Families are complex and comprised of multiple interactive relationships. In the nuclear family, there is the marital relationship, the parent-child relationship, as well as the sibling-sibling relationship.  Marital conflict, child conflict, and parent-child conflict can erode the family’s ability to function in a healthy way.  Overtime, when there is too much conflict within the family, there is a breakdown in family relationships and a breakdown in the overall family functioning.  Family members often feel unheard, angry, helpless, and betrayed.

When a separation or divorce proceeding begins, and the family courts become involved, parental stress increases even more.  And when there is conflict and disagreement concerning the custody of the children, both parents and children experience even more stress and duress, which increases family dysfunction.  Parent-child relationships can suffer, but Dr. Alvarez is experienced in understanding the consequences that divorce and post-divorce legal conflict have within the family and how parent-child relationships can be affected.  Dr. Alvarez is adept at tackling problematic family relationship dynamics and the challenges and changes that happen to parents and children during or after a divorce, especially in families in which a child resists a relationship with a parent.