The Center for Understanding in Conflict

Beyond the Argument: Three Levels to Unlock Real Resolution (CA CLE Eligible)
2026-05-12 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Most conflicts get stuck at the surface — two sides, two positions, and a standoff. But beneath every dispute lies something deeper: the needs, values, and meaning that actually drive people’s behavior. In this webinar, you’ll learn a powerful three-level framework — positions, interests, and meaning — that conflict professionals use to move parties from entrenched “what” arguments to the deeper “why” that makes genuine resolution possible.
Through a short presentation and live role-play demonstration with Catherine Conner and Michelle Exline Minovi, you’ll see how to gently guide someone down the “why trail” and experience firsthand how that shift opens up options that compromise alone never could. Whether you’re a mediator, HR professional, manager, or anyone who navigates difficult conversations, this session will expand both your understanding and your toolkit.
The Center for Understanding in Conflict is an accredited provider of California Continuing Legal Education by the State Bar of California. This webinar– appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys – will qualify for 1 MCLE credit hour.

Ask Gary: An Open Conversation About Understanding-Based Conflict Resolution
2026-04-23 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Ask Gary is an opportunity to bring your most thoughtful, difficult, or unexpected questions about conflict resolution to Gary J. Friedman. Join us on April 23 at 12:00 p.m. PDT for a facilitated conversation where no question is out of bounds. You are welcome to bring your questions to the session or send them in advance.
To support a conversation that is both open and productive, we will use a light structure drawn from the Center’s understanding-based approach, including contracting, looping, and agreements. This framework helps create a dialogue that is focused, respectful, and inclusive, while leaving room for genuine inquiry and exchange.
Gary is co-founder of the Center for Understanding in Conflict and a pioneering figure in the mediation field, with decades of experience helping people work through conflict with greater understanding, clarity, and responsibility.

Series - Navigating Difficult Conversations
2026-04-15 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Conflict is part of life – but navigating it well requires more than instinct. This two-part online course gives you practical skills and a supportive structure to face conflict with intention, clarity, and empathy. You’ll learn how to prepare for, invite, and engage in challenging conversations that build understanding, even when stakes are high. This course is focused on conversations in which you are one of the parties in conflict although the concepts and tools are applicable to all conflict-laden conversations.
Course Overview
Through short lectures, guided reflections, group dialogue, and real-life role play, you’ll gain practical tools and insights to approach conflict differently. You’ll also explore your own reactions to conflict, work with allies, and practice core communication techniques like looping and checking for understanding.
The course is grounded in the Understanding-Based approach and structured around three essential areas:

Preparing Yourself: Clarify your motivations and what’s at stake for you. Understand when a conversation may – or may not – be productive.
Inviting and Structuring the Conversation: Learn how to invite others into a dialogue in a way that increases the chances of connection. Set clear agreements to create a safe and intentional space.
Engaging in the Conversation: Practice staying grounded and responsive, even in the heat of conflict. Explore how to listen deeply, express your own truth, and work toward outcomes that reflect what matters most to all involved.

Who Should Attend
This course is designed for anyone who wants to handle conflict more constructively – in personal, professional, or community settings. Whether you’re navigating a challenging work relationship, looking for a way to shift communication patterns in a community group or family or simply wanting to show up differently in difficult conversations, this training offers insight and practical tools to help you do so with more confidence and clarity.
What You’ll Gain

A clear process for approaching difficult conversations
Insight into your own patterns and motivations in conflict
Practical experience inviting and engaging others in dialogue
Tools to foster mutual understanding and make meaningful progress

Pre-Course Reflection
You’ll be asked to bring a real-life situation involving one of their own conflicts to explore during the course.
Program Schedule

Dates: April 15 and 29, 2026
Time: 12 – 2 PM PT / 3 – 5:00 PM ET
Format: Online via Zoom
Cost: $250 for the full series

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations within 30 days will incur a $100 admin fee. Within 2 weeks, 50% of the fee will be retained (half applicable to a future course). No refunds within 1 week of the course start unless a replacement participant is found. No refunds after the series begins.
Please note: Trainer availability may change without notice.
Trainers
Armine Baltazar is a mediator and a collaborative attorney in Los Angeles. After over 20 years of practicing in the litigation arena, Armine finds it deeply fulfilling to help couples find a non-litigated way through divorce. She co-founded HEALTHY Divorce, a Los Angeles Superior Court pilot project that links lower-income divorcing couples with support services such as legal, parenting, mental health, and housing. She is also a member of CUC’s Programs Committee and is the Chair of Virtual Divorce California’s Diversity Committee.
Sethu Laxmi Nair is a mediator, facilitator, coach, and trainer in the fields of alternative dispute resolution and restorative practices. Currently, she serves as the Director of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Restorative Practices at the Center for Creative Conflict Resolution, an innovative public service group that offers a blend of conflict resolution, training, and systems design options within and across the New York City government. Through her private practice, Sethu consults with nonprofit organizations and businesses, offering a unique blend of leadership coaching, mediation, and group conflict management.

5 Things I Did to Build My Practice and 5 Things I Wish I Had Done
2026-03-30 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Solopreneurs building an Understanding-Based conflict resolution practice need more than just skill in supporting clients – it takes strategy, patience, and a willingness to try, fail, and repeat! Join Caitlin Meredith and Melanie Rowen, two experienced Understanding-Based practitioners who are also professional/business development coaches, for an honest, practical conversation about what it takes to build a business from the ground up or transition from another kind of practice.
What We’ll Cover

The early moves that made the biggest difference – and why
Common mistakes and what we’d do differently today
Finding your niche and articulating your value to clients
Building referral networks and establishing credibility
The business fundamentals mediators often overlook
Staying motivated through the slow-build phase

Participants will have space to share their own experiences, ask questions, and learn from each other.

Trainers

Melanie Rowen is a mediator and conflict coach who believes in the power of understanding-based conflict resolution to transform our world. She frequently trains individuals and groups on conflict resolution skills with the Center for Understanding in Conflict and in other settings.
Melanie has worked in professional development for many years, including previously as the Associate Director for Public Interest & Public Sector Programs at Berkeley Law and in attorney development at Latham & Watkins LLP. In her law practice career, Melanie litigated civil rights cases, including marriage equality, employment discrimination, issues involving transgender and gender non-conforming youth and their families and issues facing LGBTQI elders, at the National Center for LGBTQ Rights. Melanie’s mediation, coaching and training practice focuses on improving dynamics where ongoing relationships are essential, including workplace teams, family and community organizational settings.

Caitlin Meredith, MPH, MA, is a mediator, coach and conflict skills trainer who works with individuals, organizations and families navigating transitions and conflict. Her curiosity about conflict led to 13 years with Doctors Without Borders in war zones in sub-Saharan Africa, and then to consulting in the criminal justice system.

After working in the aftermath of big conflicts, she decided to learn more about preventing and working through disagreements through courageous conversations. This curiosity led her to the Center for Understanding in Conflict. In addition to her private practice, Caitlin volunteers her time as a mediator for community and court-based mediation programs in Colorado and California. She also teaches Core Mediation and Negotiation classes at the Monterey College of Law and co-hosts a podcast about women’s financial literacy. In all of her endeavors, Caitlin finds honest, clear and vulnerable communication to be the key ingredient for creating meaningful connections in our lives. Also, humor.

40-Hour Mediation and Conflict Resolution Skills Training (West Coast)
2026-03-04 - 2026-03-08 | Green Gulch Farm, 1601 Shoreline Highway, Muir Beach, CA, 94965, United States
March 4 – 8, 2026 | Green Gulch Farm, Muir Beach, CA
To register, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Are you the person others turn to when they are in conflict?
Whether you mediate disputes professionally or want to improve how you support meaningful conversations – in families, workplaces, or communities – this immersive, in-person training will provide you with the essential skills, structure, and confidence to navigate conflict with greater clarity and connection.
What You’ll Learn
Grounded in the Understanding-Based model from Challenging Conflict, this training focuses on:

Positive Neutrality – supporting all parties without taking sides
The Loop of Understanding – building empathy and connection through active listening
Creative Options – crafting solutions that meet deeper needs and interests
A Foundation for the Future – enabling lasting, self-determined agreements

Who Should Attend?
This training is designed for anyone whose personal or professional life involves guiding others through conflict, whether formally or informally. Our participants consistently report that this program reshapes not only how they approach conflict, but how they understand communication, decision-making, and relationship dynamics. Here’s how this training applies to different professional roles:

Mediators and Conflict Resolution Professionals: Whether you are newly exploring mediation or seeking to deepen your practice, this training offers a hands-on approach that moves beyond traditional tools and techniques. You will learn how to facilitate conversations where parties truly understand each other – often for the first time – and co-create durable, meaningful resolutions.
Lawyers, Collaborative Professionals, and Ombuds: For legal professionals, , this model shifts the focus from advocacy and positioning to understanding and informed choice. You will learn how to support clients in engaging constructively with conflict while still addressing legal realities – without relying on control, pressure, or adversarial dynamics.
Human Resources Leaders, Managers, and Nonprofit Staff: If you are responsible for managing people, teams, or organizational culture, this training provides a vital toolkit for navigating interpersonal tension, staff grievances, and sensitive conversations. The Understanding-Based model helps you foster clarity, empathy, and accountability – leading to more resilient teams and healthier workplace dynamics.
Executive Coaches, Consultants, and Educators: When your work centers on growth, transformation, and leadership, conflict is often just beneath the surface. This training equips you with a new lens and skill set for working with clients or groups who are stuck in disagreement, misalignment, or tension. You will be better prepared to support breakthroughs – whether in strategic planning, coaching conversations, or facilitation work.
Anyone Seeking a More Meaningful Way to Work with Conflict!

