When children are caught in loyalty binds, subtle emotional pressure, or blurred relational roles, traditional tools may not capture the full picture, especially in high-conflict custody cases. SAPE is a structured, research-based method developed to support social workers in identifying and documenting emotional risk factors that are often overlooked. It does not diagnose or assign blame. Instead, it offers a practical framework for clarifying complex family dynamics, always with the child’s developmental needs at the center. SAPE is simple to implement, compatible with existing procedures, and grounded in established research from child psychology, attachment theory, and family systems practice.