In this episode of Perfect Prey, Dr. Christine is joined by Kitty Mayo, child advocate and founder of Georgia Protective Parents, for an important conversation about reunification camps, family court, coercive control, and the experiences of protective parents.
Kitty shares her family’s experience with the family court system and how her children were ordered into a reunification program following allegations of abuse. She describes what happened during that process and why she believes these programs can be deeply harmful to children and families.
Kitty also discusses her advocacy work with Georgia Protective Parents, a nonprofit focused on child safety and legislation affecting children and protective parents. The organization works across political lines and advocates for legislation it believes protects children.
Together, Dr. Christine and Kitty explore what reunification programs can look like in practice, the importance of attachment, the use of isolation and coercion, and the lack of transparency and regulation that Kitty says exists within some of these programs.
What We Cover
• Kitty’s family court experience
• Reunification camps and “repair” therapy
• The impact of separation on children and attachment
• Allegations of abuse and retaliation
• Isolation, intimidation, and coercion
• The experiences of protective parents
• The lack of transparency and regulation surrounding some programs
• The financial costs associated with reunification programs
• Ethan’s Law and efforts to strengthen protections for children
• Grassroots advocacy and contacting legislators
• The importance of speaking up and creating systemic change
Why This Conversation Matters
For protective parents and survivors navigating family court, understanding how reunification programs operate and how children experience these interventions can be incredibly important.
Kitty’s story also highlights how advocacy can move beyond individual cases. Through Georgia Protective Parents, she is working with other advocates to raise awareness, support child-safety legislation, and encourage protective parents to use their voices.
As Dr. Christine and Kitty discuss throughout the episode, advocacy does not always mean being publicly visible. Sometimes it can be as simple as writing an email, contacting a representative, or sharing your story.
About Kitty Mayo
Kitty Mayo is a child advocate and founder of Georgia Protective Parents, a nonprofit organization advocating for legislation and policies focused on child safety. The organization works with both mothers and fathers and describes itself as bipartisan, with a focus on supporting legislation based on its impact on children rather than political party.
Connect with Georgia Protective Parents
Georgia Protective Parents:
Instagram & Facebook: Search Georgia Protective Parents
Connect with Dr. Christine Cocchiola
Protective Parenting Program:
Protective Parenting Program
Website:
Coercive Control Consulting
YouTube:
Dr. Christine Cocchiola on YouTube
TikTok:
Dr. Christine Cocchiola on TikTok
Instagram:
Dr. Christine Cocchiola on Instagram
TEDx:
Dr. Christine Cocchiola’s TEDx Talk
Books:
FRAMED: Women in the Family Court Underworld
Every Moment of Every Day
If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear this conversation.
— Dr. Christine Cocchiola & Kitty Mayo 🩵
