Forgiveness can be a powerful force for restoring harmony and wholeness. A harmed person can find their freedom in practicing forgiveness. It can also empower them to move toward an amicable solution and allow the rebuilding of a fractured relationship. An apology is a fragile beginning without accountability or a plan that acknowledges a release […]

In this interactive webinar, Gary Friedman and Kim Gordon will discuss the value and benefits of starting a peer group for mediators and ADR practitioners. Drawing from decades of experience in conflict resolution and mediation, centered on the understanding-based model, Friedman and Gordon will share their process for forming peer groups and their foundational importance […]

Power imbalances can skew the entire conflict resolution process in innumerable ways. During the Power Imbalance webinar series, we’ve looked closely at three different kinds of power imbalances: interpersonal styles, access to resources, and relationship to social and cultural privilege. This session will allow participants to join a conversation building on the insights gained from […]

As we approach the end of the year, we invite you to a town hall webinar experience to collectively explore personal and professional interests, address common concerns, and ignite a passion for applying understanding-based practices. There is no cost to attend this event, although we do ask that you register.  Join Catherine Conner and Gary […]

As you work with all parties in the room, these foundational concepts underlie a different approach to conflict and our conflict resolution model. The six underlying concepts of the understanding-based approach are simple to grasp but challenging to implement when approaching diverse conflict scenarios. People and personalities in the room and within the mediator provide […]

A fundamental premise of effective understanding-based mediation is the necessity of motivation. Since mediation is a voluntary process, its success hinges on the willingness and drive of both parties to participate. In most mediation situations, the parties involved typically have a variety of motivations for wanting to mediate. These motivations can range from wanting to […]

Join Antoinette Delruelle and Michelle Minovi on September 19, 2024 to learn about the nuances of small claims court mediation using the understanding-based approach. This session will cover essential best practices and address common challenges, including managing tight time constraints, fostering meaningful interactions between mediators and clients, and handling pressures from the court to reach […]

Struggling to explain what you do as a mediator in a way that sparks interest and understanding? Join Melanie Rowen and Caitlin Meredith for How to Tell People You're a Mediator, where you'll learn how to use storytelling to educate potential clients - and your broader community - about the value of mediation. Together, we'll explore […]

Join Michelle Exline Minovi and Gary Friedman for Part 2 of Working with Lawyers in the Room.  In Part 1 we discussed how to establish agreements and expectations for lawyers’ participation that honor both legal advocacy and collaborative problem solving.  In Part 2, we will explore how to actively engage the lawyers, parties and mediator […]