Advanced Practices for Challenging Conflicts: 24-hour Training

October 06 – 09, 2026

12:00 PM Tuesday – 12:00 PM Friday, Eastern

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Learn to Navigate the Depths of Conflict Resolution

Join us for an intensive 3-day advanced training designed for mediators and conflict resolution professionals ready to deepen their practice in the most challenging situations. This immersive program explores the complexities that may arise when cases involve high conflict, unexpected revelations, substance use concerns, mental health challenges, the presence of attorneys or other allies, or other complicating factors.

Drawing on the innovative concepts and skills from the Center for Understanding in Conflict, we’ll explore both the external dynamics unfolding in the room and the internal landscape of the practitioner. Through interactive vignettes, coaching on real cases, and self-reflective practices, participants will develop greater capacity to stay grounded, curious, and effective when the stakes are high and the path forward is unclear.

What to Expect

• Mini demos and role-plays exploring common challenging scenarios
• Frameworks for working in challenging cases
• Skills for navigating erupting dynamics
• Self-reflective practices to enhance practitioner awareness and resilience
• Consultation on participants’ own challenging cases

Bring your questions and challenges, your difficult cases, and your willingness to explore the edges of your practice.

Dates

October 06 – 09, 2026

12:00 PM Tuesday – 12:00 PM Friday

Venue

The Highlights Foundation Retreat Center is located in Northeastern Pennsylvania, on the traditional lands of the Lenape Nation. The property is tucked in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains, situated a couple of hours away from both NYC and Philadelphia.  It is rich in family and Highlights history, and it’s a wonderful place that feeds the mind, body, and creative souls of those who visit.

Highlights Foundation Retreat Center, 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA 18443, (570) 253-1192

The Highlights Foundation still calls the Barn & Retreat Center at Boyds Mills home, but has expanded use of the grounds in order to support the organization’s goals. 

Cost

The program training fee is $1200 plus a fee for the facility, lodging, and meals as follows. Note that all rooms contain a private bathroom.

• Private room: $795 for a total of $1,995.
• Shared room with two beds: $595 for a total of $1,795.
• Commuter for those not staying at Highlights:  $295, for a total of $1,495.

*Financial support may be available for training fees.  Please contact us at [email protected] for details or for any questions regarding logistics.

Who Are the Trainers?

Antoinette Delruelle has been mediating at the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), a free legal services organization in NYC, for the past thirteen years. She was representing survivors of domestic violence for eighteen years before that. She co-teaches with Michelle Exline Minovi at the Brooklyn Law School Mediation Clinic and she has taught mediation to NYS court personnel and legal services attorneys. Antoinette was president of the Family and Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York. She is a member of the statewide ADR Advisory Committee that gives NYS Courts Chief Judge Rowan D. Wilson recommendations on how to increase the use of ADR in the NYS court system.

Katherine Eisold Miller is an attorney practicing mediation and collaborative practice. She has been practicing family law since 1987, first as a litigator and now exclusively outside the court system. She has taught mediation to the NYS matrimonial judges and court personnel, the Ackerman Institute for the Family,  the White Institute and NYU as well as with the Center and lectures regularly on mediation and collaborative practice. She is the author of The Emotionally Savvy Divorce and The New Yorker’s Guide to Collaborative Divorce and a past president of the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals.

Michelle Exline Minovi is a family law attorney and mediator with 14+ years family law experience.  Michelle teaches with the Center and co-teaches, with Antoinette Delreulle, at the Brooklyn Law School Mediation Clinic where she mediates small claims cases. She has a mediation practice in Brooklyn, NY with a sliding scale fee structure. She is on the board of the Family and Divorce Mediation Council of greater NY. She is an active member of the statewide ADR Advisory Subcommittee developing a suggested Universal Consent form for NY state.

*Please note that trainers are subject to availability and may change prior to program start without notice.

Continuing Education Credit

Attending this training will provide attorneys with 24 NY CLE credit hours (13 Professional Practice credits, 1 Ethics,  and 10 Skills credits).  For continuing legal education purposes, this training is appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys.

Cancellation Policy

Please note our cancellation policy: If you cancel 4 weeks or more prior to the program, we return your deposit minus a $250.00 administration fee. Between 4 and 2 weeks prior to the program, we retain 50% of the total cost of the program unless we are able to find a replacement for your seat, in which case we will refund the fee minus the $250.00 administration fee. There are no refunds for cancellations less than two weeks prior to the program unless we can find a replacement.

For additional information, please email us at [email protected] or call us at (844) 242-3428.

Photo and Video Notice

We’re excited to have you at our training event! Please note that we may be taking photos and videos to capture the wonderful moments and share them in our promotional materials, including social media, websites, and brochures. If you prefer not to be photographed or recorded, just let one of our friendly organizers or trainers know. We’ll be happy to respect your wishes and ensure your privacy.

PLEASE NOTE THAT REGISTRATIONS RECEIVED LESS THAN 72 HOURS PRIOR TO PROGRAM START WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE TRAINING TEAM DUE TO DEMANDS OF PREPARATION TIME AND ROLE PLAY ASSIGNMENTS.

For additional information, please email us at [email protected].

*Please note that trainers are subject to availability and may change prior to program start without notice.

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