You do not need to be a professional mediator to benefit from this training. If you are the person people come to when there is tension – in your family, workplace, or community – or if you want to better understand and navigate conflict in your own life, this training offers a practical, compassionate framework that will change how you listen, speak, and relate to others.
Program Format
This in-person training features a mix of short presentations, live demonstrations, and small group role plays in full-length practice mediations. You’ll have the chance to practice in a safe, supportive environment with real-time feedback and coaching from experienced trainers.
Schedule Overview

Wednesday, Mar 4: Check-in is 1:45 – 2:15 pm; training begins 2:30 pm and runs until 9:00 pm
Thursday – Friday, Mar 5 – 6: Full-day sessions, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm (with ample breaks)
Saturday, Mar 7: 9:00 am-6:00 pm
Sunday, Mar 8: 9:00 am-12:15 pm

Note: Lodging check-in may not be available until 3:00pm Wednesday.
Venue
Green Gulch Farm Zen Center in Muir Beach, CA, is a tranquil retreat space nestled among coastal hills. Accommodations are simple and beautiful, with Japanese-inspired guest rooms and shared bathrooms. Three nourishing vegetarian meals per day are provided, along with snacks, coffee, and tea. WIFI is available, but cell service is limited.
Participants must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 at least two weeks prior to the program.

About the Center for Understanding in Conflict and Our Model
The Center for Understanding in Conflict (CUC) was founded over four decades ago by Gary Friedman and Jack Himmelstein, who pioneered a radical approach to mediation and conflict resolution. Drawing from their experiences as lawyers, educators, and people impacted by conflict themselves, they developed what is now known as the Understanding-Based model.
This approach challenges the traditional win-lose, adversarial frameworks that dominate many legal and organizational systems. Instead of seeing conflict as something to suppress, manage, or solve through external authority, the Understanding-Based model embraces it as an opportunity for deeper human connection which supports the impulse to work together towards mutually beneficial solutions. .
At its heart, the model is grounded in four core principles:

Understanding – cultivating deep awareness of oneself, others, and the conflict itself
Responsibility – inviting parties to take ownership of the process and outcome
Working Together – choosing dialogue and direct engagement over separation or shuttle diplomacy
Going Under the Conflict – exploring what lies beneath positions to get to meaning, emotion, and deeper needs

Since the 1980s, thousands of professionals – including mediators, lawyers, coaches, therapists, managers, and community leaders – have trained with the Center. Many have incorporated the Understanding-Based model into their lives and work, transforming not just how they navigate conflict, but how they relate to others and themselves.
This training is a continuation of that legacy. It’s more than just a skills workshop – it’s an invitation to participate in a movement that honors empathy, autonomy, and connection at the center of conflict resolution.

Trainers
Catherine Conner has been a mediation and collaborative practice trainer since 2004. She is a frequent presenter at collaborative conferences and family law workshops. She authored Collaborative Practice Materials with Steven Neustadter and Margaret Anderson. Catherine Conner’s private practice focuses on family law alternate dispute resolution, including mediation, collaborative practice, and private judging. She graduated from the UC Berkeley School of Law in 1982 and is a founding partner of Conner, Lawrence, Rodney, Olhiser & Barrett, LLP. In 1992, Catherine became a Certified Family Law Specialist. She has been honored as the recipient of the Rex Sater Award for Excellence in Family Law, the Eureka award by Collaborative Practice California and was the 2018 honoree for Careers of Distinction. She was on the Board of Directors of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals from 2007-2014 and served as the President in 2013.

Hansa Patel is an attorney, mediator, and teacher. As an attorney, Hansa zealously advocated for abused and neglected children or defended their parents’ rights in the San Francisco juvenile dependency court for fourteen years. Hansa is passionate about serving the underprivileged community. Feeling depleted by the court system, Hansa explored new ways to empower her clients to resolve conflict. Mediation empowers Hansa’s clients to choose how they want to engage with conflict, co-create resolutions, and even transform a relationship. In the USA, Canada, and Africa, Hansa teaches mediation, including integrating mindfulness skills into conflict resolution. Hansa wants her clients to have the same tools she cultivates in her children: a mindful approach to resolving challenges in life.
Armine Baltazar is a mediator and a collaborative attorney in Los Angeles. After over 20 years of practicing in the litigation arena, Armine finds it deeply fulfilling to help couples find a non-litigated way through divorce. She co-founded HEALTHY Divorce, a Los Angeles Superior Court pilot project that links lower-income divorcing couples with support services such as legal, parenting, mental health, and housing. She is also a member of CUC’s Programs Committee and is the Chair of Virtual Divorce California’s Diversity Committee.
Armine teaches mediation at Monterey College of Law and has been a guest lecturer at Loyola Law School and Santa Monica City College. She has been a school board member of a private, pre-K through 12th grade Armenian heritage awareness school in Hollywood for over ten years. She graduated from UCLA’s School of Law in 1997 and is a member of various mediation and collaborative organizations and study groups. She has appeared on CBS News and on radio for her legal opinion and has twice been a guest speaker on the podcast, “The Amicable Divorce Expert.”

Costs
The program training fee is $1,485 plus a fee for the facility, lodging, and meals as follows:

Private room at Green Gulch: $825, for a total of $2,310
Shared double room at Green Gulch: $675, for a total of $2,160
Commuter for those not staying at Green Gulch: $325, for a total of $1,810

Please note that the bathrooms are shared at Green Gulch. You can find more details about accommodation at Green Gulch by clicking here.
A deposit of $500.00 is necessary to secure registration.
COVID-19 Protocols
Green Gulch requires:

A negative rapid antigen test within 24 hours of arrival
A second rapid test upon arrival (bring your own)
Masks are optional

Protocols may change; participants will be notified of updates.
Cancellation Policy

Cancel 4 or more weeks before: Refund minus $250 fee
Cancel 2 – 4 weeks before: 50% refund unless your spot is filled
Less than 2 weeks: No refund unless we find a replacement

Continuing Legal Education
California
The Center for Understanding in Conflict is an accredited provider of California Continuing Legal Education by the State Bar of California. The Working Creatively with Conflict Training – appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys – will qualify for 32 participatory and 8 self-study CA MCLE credit hours.
New York
In New York, The Mediation Intensive Training will fulfill 40 NY CLE credit hours (6.5 Ethics credits; 19.5 Professional Practice credits; and 14 Skills credits). For continuing legal education purposes, the Mediation Intensive Training is appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys.
Photo and Video Notice
Photos or videos may be taken for promotional use. If you prefer not to appear in any media, just let us know – we will fully honor your request.
Additional Notes
Registrations received fewer than 72 hours before the program will be accepted at the discretion of the training team due to role-play and logistics needs.
For questions, contact us at admin@understandinginconflict.org

**Please select desired ticket and quantity using the +/- feature before clicking ‘Get Tickets.’

Deepening Connection in Conflict Work: Noticing and Unpacking Implicit Bias (CA CLE Eligible)
2026-02-26 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
In conflict work, our intention is to foster understanding and build connections to the parties we are trying to support. Yet implicit biases–influenced by culture, life experiences, identity, and systems of power — can quietly shape how we listen, understand, and support people in conflict.
As conflict professionals we are in positions of power, and with power comes great responsibility. Within our work, the parties rely on us to support them during some of the most vulnerable and challenging moments of their lives. By examining how bias shows up in our practice, we can reduce harm and create the psychological safety necessary for mutual trust, understanding, and deepening authentic connections.
Through reflective and experiential exercises, we will explore how microaggressions and implicit bias emerge within our conflict work. We will examine the messages we have internalized, consider how they have shaped us and offer concrete strategies for addressing bias when it arises.
Facilitators
Hansa Patel is an attorney, mediator, and teacher. As an attorney, Hansa zealously advocated for abused and neglected children or defended their parents’ rights in the San Francisco juvenile dependency court for fourteen years. Hansa is passionate about serving the underprivileged community. Feeling depleted by the court system, Hansa explored new ways to empower her clients to resolve conflict. Mediation empowers Hansa’s clients to choose how they want to engage with conflict, co-create resolutions, and even transform a relationship. In the USA, Canada, and Africa, Hansa teaches mediation, including integrating mindfulness skills into conflict resolution. Hansa wants her clients to have the same tools she cultivates in her children: a mindful approach to resolving challenges in life.
Marta Elena Esquilin is a social justice educator, higher education administrator, conflict professional, and organizational consultant. Her work spans across multiple sectors and environments including secondary schools, non-profit organizations, social service agencies, corporate settings, and higher education institutions around the United States. She received her Master’s Degree in 2003 from Teachers College, Columbia University, and in 2005, under the leadership of Dr. Derald Wing Sue, she was a co-author of the seminal article, “Racial microaggressions in everyday life: Implications for clinical practice”. (American Psychologist, 62(4), 271-286.)
*Legal Continuing Education: The Center for Understanding in Conflict is an accredited provider of California Continuing Legal Education by the State Bar of California. This webinar training is appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys and will qualify for MCLE (CA) for Recognition and Elimination of Bias 1.0
Please note California MCLE credit is only available for the live webinar and not for recorded sessions.
*Please select desired ticket and quantity using the +/- feature before clicking ‘Get Tickets.’

