Tina Swithin of One Mom’s Battle (OMB) spreads lies about reunification programs, such as Turning Points for Families (TPFF).
TPFF is a therapeutic vacation which Courts rely upon to safely and effectively reconnect severely alienated children with their alienated parent.
TPFF is not a “reunification camp” as Swithin falsely claims in order to slander effective reunification programs.
In this article I will:
- Respond to Swithin’s lies about reunification therapists and so called “reunification camps.”
- Report the truths about TPFF, a safe and effective reunification program.
- Point a positive way forward to heal children who are severely harmed by parental alienation.
SWITHIN’S HARMFUL LIES: Reunification Camps and the Alienation Industry
The Label “Reunification Camps” Is Made-Up
The reunification camps label is mischievously and maliciously designed to imply “boot camp” or “concentration camp.” The purpose is to create horror about safe and effective reunification programs.
TPFF meets with only one family at a time in a family setting. TPFF relies upon family memorabilia and child-appropriate and enjoyable activities to heal family relationships and restore healthy family hierarchy.
FURTHER READING: Will the Real Tina Swithin Please Stand Up – Experts Inquire
Tina Swithin Is Not an Expert on Reunification Programs
Tina Swithin is not a credentialed clinician. She does not hold any licenses in family assessment, family therapy, specialized treatment for alienation, child custody, domestic violence, child abuse, or any related field.
Swithin is therefore unqualified to offer her opinions on alienation or reunification therapy.
FURTHER READING: Harmful Lies Perpetuated by Tina Swithin of One Mom’s Battle
Reunification Programs Are Accountable & Safe
Swithin’s false claims that reunification programs traumatize children and lack oversight are utterly devoid of merit.
Swithin knows TPFF was found to be safe and 96.4% effective in remediating severe cases of parental alienation.
TURNING POINTS FOR FAMILIES RESEARCH STUDY
Court Oversight
TPFF is accountable to the Court that ordered the reunification intervention and is Court-reviewed from beginning to end.
Subsequent to the 4 day-intensive intervention, the Court holds mandatory hearings to assess improvement in the relationship between the alienated parent and child and to determine if the alienating parent is complying with the Court-ordered stipulations that applies to that parent.
Except for the cases in which the alienating parent had violated the protective separation, the Court found TPFF to have met its expectations for the reunification intervention.
TPFF has ongoing Court oversight throughout. All interventions are reviewed several times by the Courts which had ordered the intervention. Swithin conveniently IGNORES these facts and fails to cite them in her online criticisms.
FURTHER READING: Tina Swithin’s Behaviors Are Harmful to Alienated Children
Licensing Board Oversight
Reunification therapists are accountable to their licensing boards and must comply with the board’s ethical and clinical mandates.
Reunification therapists are also required to take periodic continuing education workshops in order to keep their licenses in effect and their skills current.
Swithin knows that Court appointed reunification therapists are licensed mental health clinicians, and Swithin conveniently IGNORES the fact that I am double-credentialed as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Reunification Programs Protect Children From Abusive Parents
Courts refer cases to TPFF after having made a finding of child abuse against the alienating parent. Here are the child-abusive behaviors committed by alienating parents:
- Alienating parents psychologically abuse their children.
- Alienating parents engage in coercive control tactics to rob their children of positive feelings and need for their alienated parent. These behaviors meet the standard definition of domestic violence.
- Alienating parents engage in coercive manipulation of children to maltreat, reject, defy, and even physically assault their alienated parent. These behaviors meet the standard definition of domestic violence by proxy.
Swithin IGNORES the fact that TPFF is Court ordered after the Court has made a finding of child abuse against the alienating parent. Swithin spreads the false narrative that TPFF places children with an abusive parent.
Courts Impose a 90 Day Protective Separation Between the Alienating Parent and Child
After a finding of child abuse has been made against the alienating parent, the Court imposes a 90 day protective separation between the alienating parent and child. Alienating parents must comply with the Court’s requirement to engage in appropriate therapy to relinquish their alienating behaviors.
Until alienating parents demonstrate that they are ready, willing, and able to support their child’s relationship with the other parent, Courts will not restore contact.
Swithin IGNORES the fact that the 90 day protective separation is a decision made by the Court. Swithin spreads the false narrative that TPFF is responsible for keeping children from a safe parent for a minimum of 90 days.
FURTHER READING: Alienating Behaviors – Domestic Violence Upon the Child
Courts Determine if Protective Separations Need to Be Extended Beyond 90 Days
Courts decide whether to lift or extend the protective separation beyond the initial 90 days. This decision is based upon whether the alienating parent has relinquished the child-abusive behaviors.
Courts schedule a review date some time before the 90 days ends in order to take testimony. The Court will lift the protective separation if and when the alienating parent demonstrates that all Court imposed stipulations have been addressed. Alienating parents therefore control whether or not the protective separation will be lifted.
Swithin IGNORES the fact that it is the Court ‘s decision to extend the protective separation. Swithin spreads the false narrative that TPFF indefinitely keeps children from a safe parent.
TPFF Utilizes Family Memorabilia & Child-Engaging Activities as Primary Reunification Techniques
TPFF is an experiential program whose primary techniques utilize family memorabilia and enjoyable and educational family activities.
These experiential techniques spontaneously and sensitively enable alienated parents, alienated children, and extended family to rekindle their prior loving, meaningful, and protective relationships.
Swithin IGNORES the fact that TPFF utilizes child-sensitive, research-validated techniques, yet Swithin spreads the false narrative that TPFF relies upon abusive brainwashing techniques.
FURTHER READING: Turning Points for Families – Healing for Parental Alienation
Turning Points for Families – The Way Forward
When alienated children and parents come to TPFF, it is the first time in several years that the alienated child is free from the alienating parent’s coercive control. This coercive control prevents alienated children from owning and expressing their true desire and need for their alienated parent.
The Court-ordered protective separation frees alienated children from the loyalty conflict that has been inflicted upon them by their alienating parent. The loyalty conflict requires alienated children to relinquish their relationship with their alienated parent as the price to pay to maintain their alienating parent’s love and approval.
Freedom from the loyalty conflict allows alienated children to once again be in touch with their true desire and need for their alienated parent. The desire and need were not extinguished by the alienation; the desire and need were only repressed.
TPFF reawakens alienated children’s instinctual desire and need for their alienated parent and jump-starts the healing process.
Conclusion
Tina Swithin’s slanderous lies about reunification programs exploit and harm alienated children and boosts her bottom line and her image.
Swithin’s callous disregard for the child’s best interest is extremely harmful. Carefully read her posts and watch her videos with a perceiving eye and an open mind. You will come to the same conclusions as discussed in this article.
