A “dark art” typically refers to a skill or practice that is secretive, manipulative, and often unethical—used to achieve a hidden or harmful agenda. Parental alienation fits this definition all too well. It is a calculated, determined, often vengeful process of coercive control, where one parent systematically turns a child against the other through psychological tactics such as outright lies and false narratives, to create a negative perception of the targeted parent.
It isn’t just about badmouthing the targeted parent. It’s about controlling what the child sees, hears, and believes. It’s about triangulation—restricting, monitoring and totally cutting off communication, distorting memories, and ensuring the child feels guilt or fear at the mere thought of loving the alienated parent. The child becomes trapped in a world where rejecting one parent feels like the only way to survive.
This level of manipulation doesn’t come from nowhere—it stems from dark personalities. Those who engage in parental alienation often exhibit traits associated with narcissistic, antisocial, or psychopathic tendencies. They lack empathy, thrive on control, and are skilled at deception. To them, the child isn’t a person with independent needs and emotions but a tool, a weapon to be wielded against the other parent. They rewrite reality, gaslight anyone who questions them, and use charm or intimidation to ensure their narrative prevails.
But the alienator’s influence doesn’t stop there. Like any master of manipulation, they extend their reach beyond the child—pulling professionals, family courts and even other family members into their illusion. Teachers, therapists, and legal authorities who should be protecting the child often become unwitting allies in the deception, reinforcing the alienation rather than challenging it. This is the true dark magic at play: turning enablers into weapons, leaving the real victims—alienated children and their targeted parents—isolated, disbelieved, and struggling against an invisible force few truly understand.
When I went through this myself, I felt utterly alone. There was little awareness, even less support. No, let’s make that zero support in my experience. That’s why, I’ve dedicated myself to helping hundreds of alienated parents navigate this traumatic situation. The fact that my work as a parental alienation coach is still so needed shows how far we have to go. Please do reach out if you’re interested in my 9-step program or 1:2:1 coaching. More and more alienated children are coming forward too, which I take to be a positive sign. Their bravery is helping validate this form of abuse.
#charliemccready
GreatCosmicMothersUnite 