Fundamentals of Understanding Workplace Conflict (SHRM and HRCI Credit)
2026-02-13 09:00 - 14:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
This comprehensive 14-hour workshop builds upon foundational conflict resolution concepts from our 4-hour introductory course to tackle the sophisticated challenges of workplace disputes. Participants will move beyond basic techniques to develop skills in understanding multi-layered conflicts, de-escalating tensions, developing mutual understanding between employees, and maintaining resilience even in high-stakes situations.
Why This Training
Workplace conflict often stems not from what is said, but from what goes unspoken. This training helps participants move beyond surface-level fixes and into the heart of what drives conflict. You’ll learn to slow down, understand what’s really happening – for yourself and others – and engage more effectively with the people and systems around you.
What You’ll Learn
Through experiential learning, roleplays, and reflective practice, participants will explore how emotional responses, individual and organizational conflict styles, core competencies, and the situational context intersect to either fuel or resolve workplace tensions. The workshop emphasizes developing both the internal awareness and external skills necessary to bring the best of yourself for sustained effectiveness in workplace conflict.
Who Should Attend
This training is designed for professionals at all levels who are ready to engage workplace conflict in a more effective and human-centered way. Whether you’re in leadership, support, or team-based roles, this course delivers practical value you can apply immediately and build on over time.
HR professionals, managers and team leads will gain frameworks to handle complex interpersonal dynamics and leave with new tools to address tension early, reduce misunderstandings, and shift from managing conflict to facilitating resolution. Outcomes include stronger team cohesion, greater morale, and fewer disruptions to productivity.
Consultants and executive coaches will deepen their ability to support clients and colleagues in navigating high-stakes conversations. The Understanding-based model offers a durable alternative to adversarial approaches, with strong relevance for internal workplace matters.
Employees and cross-functional team members will gain confidence and clarity in how to address issues directly and constructively, even without formal authority. This empowers healthier work cultures and more resilient communication.
Why it Matters
Organizations lose time, money, and talent when conflict is mismanaged or ignored. This training delivers a strong return on investment by helping participants:

Reduce time spent on repeated, unresolved conflicts
Increase engagement and trust among coworkers
Retain high-performing staff through better communication
Build a more responsive and humane workplace culture

Participants consistently tell us this training transforms how they see and handle conflict – not just at work, but in every part of life. It is a powerful foundation for anyone seeking to make conflict less costly and more meaningful.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

Navigate Conflict-Laden Conversations: Apply the understanding-based concepts and tools to real-world conflicts in the workplace.
Analyze and De-escalate Complex Dynamics: Examine multi-layered workplace conflicts by identifying hierarchical differences, cultural dynamics, power imbalances, and team and systemic factors that contribute to escalation. Work with these layers in a way that builds trust.
Facilitate Perspective-Taking: Use a structured process to understand different viewpoints before engaging in problem-solving, even in situations with deep-seated animosity or mistrust.
Manage Personal Reactions: Recognize and regulate their own emotional responses to conflict, maintaining effectiveness even when personally challenged or activated. Allow tension in a more deliberate and confident way, whether the tension is generated by others or within themselves.
Address root causes: Use a step-by-step approach to address root causes of conflict rather than just surface symptoms.

Format & Details
Date & Time: February 13 & 27 and March 13, 2026, 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM Pacific Time (includes two 15-minute breaks)
12:00PM – 5:30PM Eastern Time
Location: Live Online (Zoom)
Cost: $985
CE Credits: 14 hours SHRM & HRCI
4-hour Introduction to Understanding Workplace Conflict prerequisite required
*Note: Both the 4-hour Introductory course and 14-hour course may be booked together. Select the ticket “BOTH PROGRAMS – 4 and 14-hour” ticket to register for both programs with a 15% discount.
SHRM and HRCI Certification
The Center for Understanding in Conflict is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDC) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

This Program has been pre-approved for 4 recertification continuing education credit hours toward aPHR®, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™, and SPHRi™ recertification through HRCI.
About the Center
The Center for Understanding in Conflict pioneered understanding-based mediation and is one of the first and only nonprofit conflict resolution training organizations worldwide.
Since 1982, the Center has trained more than 10,000 professionals worldwide, including leaders from the Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation, Intel Corporation, Roche, SAP and the World Intellectual Property Organization. Our approach is rooted in real-world practice, human connection, and the belief that conflict can be a doorway to transformation.
Trainers
Helen Chen is a mediator, trainer, and conflict coach with deep expertise in workplace conflict. A former employment attorney at Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, she represented workers in areas ranging from retaliation to occupational safety. She later trained both employers and employees across sectors through the Labor Occupational Health Program at UC Berkeley. Today, Helen supports organizations through mediation and conflict coaching, with a focus on improving work relationships and conditions. She is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and trained in mediation by the Center for Understanding in Conflict and others.

Catherine Conner has trained mediators and collaborative professionals since 2004, bringing decades of real-world experience in conflict resolution. Her private practice focuses on family law mediation and collaborative practice, and she brings her strong background in alternate dispute resolution into the workplace setting. She is a founding partner at her law firm and has been recognized nationally for her excellence in the field. Catherine’s extensive experience in building bridges between conflicting parties informs her dynamic, practical teaching style.

Pat Lau served as a workplace mediator at Intel Corporation for 14 years, where he co-founded and led the company’s internal Collaborative Mediation Program. Under his guidance, this initiative helped resolve complex conflicts between coworkers, managers, and teams. Pat is a nationally recognized trainer and presenter on workplace conflict, with published work in the Corporate Mediation Journal and Managing Conflict (2nd ed.). He brings a systems-minded approach to mediation from his prior engineering career and is committed to helping professionals understand and shift conflict dynamics from the inside out.

Additional Notes
Registrations received fewer than 72 hours before the program will be accepted at the discretion of the training team due to role-play and logistics needs.
For questions, contact us at admin@understandinginconflict.org

**Please select desired ticket and quantity using the +/- feature before clicking ‘Get Tickets.’

Support and Development Group - Spring 2026
2026-02-09 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Joining a Support and Development Group is an invaluable opportunity to take your conflict resolution practice to the next level.
Be a part of a dedicated group to bring your most pressing challenges, gain fresh perspectives, and explore innovative solutions with a community of like-minded professionals. The insights you gain, combined with the relationships you build, will deepen your mastery of the understanding-based model and enhance your effectiveness in the real-world situations you encounter daily. If you’re ready to invest in your growth and be part of a dynamic learning environment, we encourage you to sign up or reach out with any questions. Take the next step in your professional journey—this is the perfect setting to refine your skills, gain support, and make lasting connections.
How the Group Works
Offered twice per year, the Support and Development Group is a collaborative learning environment designed for professionals who have completed the Center’s basic training and seek to deepen their understanding and application of the understanding-based model. This program offers a unique opportunity for participants to engage in practical learning by presenting real-world challenges they’ve encountered in integrating the model into their work. Through collective exploration, the group investigates not only what is meaningful to the participant presenting but also what resonates with others, fostering broader insights and growth.
It is so special and rare to have a group of people who are able to provide such thoughtful feedback, thoughts, and ideas about how to do things differently all while being so incredibly supportive. Words aren’t sufficient to express my gratitude… This is exactly why I joined this group and it has truly lived up to its name.
– Dave, Attorney, Spring 2025 SDG

Group Size and Structure
The intimate group size, limited to 10 participants, encourages deep, interactive discussions. These sessions are led by seasoned facilitators from The Center for Understanding in Conflict who guide the group in theoretical reflection and practical problem-solving. Participants commit to five 2-hour meetings over six months, creating a sustained, trust-based learning community. The continuity of these meetings allows members to build strong connections, enabling more candid sharing and deeper exploration of personal and professional conflict resolution challenges.
What You’ll Gain
In addition to learning through case presentations, the group is structured to encourage self-reflection and mutual feedback, ensuring that participants can transform theoretical knowledge into confident, applied practice in real time. By fostering a supportive environment where professionals can candidly share and explore their experiences, this group is instrumental in making a real difference in their professional lives.
Logistics
Dates: February 9, March 9, April 13, May 11, and June 8
Time: 9AM – 11AM Pacific / 12PM – 2PM Eastern
Format: Online
Cost: $495 for the full series
Trainers
Ivan Alter is a collaborative attorney and mediator with offices in Westchester County and New York City. Practicing law since 1994,Ivan previously had a career as a commercial and matrimonial litigator before discovering the understanding based model at the CUC. Since then, Ivan has focused all of his professional energies on practicing, promoting, and teaching mediation and collaborative law. He is member of the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals, the Family and Divorce Mediation Council, the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, and Northern Westchester Collaborative Divorce.

Melanie Rowen is a mediator and conflict coach who believes in the power of understanding-based conflict resolution to transform our world. She frequently trains individuals and groups on effective communication in conflict situations and on creating inclusive environments, particularly around gender, sexual orientation, and disability. Melanie previously litigated civil rights cases, including marriage equality, employment discrimination, issues involving transgender and gender non-conforming youth and their families, and issues facing LGBTQ+ elders, at the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and served on the Board of Directors of the Transgender Law Center. Earlier in her career, she worked in business litigation at Latham & Watkins LLP, and for many years, she was the Associate Director for Public Interest Programs at UC Berkeley School of Law. Melanie currently works in attorney professional development at the Bay Area offices of a large law firm, and is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association for Law Placement.
Cancellation Policy
Please note our cancellation policy: If you cancel within 30 days prior to the program, your deposit will be returned minus a $150.00 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 are not made for cancellations within the last week prior to the series start unless there is a replacement for your seat. There are no refunds after the start of the series.
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 admin@understandinginconflict.org.
*Please note that trainers are subject to availability and may change prior to program start without notice.

*Please select desired ticket and quantity using the +/- feature before clicking ‘Get Tickets.’

2026 SCPI Retreat: Conflict and Compassion (MEXICO)
2026-01-24 15:00 - 2026-01-31 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Mar de Jade, Mar de Jade No. 1, Chacala, nayarit, Mexico
In a world where the challenges around us – from climate change to political division to daily interpersonal tensions – can feel overwhelming, how do we stay connected, grounded, and engaged without losing ourselves?
We invite you to step away from distractions and overwhelm and into a space of deeper listening – both inward and outward. Together, we will explore how our emotional reactions shape how we show up in our lives and our work. By turning towards these reactions with curiosity and care, we can cultivate a greater sense of resilience, clarity, and compassion.

This retreat is especially for those who regularly engage with conflict – mediators, therapists, lawyers, human resource professionals, activists, journalists, leaders, and caregivers. Whether we want to or not, we bring our full emotional selves into the room: frustration, fear, heartbreak, and sometimes hope. These feelings, often hidden or ignored, can become powerful allies in helping us connect more authentically – with others and with ourselves.

Through reflective exercises, dialogue, role play, and meditation, we will look closely at our inner lives, our work, and our relationship to conflict. Together, we’ll practice staying open, present, and available—even in the face of difficulty.
We’ll do this work in the serene and inspiring setting of Mar de Jade, nestled on a peaceful stretch of the Pacific Coast north of Puerto Vallarta. This beautiful retreat center offers nourishing food, yoga, swimming, and space to wander, rest, and restore. Long afternoon breaks allow time to relax, connect with nature, or simply enjoy the quiet.
We hope you’ll join us for this meaningful time of learning, growth, and connection.

