This work is not easy. To do it well, we all need to reboot every so often. If you’re a graduate of our basic training, and it feels like a good time to renew and enhance your skills (but you can’t fit in another 40-hour session right now), consider joining us in an inspiring location for a 3-day Mediation Refresher.

In this 20-hour training, we will review the foundational concepts and skills covered in our Basic Training:

• Stages of Mediation
• Positive Neutrality – supporting all parties without taking sides
• The Loop of Understanding – enhancing understanding and empathy
• Creative Options — innovating to meet differing needs and interests
• A Foundation for the Future — building the groundwork for parties to make effective and lasting decisions together now and in the future

In our evening sessions, we will develop self-reflection practices that will transform how you work. Powerful emotional currents flow through us as professionals working with conflict. We can’t help sizing up our clients and carrying judgments, frustrations and gut feelings about them. But rather than suppressing our exasperation or disapproval, we can use difficult emotions to form deeper connections to the parties who come to us. And with these connections come new, more satisfying possibilities for resolving their conflicts.

“This was an excellent program from start to finish.  It is, admittedly quite dense, and I found myself exhausted at the end of each day.  But, it was a good exbaustion – a reflection of the learning, challenges, and reflection from each of the sessions.”  – Jonathan Westen

Who Will Benefit?

This training is ideal for anyone who has previously taken our 40-hour training, including mediators, lawyers, collaborative professionals, business consultants, executive coaches, managers and supervisors, human resources professionals, ombuds-people, non-profit staff, and everyone whose work calls for stronger skills in conflict resolution.

What is the Format?

This hands-on training features short briefings on the core skills of the Understanding Based Approach, followed by lively demonstrations and role-plays, all of which immerse participants in the learning. Realistic simulations, in which participants work through mediations from beginning to end, with coaching from our teachers, offer participants the chance to hone their skills and experience the emotional challenges faced by parties in dispute.

Who are the Trainers?  Catherine Conner and Gary Friedman. For more information, see their bios here.

The program felt like an elegant choreography – rhythm, flow, balance, energy, dynamic and intellectual challenge, deepened understanding at every level.  The thought and experience that have gone into developing this training has elevated the rewards to the highest caliber.  – Ellen Sanford, MFT

When Will the Training Take Place?

Friday, February 15:
Registration         10:30 — 11:00 am
Training                11:00 am – 9:00 pm, with breaks for lunch/dinner (8 hrs in session)

Saturday, February 16:
Training                9:00 am – 9:00 pm, with a long lunch break and a dinner break (8 hrs in session)

Sunday, February 17:
Training                9:00 am – 2:30 pm with a lunch break (4 ½ hrs in session)

Where Will We Be?

The training will be held at the Ralston White Retreat Center in Mill Valley, a magnificent residential retreat center on 43 acres of private Redwood forest. Guests of the Ralston White Retreat enjoy exclusive use of the 14,000 square foot mansion. The property includes several hiking trails leading to our pond and to expansive views of San Francisco and the Bay, Mt Tamalpais and surrounding ridges. Connecting trails lead to the top of the mountain. Guests can enjoy croquet on the lawn, ping-pong, volleyball, basketball and horseshoes. The location is a 20-minute drive from the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. The Center includes both private and shared rooms. Although commuting is an option, we highly encourage participants to stay at the Center.

How Much Will It Cost?

The program costs $750 plus a fee for the facility, lodging and meals as follows:

Private room: $450, for a total of $1,200
Shared double room: $400 for a total of $1,150
Commuter: $275, for a total of $1,025

A 5-10% discount is available for our CUC Connect members. Click here for more information.

Please contact catherineconner@understandinginconflict if you are unable to pay in full at the time of registration and would like to request special arrangements.
Please note our cancellation policy: If you cancel 2 weeks or more prior to the program, your deposit will be returned minus a $250.00 administration fee. Less than 2 weeks (but more than one week) prior to the program, we will retain 50% of the total cost of the program (half of which may be applied to against a future program). Please note that refunds will not be made for cancellations within the last week prior to the program unless there is a replacement for your seat.

“I found the program to be very educational and fascinating on a personal and professional level.  My personal values are in alignment with the method taught and I am excited to be leaving with practice skills to demonstrate these values.”  Jenna Blackmon

Is there Continuing Education Credit?

Mental Health: The Center for Understanding in Conflict is approved by the California Psychological Association to provide continuing professional education for psychologists. The Center for Understanding in Conflict maintains responsibility for this program and its content.  BBS licensees may also receive credit from The Center for Understanding in Conflict as a provider approved by the California Psychological Association.  This course qualifies for 20 CE credits.

Legal:  The Center for Understanding in Conflict is an accredited provider of California Continuing Legal Education.  The Working Creatively with Conflict Training —appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys — will qualify for 20 CA MCLE credit hours.

To register, scroll to the bottom of this page.

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