Introduction to the Special Issue on Working With High-Conflict Families in Custody Contexts: A Call to Action

Abstract

Families presenting for therapy after a divorce or separation who are in high-conflict present marriage and family therapists (MFTs) with some of the most complex and ethically challenging cases. Most co-parents settle disagreements amicably; however, 8–15% engage in conflict for years post-separation. Therapists must navigate overlapping clinical, legal, regulatory, and systemic domains—tasks for which most MFTs receive little training. This special issue of the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy addresses the urgent need for therapist competency and interdisciplinary collaboration with families in high conflict. Drawing on systemic and structural approaches, the featured articles examine factors that shape co-parenting quality, strategies for introducing new partners, reunification models, and the lived experiences of parents facing parent–child contact problems. Integrating research with practice-informed insights, this issue advocates for therapy with families in high-conflict as a clinical specialization and calls for advanced training, certification, and stronger collaboration among professionals.