Location
Mar De Jade Retreat Center, Chacala, Mexico. Visit www.mardejade.com for additional information and photos.
*A portion of proceeds from guests’ stays at Mar de Jade support its non-profit programs, operated by MDJ Community Projects, which currently include: El Jardín, a Montessori – Waldorf inspired K – 9 school in Chacala; TAO de Jade a trade school for youth who have dropped out of secondary school because of economic hardship; and El Rancho, an Organic Farm that supplies many of the products for Mar de Jade’s delicious meals.

Dates

Saturday, January 24, 2026 through Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Our first session will be on the morning of January 25 to allow for travel to Chacala on January 24 and we will end on the evening of January 30 to allow for return travel on January 31.

Training fee

The training fee (not inclusive of accommodation) is $1,695.
A $500 deposit is required to hold your place. If a deposit is made, the remaining balance is due by November 1, 2025.
If registering after November 1, 2025, payment in full is required at the time of registration.

Scroll all the way to the bottom to register for the training. Housing is booked separately – see below.

Accommodation and Facility fee
After booking your training fee with CUC, make room reservations directly with Mar De Jade. Remember to book early in order to have a wider choice of rooms:

1. Book Online (unique booking link for direct access to the retreat)
2. Call 1800-257-0532
3. Email info@mardejade.com

Note: The online booking system will only reserve complete rooms. If more than two people are booking together and wish to split the deposit on multiple credit cards, please call Mar de Jade directly. Note they are not able to guarantee shared rates if roommates do not book together.
Logistics

Housing and meals – includes 7 nights accommodations and 3 delicious buffet style meals per day.
The following are extra and optional: bar drinks, spa treatments, and gratuities.
Pick-up and transportation from and to the Puerto Vallerta airport is available at an additional cost.
Excursions are available during our long afternoon break at an additional cost.
Please visit here for Mar de Jade’s cancellation policy and other FAQs.

Trainers

Hansa Patel is an attorney, mediator, and teacher. As an attorney, Hansa zealously advocated for abused and neglected children or defended their parents’ rights in the San Francisco juvenile dependency court for fourteen years. Hansa is passionate about serving the underprivileged community. Feeling depleted by the court system, Hansa explored new ways to empower her clients to resolve conflict. Mediation empowers Hansa’s clients to choose how they want to engage with conflict, co-create resolutions, and even transform a relationship. In the USA, Canada, and Africa, Hansa teaches mediation, including integrating mindfulness skills into conflict resolution. Hansa wants her clients to have the same tools she cultivates in her children: a mindful approach to resolving challenges in life.
Catherine Conner has been a mediation and collaborative practice trainer since 2004. She is a frequent presenter at collaborative conferences and family law workshops. She authored Collaborative Practice Materials with Steven Neustadter and Margaret Anderson. Catherine Conner’s private practice focuses on family law alternate dispute resolution, including mediation, collaborative practice, and private judging. She graduated from the UC Berkeley School of Law in 1982 and is a founding partner of Conner, Lawrence, Rodney, Olhiser & Barrett, LLP. In 1992, Catherine became a Certified Family Law Specialist. She has been honored as the recipient of the Rex Sater Award for Excellence in Family Law, the Eureka award by Collaborative Practice California and was the 2018 honoree for Careers of Distinction. She was on the Board of Directors of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals from 2007-2014 and served as the President in 2013.

Gary J. Friedman has been practicing law as a mediator with Mediation Law Offices in Mill Valley, California since 1976, integrating mediative principles into the practice of law and the resolution of legal disputes. Co-founder of the Center for Understanding in Conflict (formerly the Center for Mediation in Law), he has been teaching mediation since 1980. Prior to his work as a mediator, he practiced law as a trial lawyer with Friedman and Friedman in Bridgeport, Connecticut. After several years as an advocate, he sought a new approach to resolving disputes through increasing the participation of the parties in the resolution of their differences. At that time, he and his colleague, Jack Himmelstein, began to develop the Understanding-based model that is now practiced extensively in the United States and Europe.

Norman Fischer is a poet, author, Zen Buddhist priest, and former abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center. As founder of the Everyday Zen Foundation (www.everydayzen.org), his work with meditation practice has taken him into many corners of contemporary American life, including the arts, education, hospice training, and lawyering as a spiritual path. Norman has worked with the Center for Understanding in Conflict on inquiries that bring the calmness and insight of meditation practice directly into conflict situations. The author of 29 books, his poetry titles include Selected Poems 1980–2013, Men in Suits, and There Was A Clattering As…. His recent and notable Buddhist titles include Training in Compassion, The World Could Be Otherwise, and, forthcoming in 2026, The Great Road: Zen Master Dogen and the Art of Continuous Practice.

Continuing Education Credits
Legal: The Center for Understanding in Conflict is an accredited provider of California Continuing Legal Education. This training – appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys – will qualify for 30 CA MCLE credit hours, including 12 Wellness and 2 Civility in the Legal Profession.
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.
Refund Policy
A full refund, minus a $250 administration fee, will be made if cancelled prior to September 1, 2025. A 50% refund will be made for cancellations between September 1 and November 1 unless we are able to fill your place. No refunds will be made after November 1 unless we are able to fill your place.
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 admin@understandinginconflict.org.
*Please note that trainers are subject to availability and may change prior to program start without notice.

**Please select desired ticket and quantity using the +/- feature before clicking ‘Get Tickets.’

Beneath the Conflict: Civility Through Understanding Tension, Emotion, and Bias (CA CLE Eligible)
2026-01-22 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
In recent years, as public discourse has become increasingly harsh, there have been increasing calls for civility in many spaces, including the legal profession and conflict resolution. True civility in conflict resolution goes deeper than surface-level politeness. This webinar challenges conflict professionals to consider carefully what civility means by exploring how productive tension, self-awareness, and acknowledging emotion lead to deeper conversations and better outcomes.
Join Melanie Rowen and Catherine Conner as we examine:

The paradox of productive tension: Why allowing discomfort in the room can motivate parties toward genuine resolution rather than superficial agreement
Emotional Regulation: Distinguishing between feelings and behaviors that advance resolution and those that reflect bias and drive incivility and harm
Judgment awareness practice: How recognizing our own biases and judgments helps us understand parties and other professionals with greater clarity and respect
What lies beneath: Discovering the real interests and concerns that drive conflict—and, if not surfaced, can create civility challenges

This program satisfies the 1 hour California State Bar civility credit requirement* and provides practical tools for any conflict professional to eliminate bias-driven incivility through deeper self-awareness and more authentic professional engagement.

*Legal Continuing Education: The Center for Understanding in Conflict is an accredited provider of California Continuing Legal Education by the State Bar of California. This webinar training is appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys and will qualify for 1 participatory CA MCLE credit hour.

Please note California MCLE credit is only available for the live webinar and not for recorded sessions.
*Please select desired ticket and quantity using the +/- feature before clicking ‘Get Tickets.’

Introduction to Understanding Workplace Conflict (SHRM and HRCI Credit)
2026-01-16 09:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Conflict at work is inevitable – but it doesn’t have to be insurmountable. This 4.5-hour live interactive training introduces the core principles and practical tools of the Understanding-based approach to resolving workplace conflict. Whether you’re an HR leader, manager, consultant, attorney, or team member, this workshop provides a meaningful starting point for navigating challenging dynamics and building stronger professional relationships.
Why This Training
Workplace conflict often stems not from what is said, but from what goes unspoken. This training helps participants move beyond surface-level fixes and into the heart of what drives conflict. You’ll learn to slow down, understand what’s really happening – for yourself and others – and engage more effectively with the people and systems around you.
What You’ll Learn

How to build trust and connection in the face of disagreement
Ways to address early-stage conflict before it escalates
Techniques to de-escalate tense situations with clarity and compassion
A deeper understanding of how personal awareness shapes professional communication
Real-world practice through role plays, reflection, and group exercises

Who Should Attend
This training is designed for professionals at all levels who are ready to engage workplace conflict in a more effective and human-centered way. Whether you’re in leadership, support, or team-based roles, this course delivers practical value you can apply immediately and build on over time.
HR professionals, managers and team leads will gain frameworks to handle complex interpersonal dynamics and leave with new tools to address tension early, reduce misunderstandings, and shift from managing conflict to facilitating resolution. Outcomes include stronger team cohesion, greater morale, and fewer disruptions to productivity.
Consultants and executive coaches will deepen their ability to support clients and colleagues in navigating high-stakes conversations. The Understanding-based model offers a durable alternative to adversarial approaches, with strong relevance for internal workplace matters.
Employees and cross-functional team members will gain confidence and clarity in how to address issues directly and constructively, even without formal authority. This empowers healthier work cultures and more resilient communication.
Why it Matters
Organizations lose time, money, and talent when conflict is mismanaged or ignored. This training delivers a strong return on investment by helping participants:

Reduce time spent on repeated, unresolved conflicts
Increase engagement and trust among coworkers
Retain high-performing staff through better communication
Build a more responsive and humane workplace culture

Participants consistently tell us this training transforms how they see and handle conflict – not just at work, but in every part of life. It is a powerful foundation for anyone seeking to make conflict less costly and more meaningful.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

Identify and apply the six core principles of the Understanding-based approach
Use specific techniques to address emerging and high-tension workplace conflicts
Recognize different conflict styles and adapt strategies for collaboration
Begin integrating personal awareness into conflict resolution practices

Format & Details
Date & Time: January 16, 2026, 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM Pacific Time (includes two 15-minute breaks)
12:00PM – 4:30PM Eastern Time
Location: Live Online (Zoom)
Cost: $250
CE Credits: 4 hours SHRM & HRCI
No prerequisites required
This course is a prerequisite for the Fundamentals of Understanding Workplace Conflict (SHRM and HRCI Credit) training.
*Note: Both the 4-hour Introductory course and 14-hour course may be booked together. Select the ticket “BOTH PROGRAMS – 4 and 14-hour” ticket to register for both programs with a 15% discount.
Cancellation Policy
This training is not refundable, though a credit may be applied to a future program if transferred 30 days in advance of program start.
SHRM and HRCI Certification
The Center for Understanding in Conflict is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDC) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

This Program has been pre-approved for 4 recertification continuing education credit hours toward aPHR®, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™, and SPHRi™ recertification through HRCI.
About the Center
The Center for Understanding in Conflict pioneered understanding-based mediation and is one of the first and only nonprofit conflict resolution training organizations worldwide.
Since 1982, the Center has trained more than 10,000 professionals worldwide, including leaders from the Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation, Intel Corporation, Roche, SAP and the World Intellectual Property Organization. Our approach is rooted in real-world practice, human connection, and the belief that conflict can be a doorway to transformation.
Trainers
Helen Chen is a mediator, trainer, and conflict coach with deep expertise in workplace conflict. A former employment attorney at Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, she represented workers in areas ranging from retaliation to occupational safety. She later trained both employers and employees across sectors through the Labor Occupational Health Program at UC Berkeley. Today, Helen supports organizations through mediation and conflict coaching, with a focus on improving work relationships and conditions. She is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and trained in mediation by the Center for Understanding in Conflict and others.

