The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episode 192

Protective Parenting

Episode 192: Protective Parenting with Dr. Christine Cocchiola

with Dr. Christine Cocchiola

About This Episode

Dr. Christine Cocchiola returns to the show to talk about coercive control and its impact on children. Dr. Cocchiola’s goal, and the goal of this episode, is to help you create a more secure environment for your child.  Divorcing an abuser is hard, but while you are going through this really tumultuous time, you can still show your children a path to freedom. Yes, it’s hard work. Perhaps it’s the hardest work you will ever do, but you can reignite the attachment you have always had with your child and be their saving grace too.

Dr. Christine Marie Cocchiola, DSW, LCSW is a Coercive Control Advocate, Educator, Researcher & Survivor.  She is a full-time college professor teaching social work for the last 20 years in CT and also an adjunct instructor at NYU. Her expertise is in the areas of coercive control and the traumatic experiences of both adult and child victims, developing and presenting workshops on these topics both nationally and internationally.

Learn more about Dr. Christine Cocchiola:

Dr. Christine Marie Cocchiola, DSW, LCSW is a Coercive Control Advocate, Educator, Researcher & Survivor.  She is a full-time college professor teaching social work for the last 20 years in CT and also an adjunct instructor at NYU. Her expertise is in the areas of coercive control and the traumatic experiences of both adult and child victims, developing and presenting workshops on these topics both nationally and internationally.  Christine, a Board Member of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, has supported policy codifying coercive control and has a small private practice, primarily serving victims and survivors of coercive control.  She is the creator of the Protective Parenting Program, supporting protective mothers on their journey toward healing their children.

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

  • Coercive control is a pattern of behavior and it can be covert or overt. It is when one person wants to retain power and control over another (4:55)
  • Coercive control is the foundation of most domestic abuse (5:17)
  • If your spouse is abusing you, your child is a victim of abuse too. Children learn how to regulate their behavior to appease an abusive parent. (11:50)
  • You have to be actively working to create a strong foundation so your child clearly knows you are the calm and safe parent (27:21)
  • Abuse is a choice, and there is no excuse for it (41:26)
  • Dr. Cocchiola answers, “Do coercive controllers have the ability to love their children?” (43:44)

Disclaimer

The commentary and opinions available on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal or psychological advice. You should contact an attorney, coach, or therapist in your state to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem.

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