Episode 18 of “Cases & Cocktails,” hosted by The Eggleston Law Firm, explores the lasting emotional and neurological impact of custody conflict on children.
In this powerful episode of Cases & Cocktails, family law attorneys Bryan and Janice Eggleston—founders of The Eggleston Law Firm in Austin, TX—are joined by Dr. Mary Alvarez, a licensed forensic psychologist who specializes in high-conflict custody and parental alienation cases.
With April marking Parental Alienation Awareness Month, this episode highlights the science behind adverse childhood experiences and how parental conflict can shape a child’s long-term mental health.
What Are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?
Dr. Alvarez introduces Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) as a clinical framework used to understand the impact of childhood trauma—including divorce and parental alienation—on a child’s development. She explains how The Eggleston Law Firm frequently encounters ACE-related trauma in child custody cases across Austin and Central Texas.
Even one ACE, such as a contentious divorce, can increase the risk of:
- Depression and anxiety
- Personality disorders
- Substance abuse
- Suicidal ideation
- Cognitive impairments
Dr. Alvarez emphasizes that high-conflict custody disputes dramatically increase a child’s ACE score, often leading to long-term neurological effects.
Parental Alienation and Its Psychological Toll
Divorce alone is difficult for children—but parental alienation adds a harmful emotional layer. According to Dr. Alvarez and The Eggleston Law Firm’s family law team, these alienating behaviors are among the most damaging:
- Undermining the child’s relationship with the other parent
- Withholding parenting time
- Manipulating the child to take sides
- Using children as emotional weapons or spies
These behaviors violate the natural need for a child to bond with both parents and can result in significant psychological trauma.
How Toxic Stress Alters a Child’s Brain
One of the most eye-opening takeaways from Episode 18 is the neurological science behind high-conflict custody. Dr. Alvarez explains how toxic stress caused by constant parental conflict affects a child’s brain:
- Their stress response system remains in overdrive
- Cortisol and adrenaline levels stay elevated
- Cognitive functions like memory, learning, and emotional control become impaired
At The Eggleston Law Firm, this science supports the firm’s approach to advocating for early, strategic intervention in custody disputes involving parental alienation.
Strategies to Reduce Conflict and Protect Children
Dr. Alvarez, a court-appointed parent facilitator in Central Texas, helps families like those served by The Eggleston Law Firm with strategies to minimize conflict:
- Co-Parenting & Parallel Parenting Plans – Set boundaries and reduce friction
- Parent Education – Teach parents how conflict harms their child’s brain and well-being
- Power Balance Techniques – Prevent one parent from dominating the custody dynamic
Favoring one parent—even unintentionally—can create long-term problems for the child, including entitlement issues and emotional withdrawal.
Why The Eggleston Law Firm Takes a Child-Focused Approach
The attorneys at The Eggleston Law Firm in Austin, TX prioritize the mental and emotional well-being of children in every high-conflict divorce or custody case. By collaborating with mental health professionals like Dr. Alvarez, they provide legal strategies that not only support their clients—but protect children from lasting harm.
Listen to the Episode
👉 Watch or listen to Episode 18 of Cases & Cocktails featuring Dr. Mary Alvarez.
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
🎙️ Brought to you by The Eggleston Law Firm – Trusted family law attorneys in Austin, TX.
Need Help with a High-Conflict Custody Case in Austin?
The Eggleston Law Firm provides trusted, experienced representation in child custody, parental alienation, and family law matters throughout Austin and Central Texas. If you’re facing an emotionally charged custody dispute, don’t navigate it alone.
📞 Call now or schedule a consultation today.
🔗 Contact Our Austin Custody Lawyers
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
ACEs are traumatic events such as divorce, abuse, or neglect that impact a child’s future health and behavior.
Toxic stress from parental conflict can change a child’s brain structure, impairing emotional control and memory.
Common behaviors include bad-mouthing the other parent, interfering with parenting time, and creating loyalty conflicts.
Work with a parenting facilitator and family law attorney—like those at The Eggleston Law Firm—to implement structured co-parenting plans and reduce emotional harm.