Catherine Conner has trained mediators and collaborative professionals since 2004, bringing decades of real-world experience in conflict resolution. Her private practice focuses on family law mediation and collaborative practice, and she brings her strong background in alternate dispute resolution into the workplace setting. She is a founding partner at her law firm and has been recognized nationally for her excellence in the field. Catherine’s extensive experience in building bridges between conflicting parties informs her dynamic, practical teaching style.

Pat Lau served as a workplace mediator at Intel Corporation for 14 years, where he co-founded and led the company’s internal Collaborative Mediation Program. Under his guidance, this initiative helped resolve complex conflicts between coworkers, managers, and teams. Pat is a nationally recognized trainer and presenter on workplace conflict, with published work in the Corporate Mediation Journal and Managing Conflict (2nd ed.). He brings a systems-minded approach to mediation from his prior engineering career and is committed to helping professionals understand and shift conflict dynamics from the inside out.

Additional Notes
Registrations received fewer than 72 hours before the program will be accepted at the discretion of the training team due to role-play and logistics needs.
For questions, contact us at admin@understandinginconflict.org

**Please select desired ticket and quantity using the +/- feature before clicking ‘Get Tickets.’

Winter '26 - Free Virtual CUC Meet and Greet
2026-01-09 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Are you interested in conflict resolution, mediation, or understanding different perspectives? We invite you to join the Center for Understanding in Conflict (CUC) Meet and Greet, a unique opportunity to engage with a community of like-minded individuals. This event, held twice a year, is a free, 90-minute forum open to everyone, providing a welcoming space to discuss any topic you wish to bring to the table.
The CUC Meet and Greet is facilitated by two experienced teachers, Michelle Exline Minovi and Melanie Rowen, passionate about the understanding-based conflict resolution model. One key benefit of attending this event is the opportunity to discuss any topic of interest or concern. The open format allows participants to steer the conversation in directions that are most relevant to them, making each meet-and-greet a unique and dynamic experience. Whether you have questions about specific conflict scenarios, want to discuss theoretical aspects of the understanding-based model, or are curious about the Center’s programs and resources, this is the perfect platform to voice your thoughts and gain valuable insights.
By interacting with the facilitators and other participants, you can form connections leading to future collaborations, mentorship opportunities, or enriching discussions. The next Meet and Greet is just around the corner, and we would love to see you there. Whether you want to deepen your knowledge, share your experiences, or listen and learn, the CUC Meet and Greet offers a welcoming and stimulating environment.
Together, we can continue to build a community that values understanding and collaboration in resolving conflicts. We look forward to seeing you at the CUC Meet and Greet!
REGISTRATION LINK: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/c1W-B-p4Tu2XiPEkk8phlQ

CUC Connect Online Mixer: Getting Started in 2026
2025-12-15 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
CUC Connect Member-Only | December SessionPresentation + Small Group Discussion
Join us for a dynamic and collaborative members-only gathering focused on launching your journey toward deeper mediation experience in the understanding-based approach.
Catherine Conner, Gary Friedman, Joy Rosenthal, Ivan Alter, and Melanie Rowen will share practical strategies and personal insights on how to begin or deepen your path in mediation. We will explore how to:

Identify local opportunities to engage with conflict work
Reach out to potential referral sources and community partners
Build a simple, values-aligned portfolio grounded in the understanding-based approach

After the presentation, we will move into small, facilitated groups designed to foster peer connection, collaborative learning, and open sharing. You will have space to:

Share what is happening in your community
Trade tips, experiences, and contacts
Explore ideas for next steps, both individually and collectively

We will reconvene as a full group to surface key takeaways, reflect on themes that emerge, and begin visioning together for what is possible in 2026. A member-sourced resource list will be shared after the session to support your continued growth and collaboration.
Let’s connect, strategize, and build momentum together!
Members will be sent a calendar invite and Zoom information directly.

Navigating the Gray Areas: Managing Conflicts of Interest in Conflict Resolution Practice
2025-11-18 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Conflict professionals often find themselves in complex situations where personal relationships, professional connections, or prior involvements create potential conflicts of interest.
How do we recognize these ethical gray areas?
When should we proceed with caution, seek consultation, or decline engagement altogether?
Join experienced practitioners Caitlin Meredith and Marie MacNichol for an engaging exploration of the nuanced challenges conflict professionals face when managing conflicts of interest. This session will examine real-world scenarios including:

Personal relationships with parties or their representatives
Professional connections that may compromise neutrality
Prior involvement in related matters or organizations
Financial interests that could influence judgment
Community ties and overlapping social networks
Dual relationships and boundary management

We will explore frameworks for ethical decision-making, learn strategies for transparent disclosure, and consider when consultation with colleagues or professional bodies is essential.
Whether you’re a mediator, facilitator, ombudsperson, or other conflict resolution professional, this session will strengthen your ability to navigate these challenging situations while maintaining professional integrity.

Introduction to Understanding Workplace Conflict (SHRM and HRCI Credit)
2025-11-14 09:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Conflict at work is inevitable – but it doesn’t have to be insurmountable. This 4.5-hour live interactive training introduces the core principles and practical tools of the Understanding-based approach to resolving workplace conflict. Whether you’re an HR leader, manager, consultant, attorney, or team member, this workshop provides a meaningful starting point for navigating challenging dynamics and building stronger professional relationships.
Why This Training
Workplace conflict often stems not from what is said, but from what goes unspoken. This training helps participants move beyond surface-level fixes and into the heart of what drives conflict. You’ll learn to slow down, understand what’s really happening – for yourself and others – and engage more effectively with the people and systems around you.
What You’ll Learn

How to build trust and connection in the face of disagreement
Ways to address early-stage conflict before it escalates
Techniques to de-escalate tense situations with clarity and compassion
A deeper understanding of how personal awareness shapes professional communication
Real-world practice through role plays, reflection, and group exercises

Who Should Attend
This training is designed for professionals at all levels who are ready to engage workplace conflict in a more effective and human-centered way. Whether you’re in leadership, support, or team-based roles, this course delivers practical value you can apply immediately and build on over time.
HR professionals, managers and team leads will gain frameworks to handle complex interpersonal dynamics and leave with new tools to address tension early, reduce misunderstandings, and shift from managing conflict to facilitating resolution. Outcomes include stronger team cohesion, greater morale, and fewer disruptions to productivity.
Consultants and executive coaches will deepen their ability to support clients and colleagues in navigating high-stakes conversations. The Understanding-based model offers a durable alternative to adversarial approaches, with strong relevance for internal workplace matters.
Employees and cross-functional team members will gain confidence and clarity in how to address issues directly and constructively, even without formal authority. This empowers healthier work cultures and more resilient communication.
Why it Matters
Organizations lose time, money, and talent when conflict is mismanaged or ignored. This training delivers a strong return on investment by helping participants:

Reduce time spent on repeated, unresolved conflicts
Increase engagement and trust among coworkers
Retain high-performing staff through better communication
Build a more responsive and humane workplace culture

Participants consistently tell us this training transforms how they see and handle conflict – not just at work, but in every part of life. It is a powerful foundation for anyone seeking to make conflict less costly and more meaningful.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

Identify and apply the six core principles of the Understanding-based approach
Use specific techniques to address emerging and high-tension workplace conflicts
Recognize different conflict styles and adapt strategies for collaboration
Begin integrating personal awareness into conflict resolution practices

Format & Details
Date & Time: November 14, 2025, 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM Pacific Time (includes two 15-minute breaks)
12:00PM – 4:30PM Eastern Time
Location: Live Online (Zoom)
Cost: $250
CE Credits: 4 hours SHRM & HRCI
No prerequisites required
This course is a prerequisite for the Fundamentals of Understanding Workplace Conflict (SHRM and HRCI Credit) training.
*Note: Both the 4-hour Introductory course and 14-hour course may be booked together. Select the ticket “BOTH PROGRAMS – 4 and 14-hour” ticket to register for both programs with a 15% discount.
Cancellation Policy
This training is not refundable, though a credit may be applied to a future program if transferred 30 days in advance of program start.
SHRM and HRCI Certification
The Center for Understanding in Conflict is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDC) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

This Program has been pre-approved for 4 recertification continuing education credit hours toward aPHR®, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™, and SPHRi™ recertification through HRCI.
About the Center
The Center for Understanding in Conflict pioneered understanding-based mediation and is one of the first and only nonprofit conflict resolution training organizations worldwide.
Since 1982, the Center has trained more than 10,000 professionals worldwide, including leaders from the Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation, Intel Corporation, Roche, SAP and the World Intellectual Property Organization. Our approach is rooted in real-world practice, human connection, and the belief that conflict can be a doorway to transformation.
Trainers
Helen Chen is a mediator, trainer, and conflict coach with deep expertise in workplace conflict. A former employment attorney at Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, she represented workers in areas ranging from retaliation to occupational safety. She later trained both employers and employees across sectors through the Labor Occupational Health Program at UC Berkeley. Today, Helen supports organizations through mediation and conflict coaching, with a focus on improving work relationships and conditions. She is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and trained in mediation by the Center for Understanding in Conflict and others.

Catherine Conner has trained mediators and collaborative professionals since 2004, bringing decades of real-world experience in conflict resolution. Her private practice focuses on family law mediation and collaborative practice, and she brings her strong background in alternate dispute resolution into the workplace setting. She is a founding partner at her law firm and has been recognized nationally for her excellence in the field. Catherine’s extensive experience in building bridges between conflicting parties informs her dynamic, practical teaching style.

