Abstract
High conflict divorce (HCD) is increasingly prevalent, profoundly impacting families, and placing a unique burden on mental health professionals. Despite the significant emotional, psychological, and legal challenges associated with HCD, many counselors report feeling unprepared to address these complex cases due to inadequate training during their graduate education. This study examines the extent to which CACREP-accredited counselor education programs in the United States incorporate HCD content into their curricula. A survey of program directors from Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs revealed that while topics related to family dynamics and conflict resolution are commonly addressed, HCD-specific training is less frequently covered. Key areas, such as litigation and courts and parental alienation and the reunification processes, are often neglected, limiting graduates’ ability to navigate the intricacies of HCD effectively. The findings suggest a need for specialized coursework and expanded training to better prepare counselors for the growing demand in this area. Addressing these gaps could enhance both counselor competency and the well-being of families navigating HCDs.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.