Understanding Coercive Control, DARVO, and Risk in Family Court

Dr. Christine Cocchiola has been training judges under new judicial requirements to understand coercive control and its impact on family court decisions. This CLE gives attorneys the opportunity to align with these evolving judicial frameworks.

Understanding Coercive Control, DARVO, and Risk in Family Court

Date: April 22, 2026

Time: 1:00 PM Central (2:00 PM ET)

Format: Live Webinar ZOOM

CLE Credit: 1 Hour Ethics

ZOOM Registration Link: CLICK HERE

Program Summary

Coercive control is a pattern of abuse that is often missed or misunderstood in family court—particularly after separation, when it can escalate. As judicial training increasingly focuses on recognizing these patterns, this CLE provides attorneys with a clearer understanding of how these dynamics influence risk assessment, credibility, and custody outcomes.

In this CLE, Dr. Cocchiola will guide participants through what judges are being trained to see: coercive control, DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender), and post-separation abuse. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how these patterns impact both adult and child victims, and how they present in litigation.

Participants Will Learn To:

• Develop an understanding of coercive control and the tactics used by coercive controllers (abusers) to harm adult and child victims
• Clarify how coercive controllers utilize tactics through the judicial system, including post-separation abuse
• Build awareness of the trauma resulting from coercive-controlling dynamics, including how these patterns impact children and families
• Recognize how understanding these dynamics can help interrupt the intergenerational transmission of trauma

Christine M. Cocchiola, DSW, LCSW

Christine M. Cocchiola, DSW, LCSW, is a recognized expert on coercive control and its impact on adult and child victims. As a college professor of social work, she earned her Doctorate in Clinical Social Work from New York University, where she was mentored by Dr. Evan Stark, a leading authority on coercive control.

Dr. Cocchiola presents internationally on the dynamics of coercive control, educating professionals, advocates, and protective parents about children’s lived experiences and the most effective intervention strategies for victims of abuse. A social justice advocate since age 19, she developed The Protective Parenting Program, an evidence-based, attachment-focused therapeutic model designed for parents whose children have been harmed by abusive partners.

As both a survivor and protective parent, Dr. Cocchiola brings personal insight to her professional work. She is the author of the children’s book Every Moment of Every Day and co-author of FRAMED: Women in the Family Court Underworld. Her TEDx talk with over 1.4 M views, “It is ALL Coercive Control,” is available on YouTube.