Pat Lau served as a workplace mediator at Intel Corporation for 14 years, where he co-founded and led the company’s internal Collaborative Mediation Program. Under his guidance, this initiative helped resolve complex conflicts between coworkers, managers, and teams. Pat is a nationally recognized trainer and presenter on workplace conflict, with published work in the Corporate Mediation Journal and Managing Conflict (2nd ed.). He brings a systems-minded approach to mediation from his prior engineering career and is committed to helping professionals understand and shift conflict dynamics from the inside out.

Additional Notes
Registrations received fewer than 72 hours before the program will be accepted at the discretion of the training team due to role-play and logistics needs.
For questions, contact us at admin@understandinginconflict.org

**Please select desired ticket and quantity using the +/- feature before clicking ‘Get Tickets.’

40-Hour Mediation and Conflict Resolution Skills Training (West Coast)
2025-11-05 - 2025-11-09 | Green Gulch Farm, 1601 Shoreline Highway, Muir Beach, CA, 94965, United States
November 5-9, 2025 | Green Gulch Farm, Muir Beach, CA
To register, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Are you the person others turn to when they are in conflict?
Whether you mediate disputes professionally or want to improve how you support meaningful conversations – in families, workplaces, or communities – this immersive, in-person training will provide you with the essential skills, structure, and confidence to navigate conflict with greater clarity and connection.
What You’ll Learn
Grounded in the Understanding-Based model from Challenging Conflict, this training focuses on:

Positive Neutrality – supporting all parties without taking sides
The Loop of Understanding – building empathy and connection through active listening
Creative Options – crafting solutions that meet deeper needs and interests
A Foundation for the Future – enabling lasting, self-determined agreements

Who Should Attend?
This training is designed for anyone whose personal or professional life involves guiding others through conflict, whether formally or informally. Our participants consistently report that this program reshapes not only how they approach conflict, but how they understand communication, decision-making, and relationship dynamics. Here’s how this training applies to different professional roles:
Mediators and Conflict Resolution Professionals
Whether you are newly exploring mediation or seeking to deepen your practice, this training offers a hands-on approach that moves beyond traditional tools and techniques. You will learn how to facilitate conversations where parties truly understand each other – often for the first time – and co-create durable, meaningful resolutions.
Lawyers, Collaborative Professionals, and Ombuds
For legal professionals, , this model shifts the focus from advocacy and positioning to understanding and informed choice. You will learn how to support clients in engaging constructively with conflict while still addressing legal realities – without relying on control, pressure, or adversarial dynamics.
Human Resources Leaders, Managers, and Nonprofit Staff
If you are responsible for managing people, teams, or organizational culture, this training provides a vital toolkit for navigating interpersonal tension, staff grievances, and sensitive conversations. The Understanding-Based model helps you foster clarity, empathy, and accountability – leading to more resilient teams and healthier workplace dynamics.
Executive Coaches, Consultants, and Educators
When your work centers on growth, transformation, and leadership, conflict is often just beneath the surface. This training equips you with a new lens and skill set for working with clients or groups who are stuck in disagreement, misalignment, or tension. You will be better prepared to support breakthroughs – whether in strategic planning, coaching conversations, or facilitation work.
Anyone Seeking a More Meaningful Way to Work with Conflict
You do not need to be a professional mediator to benefit from this training. If you are the person people come to when there is tension – in your family, workplace, or community – or if you want to better understand and navigate conflict in your own life, this training offers a practical, compassionate framework that will change how you listen, speak, and relate to others.

Program Format
This in-person training features a mix of short presentations, live demonstrations, and small group role plays in full-length practice mediations. You’ll have the chance to practice in a safe, supportive environment with real-time feedback and coaching from experienced trainers.

Schedule Overview

Wednesday, Nov 5: Check-in is 1:45 – 2:15 pm; training begins 2:30 pm and runs until 9:00 pm
Thursday – Friday, Nov 6 – 7: Full-day sessions, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm (with ample breaks)
Saturday, Nov 8: 9:00 am-6:00 pm
Sunday, Nov 9: 9:00 am-12:15 pm

Note: Lodging check-in may not be available until 3:00pm Wednesday.
Venue
Green Gulch Farm Zen Center in Muir Beach, CA, is a tranquil retreat space nestled among coastal hills. Accommodations are simple and beautiful, with Japanese-inspired guest rooms and shared bathrooms. Three nourishing vegetarian meals per day are provided, along with snacks, coffee, and tea. WIFI is available, but cell service is limited.
Participants must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 at least two weeks prior to the program.

About the Center for Understanding in Conflict and Our Model
The Center for Understanding in Conflict (CUC) was founded over four decades ago by Gary Friedman and Jack Himmelstein, who pioneered a radical approach to mediation and conflict resolution. Drawing from their experiences as lawyers, educators, and people impacted by conflict themselves, they developed what is now known as the Understanding-Based model.
This approach challenges the traditional win-lose, adversarial frameworks that dominate many legal and organizational systems. Instead of seeing conflict as something to suppress, manage, or solve through external authority, the Understanding-Based model embraces it as an opportunity for deeper human connection which supports the impulse to work together towards mutually beneficial solutions. .
At its heart, the model is grounded in four core principles:

Understanding – cultivating deep awareness of oneself, others, and the conflict itself
Responsibility – inviting parties to take ownership of the process and outcome
Working Together – choosing dialogue and direct engagement over separation or shuttle diplomacy
Going Under the Conflict – exploring what lies beneath positions to get to meaning, emotion, and deeper needs

Since the 1980s, thousands of professionals – including mediators, lawyers, coaches, therapists, managers, and community leaders – have trained with the Center. Many have incorporated the Understanding-Based model into their lives and work, transforming not just how they navigate conflict, but how they relate to others and themselves.
This training is a continuation of that legacy. It’s more than just a skills workshop – it’s an invitation to participate in a movement that honors empathy, autonomy, and connection at the center of conflict resolution.

Full Program Trainers
Catherine Conner has been a mediation and collaborative practice trainer since 2004. She is a frequent presenter at collaborative conferences and family law workshops. She authored Collaborative Practice Materials with Steven Neustadter and Margaret Anderson. Catherine Conner’s private practice focuses on family law alternate dispute resolution, including mediation, collaborative practice, and private judging. She graduated from the UC Berkeley School of Law in 1982 and is a founding partner of Conner, Lawrence, Rodney, Olhiser & Barrett, LLP. In 1992, Catherine became a Certified Family Law Specialist. She has been honored as the recipient of the Rex Sater Award for Excellence in Family Law, the Eureka award by Collaborative Practice California and was the 2018 honoree for Careers of Distinction. She was on the Board of Directors of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals from 2007-2014 and served as the President in 2013.
Caitlin Meredith, MPH, MA, is a mediator, coach and conflict skills trainer who works with individuals, organizations and families navigating transitions and conflict. Her curiosity about conflict led to 13 years with Doctors Without Borders in war zones in sub-Saharan Africa, and then to consulting in the criminal justice system. After working in the aftermath of big conflicts, she decided to learn more about preventing and working through disagreements through courageous conversations. This curiosity led her to the Center for Understanding in Conflict. In addition to her private practice, Caitlin volunteers her time as a mediator for community and court-based mediation programs in Colorado and California. She also teaches Core Mediation and Negotiation classes at the Monterey College of Law and co-hosts a podcast about women’s financial literacy. In all of her endeavors, Caitlin finds honest, clear and vulnerable communication to be the key ingredient for creating meaningful connections in our lives. Also, humor.
Special Guest Trainer
Gary J. Friedman has been practicing law as a mediator with Mediation Law Offices in Mill Valley, California since 1976, integrating mediative principles into the practice of law and the resolution of legal disputes. Co-founder of the Center for Understanding in Conflict (formerly the Center for Mediation in Law), he has been teaching mediation since 1980. Prior to his work as a mediator, he practiced law as a trial lawyer with Friedman and Friedman in Bridgeport, Connecticut. After several years as an advocate, he sought a new approach to resolving disputes through increasing the participation of the parties in the resolution of their differences. At that time, he and his colleague, Jack Himmelstein, began to develop the Understanding-based model that is now practiced extensively in the United States and Europe. As one of the first lawyer mediators and a primary force in the current mediation movement, he has used this model to complete over one thousand mediations in the last two decades He has mediated numerous two-party and multi-party disputes in the commercial and non-profit realms, in the area of intellectual property, real estate, corporate, personnel, partnership formations and dissolutions, and family law.
Costs
The program training fee is $1,485 plus a fee for the facility, lodging, and meals as follows:

Private room at Green Gulch: $825, for a total of $2,310
Shared double room at Green Gulch: $675, for a total of $2,160
Commuter for those not staying at Green Gulch: $325, for a total of $1,810

Please note that the bathrooms are shared at Green Gulch. You can find more details about accommodation at Green Gulch by clicking here.
A deposit of $500.00 is necessary to secure registration.
COVID-19 Protocols
Green Gulch requires:

A negative rapid antigen test within 24 hours of arrival
A second rapid test upon arrival (bring your own)
Masks are optional

Protocols may change; participants will be notified of updates.
Cancellation Policy

Cancel 4 or more weeks before: Refund minus $250 fee
Cancel 2 – 4 weeks before: 50% refund unless your spot is filled
Less than 2 weeks: No refund unless we find a replacement

Continuing Legal Education
California
The Center for Understanding in Conflict is an accredited provider of California Continuing Legal Education by the State Bar of California. The Working Creatively with Conflict Training – appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys – will qualify for 32 participatory and 8 self-study CA MCLE credit hours.
New York
In New York, The Mediation Intensive Training will fulfill 40 NY CLE credit hours (6.5 Ethics credits; 19.5 Professional Practice credits; and 14 Skills credits). For continuing legal education purposes, the Mediation Intensive Training is appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys.
Photo and Video Notice
Photos or videos may be taken for promotional use. If you prefer not to appear in any media, just let us know – we will fully honor your request.
Additional Notes
Registrations received fewer than 72 hours before the program will be accepted at the discretion of the training team due to role-play and logistics needs.
For questions, contact us at admin@understandinginconflict.org

