High-Conflict Personalities, Coercive Control & Family Court with Esther Rosenfeld

<p></p><p>What happens when family court becomes another arena for ongoing conflict and abuse? And how can survivors distinguish coercive control from what the legal system may label as high-conflict behavior?</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of <em>Perfect Prey</em>, Dr. Christine Cocchiola is joined by <strong>Esther Rosenfeld, family law attorney, divorce coach, and author of </strong><em><strong>Transformative Divorce: From Broken to Blessed</strong></em><strong>.</strong> Drawing on nearly 20 years of family law experience, Esther shares insights from her research into high-conflict personalities and the challenges they create within family court.</p><p><br></p><p>Together, they explore how litigation can fuel ongoing conflict, how financial resources and power can influence legal battles, and why survivors&#39; trauma responses may be misunderstood. They also discuss the impact of custody disputes on children, the importance of secure attachment, and why stepping away from the fight can sometimes be a path toward greater peace.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>What We Cover</strong></p><ul><li><p>High-conflict personalities and family court dynamics</p></li><li><p>How coercive control can be mistaken for mutual conflict</p></li><li><p>The role of money, power, and prolonged litigation</p></li><li><p>Why trauma responses may be misunderstood by legal professionals</p></li><li><p>Manipulation, entitlement, and harmful personality traits</p></li><li><p>Custody disputes and the importance of protecting children&#39;s attachment</p></li><li><p>Knowing when to step away from litigation</p></li></ul><li><ul><li>Radical self-care, healing, and life beyond divorce</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Why This Conversation Matters</strong></p></li><p>For survivors, protective parents, attorneys, clinicians, and advocates, understanding the dynamics of coercive control is essential. This conversation explores how abuse can be overlooked when harmful behavior is framed as ordinary conflict, and why children&#39;s well-being must remain central to difficult family court decisions.</p><p><br></p><p>Dr. Christine and Esther also reflect on the emotional exhaustion of prolonged legal battles and the possibility of finding peace, personal growth, and transformation beyond the courtroom.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>About Esther Rosenfeld</strong></p><p>Esther Rosenfeld, is a family law attorney experienced in divorce, child custody, timeshare, relocation, property settlement, and supp