatised by the experience of a child’s rejection. Safe, seen, soothed and secure is what we want for all parents of alienated children for this holiday season and beyond and what we want for all alienated children for 2025. Thank you to all who have joined with us in working with the skills and practice of therapeutic parenting, we have had tremendous feedback on the power of this approach for all children who have suffered from disorganised attachments during and after divorce and separation and we know from the successful outcomes of our work with families that this is truly the road forward to help those children who are at risk of long term harm due to the lack of focus on their needs, the silencing of their healthy parent and the inadequacy of systemic responses to this form of child abuse. Our mission in 2025 is to raise awareness of this harm across all levels of society and provide parents with the resources to heal their children as well as advocate for widespread understanding. As you go through this holiday season, know that you are not alone, you are seen and you are safe.