**Please select desired ticket and quantity using the +/- feature before clicking ‘Get Tickets.’

From Conflict to Collaboration: Workplace Mediation Lessons That Apply Everywhere
2025-10-14 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Discover the nuanced skills that separate effective mediators from the rest, using workplace conflicts as a lens to explore universal mediation principles.
This interactive webinar delves into challenging aspects of conflict resolution—including proven methods for restoring trust between parties, techniques for engaging unmotivated or resistant participants, and best practices for creating written agreements that actually stick. While focused on organizational settings, these strategies are directly transferable to family mediation, community disputes, commercial conflicts, and beyond. Whether you’re new to mediation or looking to refine your practice across multiple contexts, you’ll leave with actionable strategies for transforming any type of conflict into opportunities for stronger relationships.
Pat Lau has been a workplace mediator at Intel Corporation from 2010 to 2024. After his first conflict management class many years ago, Pat became fascinated with alternative ways to address and resolve workplace conflict, especially after discovering the understanding-based model. In 2013, he co-founded and for over ten years led Intel’s Collaborative Mediation Program. This in-house workplace mediation program helped resolve challenging conflicts among co-workers, peer managers, team members, supervisors, and subordinates.
Julia Myers is a highly experienced Employee Relations professional with over 30 years in the field. For the past 12 years, she has specialized as a workplace mediator, dedicated to fostering positive resolutions in complex environments. Julia currently serves as a Principal People Relations Manager at Genentech, a leading biotechnology company. Outside of her professional life, Julia enjoys the beautiful surroundings of Tahoe, where she lives, and cherishes time with her two grown children and two grandchildren.

Series - Navigating Difficult Conversations
2025-10-09 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Conflict is part of life – but navigating it well requires more than instinct. This two-part online course gives you practical skills and a supportive structure to face conflict with intention, clarity, and empathy. You’ll learn how to prepare for, invite, and engage in challenging conversations that build understanding, even when stakes are high. This course is focused on conversations in which you are one of the parties in conflict although the concepts and tools are applicable to all conflict-laden conversations.
Course Overview
Through short lectures, guided reflections, group dialogue, and real-life role play, you’ll gain practical tools and insights to approach conflict differently. You’ll also explore your own reactions to conflict, work with allies, and practice core communication techniques like looping and checking for understanding.
The course is grounded in the Understanding-Based approach and structured around three essential areas:

Preparing Yourself: Clarify your motivations and what’s at stake for you. Understand when a conversation may – or may not – be productive.
Inviting and Structuring the Conversation: Learn how to invite others into a dialogue in a way that increases the chances of connection. Set clear agreements to create a safe and intentional space.
Engaging in the Conversation: Practice staying grounded and responsive, even in the heat of conflict. Explore how to listen deeply, express your own truth, and work toward outcomes that reflect what matters most to all involved.

Who Should Attend
This course is designed for anyone who wants to handle conflict more constructively – in personal, professional, or community settings. Whether you’re navigating a challenging work relationship, looking for a way to shift communication patterns in a community group or family or simply wanting to show up differently in difficult conversations, this training offers insight and practical tools to help you do so with more confidence and clarity.
What You’ll Gain

A clear process for approaching difficult conversations
Insight into your own patterns and motivations in conflict
Practical experience inviting and engaging others in dialogue
Tools to foster mutual understanding and make meaningful progress

Pre-Course Reflection
You’ll be asked to bring a real-life situation involving one of their own conflicts to explore during the course.
Program Schedule

Dates: October 9 and 23, 2025
Time: 12 – 2 PM PT / 3 – 5:00 PM ET
Format: Online via Zoom
Cost: $250 for the full series

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations within 30 days will incur a $250 admin fee. Within 2 weeks, 50% of the fee will be retained (half applicable to a future course). No refunds within 1 week of the course start unless a replacement participant is found. No refunds after the series begins.
Please note: Trainer availability may change without notice.
Trainers
Armine Baltazar is a mediator and a collaborative attorney in Los Angeles. After over 20 years of practicing in the litigation arena, Armine finds it deeply fulfilling to help couples find a non-litigated way through divorce. She co-founded HEALTHY Divorce, a Los Angeles Superior Court pilot project that links lower-income divorcing couples with support services such as legal, parenting, mental health, and housing. She is also a member of CUC’s Programs Committee and is the Chair of Virtual Divorce California’s Diversity Committee.
Sethu Laxmi Nair is a mediator, facilitator, coach, and trainer in the fields of alternative dispute resolution and restorative practices. Currently, she serves as the Director of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Restorative Practices at the Center for Creative Conflict Resolution, an innovative public service group that offers a blend of conflict resolution, training, and systems design options within and across the New York City government. Through her private practice, Sethu consults with nonprofit organizations and businesses, offering a unique blend of leadership coaching, mediation, and group conflict management.

Mediation Lab: From Training to Practice
2025-10-03 08:00 - 2025-10-04 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Are you a trained mediator ready to move from theory to real-time practice? Mediation Lab is an immersive, skills-focused online training designed for mediators who have completed foundational coursework and are ready to go deeper.
In this dynamic workshop, you’ll follow one continuous mediation case from intake to resolution. At every stage, our experienced instructors will guide you through the evolving process, demonstrating key techniques and then coaching you as you step into structured role plays using the same case. This “learn by doing” approach helps you build fluency and confidence while strengthening your ability to navigate the real-world dynamics of conflict.
What You’ll Experience
Each segment includes:

Brief, focused teachings on essential tools and stage-specific challenges
Live demonstrations by seasoned mediator-instructors
Structured role play with real-time feedback
Facilitated group discussion and coaching

By working through a single case from beginning to end, you’ll gain a holistic understanding of the mediation arc – learning to adjust your approach as new information and dynamics emerge. This format offers the practice time many mediators say they’ve been missing after basic training.
Who This is For
This program was created in response to feedback from experienced practitioners and past participants in our foundational programs. Many expressed the need for a space to apply their learning more deeply, with time to work a case from intake through agreement – an opportunity to integrate the Understanding-Based model into their own voice and practice.
Learning Objectives

Conduct a full mediation using the Understanding-Based approach, from intake through closure
Apply strategies that match the stage of the mediation and support party ownership
Reflect on your own practice, using feedback and coaching to identify growth areas

Program Fee
The cost for the full two days is $550
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credit
The Center for Understanding in Conflict is an accredited provider of California MCLE. Participants will earn 13 participatory MCLE credit hours upon completion.
In New York, The Mediation Lab will fulfill 13 NY CLE credit hours (13 Skills credits). For continuing legal education purposes, the Mediation Lab is appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys.
About the Trainers
Catherine Conner has been a mediation and collaborative practice trainer since 2004. She is a frequent presenter at collaborative conferences and family law workshops. She authored Collaborative Practice Materials with Steven Neustadter and Margaret Anderson. Catherine Conner’s private practice focuses on family law alternate dispute resolution, including mediation, collaborative practice, and private judging. She graduated from the UC Berkeley School of Law in 1982 and is a founding partner of Conner, Lawrence, Rodney, Olhiser & Barrett, LLP. She has been honored as the recipient of the Rex Sater Award for Excellence in Family Law, the Eureka award by Collaborative Practice California and was the 2018 honoree for Careers of Distinction. She was on the Board of Directors of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals from 2007-2014 and served as the President in 2013.
Michelle Exline Minovi is a highly skilled divorce and family mediator with 12+ years family law experience. As Managing Attorney at the legal services non-profit Ayuda in Washington, D.C., Michelle represented low-income and Spanish-speaking immigrant clients in complex matrimonial cases in the context of domestic violence. After moving to Brooklyn, Michelle litigated and won sole custody on behalf of a mother of two children who was forced to leave the ultra-orthodox community because she identified as queer. After three years of intense litigation, Michelle wondered if there was an alternative way to divorce. Michelle knew she had to pivot from litigation to mediation when she took her first mediation training at the Center for Understanding Conflict.
Melanie Rowen is a mediator and conflict coach who believes in the power of understanding-based conflict resolution to transform our world. She frequently trains individuals and groups on effective communication in conflict situations and on creating inclusive environments, particularly around gender, sexual orientation, and disability. Melanie previously litigated civil rights cases, including marriage equality, employment discrimination, issues involving transgender and gender non-conforming youth and their families, and issues facing LGBTQ+ elders, at the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and served on the Board of Directors of the Transgender Law Center. Earlier in her career, she worked in business litigation at Latham & Watkins LLP, and for many years, she was the Associate Director for Public Interest Programs at UC Berkeley School of Law. Melanie currently works in attorney professional development at the Bay Area offices of a large law firm, and is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association for Law Placement.

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

**Please select desired ticket and quantity using the +/- feature before clicking ‘Get Tickets.’

From Conflict to Collaboration: Workplace Mediation Lessons That Apply Everywhere
2025-09-30 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join Pat Lau and guest Julia Myers to discover the nuanced skills that separate effective mediators from the rest, using workplace conflicts as a lens to explore universal mediation principles.

This interactive webinar delves into challenging aspects of conflict resolution—including proven methods for restoring trust between parties, techniques for engaging unmotivated or resistant participants, and best practices for creating written agreements that actually stick. While focused on organizational settings, these strategies are directly transferable to family mediation, community disputes, commercial conflicts, and beyond. Whether you’re new to mediation or looking to refine your practice across multiple contexts, you’ll leave with actionable strategies for transforming any type of conflict into opportunities for stronger relationships.

Working with Lawyers in the Room: Part 2 (2025)
2025-09-25 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
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 in understanding the law and its consequences. Drawing from the Center for Understanding in Conflict’s model, attendees will learn how to foster genuine dialogue and understanding within the complex attorney-client-mediator triangle.
Key topics also include:

Recognizing and working with the tension between positional advocacy and interest-based dialogue
Facilitating communication that allows clients to be heard while respecting attorney-client relationships
Managing moments when legal strategy conflicts with relational healing or creative problem-solving

Whether you’re an experienced mediator seeking to refine your approach or new to mediations with participating lawyers, this session will provide practical tools and insights for navigating these complex but rewarding mediations. Participants will leave with concrete strategies for fostering understanding even when the room includes zealous advocates.
If you did not attend Part 1, click here for information about viewing it.

Introduction to Understanding Workplace Conflict (SHRM and HRCI Credit)
2025-09-12 09:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Conflict at work is inevitable – but it doesn’t have to be insurmountable. This 4.5-hour live interactive training introduces the core principles and practical tools of the Understanding-based approach to resolving workplace conflict. Whether you’re an HR leader, manager, consultant, attorney, or team member, this workshop provides a meaningful starting point for navigating challenging dynamics and building stronger professional relationships.
Why This Training
Workplace conflict often stems not from what is said, but from what goes unspoken. This training helps participants move beyond surface-level fixes and into the heart of what drives conflict. You’ll learn to slow down, understand what’s really happening – for yourself and others – and engage more effectively with the people and systems around you.
What You’ll Learn

How to build trust and connection in the face of disagreement
Ways to address early-stage conflict before it escalates
Techniques to de-escalate tense situations with clarity and compassion
A deeper understanding of how personal awareness shapes professional communication
Real-world practice through role plays, reflection, and group exercises

Who Should Attend
This training is designed for professionals at all levels who are ready to engage workplace conflict in a more effective and human-centered way. Whether you’re in leadership, support, or team-based roles, this course delivers practical value you can apply immediately and build on over time.
HR professionals, managers and team leads will gain frameworks to handle complex interpersonal dynamics and leave with new tools to address tension early, reduce misunderstandings, and shift from managing conflict to facilitating resolution. Outcomes include stronger team cohesion, greater morale, and fewer disruptions to productivity.
Consultants and executive coaches will deepen their ability to support clients and colleagues in navigating high-stakes conversations. The Understanding-based model offers a durable alternative to adversarial approaches, with strong relevance for internal workplace matters.
Employees and cross-functional team members will gain confidence and clarity in how to address issues directly and constructively, even without formal authority. This empowers healthier work cultures and more resilient communication.
Why it Matters
Organizations lose time, money, and talent when conflict is mismanaged or ignored. This training delivers a strong return on investment by helping participants:

Reduce time spent on repeated, unresolved conflicts
Increase engagement and trust among coworkers
Retain high-performing staff through better communication
Build a more responsive and humane workplace culture

Participants consistently tell us this training transforms how they see and handle conflict – not just at work, but in every part of life. It is a powerful foundation for anyone seeking to make conflict less costly and more meaningful.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

Identify and apply the six core principles of the Understanding-based approach
Use specific techniques to address emerging and high-tension workplace conflicts
Recognize different conflict styles and adapt strategies for collaboration
Begin integrating personal awareness into conflict resolution practices

Format & Details
Date & Time: September 12, 2025, 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM Pacific Time (includes two 15-minute breaks)
12:00PM – 4:30PM Eastern Time
Location: Live Online (Zoom)
Cost: $250
CE Credits: 4 hours SHRM & HRCI
No prerequisites required
This course is a prerequisite for the Fundamentals of Understanding Workplace Conflict (SHRM and HRCI Credit) training.
*Note: Both the 4-hour Introductory course and 14-hour course may be booked together. Select the ticket “BOTH PROGRAMS – 4 and 14-hour” ticket to register for both programs with a 15% discount.
Cancellation Policy
This training is not refundable, though a credit may be applied to a future program if transferred 30 days in advance of program start.
SHRM and HRCI Certification
The Center for Understanding in Conflict is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDC) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

This Program has been pre-approved for 4 recertification continuing education credit hours toward aPHR®, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™, and SPHRi™ recertification through HRCI.
About the Center
The Center for Understanding in Conflict pioneered understanding-based mediation and is one of the first and only nonprofit conflict resolution training organizations worldwide.
Since 1982, the Center has trained more than 10,000 professionals worldwide, including leaders from the Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation, Intel Corporation, Roche, SAP and the World Intellectual Property Organization. Our approach is rooted in real-world practice, human connection, and the belief that conflict can be a doorway to transformation.
Trainers
Helen Chen is a mediator, trainer, and conflict coach with deep expertise in workplace conflict. A former employment attorney at Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, she represented workers in areas ranging from retaliation to occupational safety. She later trained both employers and employees across sectors through the Labor Occupational Health Program at UC Berkeley. Today, Helen supports organizations through mediation and conflict coaching, with a focus on improving work relationships and conditions. She is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and trained in mediation by the Center for Understanding in Conflict and others.

Catherine Conner has trained mediators and collaborative professionals since 2004, bringing decades of real-world experience in conflict resolution. Her private practice focuses on family law mediation and collaborative practice, and she brings her strong background in alternate dispute resolution into the workplace setting. She is a founding partner at her law firm and has been recognized nationally for her excellence in the field. Catherine’s extensive experience in building bridges between conflicting parties informs her dynamic, practical teaching style.

Pat Lau served as a workplace mediator at Intel Corporation for 14 years, where he co-founded and led the company’s internal Collaborative Mediation Program. Under his guidance, this initiative helped resolve complex conflicts between coworkers, managers, and teams. Pat is a nationally recognized trainer and presenter on workplace conflict, with published work in the Corporate Mediation Journal and Managing Conflict (2nd ed.). He brings a systems-minded approach to mediation from his prior engineering career and is committed to helping professionals understand and shift conflict dynamics from the inside out.

Additional Notes
Registrations received fewer than 72 hours before the program will be accepted at the discretion of the training team due to role-play and logistics needs.
For questions, contact us at admin@understandinginconflict.org

**Please select desired ticket and quantity using the +/- feature before clicking ‘Get Tickets.’

Working with Lawyers in the Room (2025)
2025-08-19 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom webinar
Join Katherine Miller and Michelle Exline Minovi for an essential exploration of mediation when attorneys are present alongside their clients. This engaging webinar addresses the unique dynamics, challenges, and opportunities that arise in lawyer-accompanied mediations.
Drawing from the Center for Understanding in Conflict’s model, attendees will learn how to foster genuine dialogue and understanding even within the complex attorney-client-mediator triangle. Our approach can allay fears of some mediators that lawyers will wrest control over the process and turn a mediation into a confrontation. We’ll examine how to maintain focus on underlying needs and interests while respecting legal counsel’s protective role, and explore techniques for creating space where all voices – clients and attorneys alike – can contribute meaningfully to resolution.
Key topics include:

Establishing ground rules and expectations that honor both legal advocacy and collaborative problem-solving
Recognizing and working with the tension between positional advocacy and interest-based dialogue
Facilitating communication that allows clients to be heard while respecting attorney-client relationships
Managing moments when legal strategy conflicts with relational healing or creative problem-solving

Whether you’re an experienced mediator seeking to refine your approach or new to mediations with participating lawyers, this session will provide practical tools and insights for navigating these complex but rewarding mediations. Participants will leave with concrete strategies for fostering understanding even when the room includes zealous advocates.

Free Virtual CUC Meet and Greet
2025-07-31 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Are you interested in conflict resolution, mediation, or understanding different perspectives? We invite you to join the Center for Understanding in Conflict (CUC) Meet and Greet, a unique opportunity to engage with a community of like-minded individuals. This event, held twice a year, is a free, 90-minute forum open to everyone, providing a welcoming space to discuss any topic you wish to bring to the table.
The CUC Meet and Greet is facilitated by two experienced teachers passionate about the understanding-based conflict resolution model. One key benefit of attending this event is the opportunity to discuss any topic of interest or concern. The open format allows participants to steer the conversation in directions that are most relevant to them, making each meet-and-greet a unique and dynamic experience. Whether you have questions about specific conflict scenarios, want to discuss theoretical aspects of the understanding-based model, or are curious about the Center’s programs and resources, this is the perfect platform to voice your thoughts and gain valuable insights.
By interacting with the facilitators and other participants, you can form connections leading to future collaborations, mentorship opportunities, or enriching discussions. The next Meet and Greet is just around the corner, and we would love to see you there. Whether you want to deepen your knowledge, share your experiences, or listen and learn, the CUC Meet and Greet offers a welcoming and stimulating environment.
Together, we can continue to build a community that values understanding and collaboration in resolving conflicts. We look forward to seeing you at the CUC Meet and Greet!
REGISTRATION LINK: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/QqlfWUHFTFCVQIv42Gxnig

When Progress Stops: Navigating Impasse in Conflict Resolution
2025-07-24 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Every conflict resolution professional has been there – the moment when progress grinds to a halt and parties seem hopelessly deadlocked. In this interactive 1-hour webinar, you’ll discover why impasse occurs and learn practical strategies to transform these challenging moments into opportunities for breakthrough.
What You’ll Explore:

The anatomy of impasse: recognizing the warning signs and underlying dynamics that create deadlock
Root causes beyond the obvious—from unspoken fears to identity threats and power imbalances
A toolkit of proven strategies to restart momentum and re-engage stuck parties
When to lean in, when to step back, and how to reframe the conversation
Live demonstration of a key technique in action, showing real-world application

Who Should Attend:
Mediators, conflict professionals, HR professionals, managers, ombudspeople, and anyone involved in formal or informal conflict resolution processes who wants to build confidence in handling their most challenging cases.
Whether you’re new to conflict resolution or a seasoned practitioner, you’ll gain fresh perspectives and practical tools to help parties move from “we’ll never agree” to meaningful resolution.

16-Hour Advanced Matrimonial Mediation Training (East Coast)
2025-06-26 | Highlights Foundation Retreat Center, 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA, 18443
To register, scroll to the bottom of this page.
June 26 – 28, 2025
Milanville, PA
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Join the Center for Understanding in Conflict for a comprehensive 16-hour Advanced Matrimonial Mediation Training.
Our trainers have designed this program to benefit those who wish to apply to become mediators on matrimonial mediation rosters in New York courts. However, it is appropriate and applicable for professionals of all disciplines, including jurists, lawyers, collaborative professionals, business consultants, executive coaches, managers and supervisors, human resources professionals, ombuds-people, non-profit staff, and other people whose work will be enhanced by increased skills in conflict resolution.

Core Concepts
This highly engaging program will:

Teach participants relevant New York State matrimonial and family law.
Teach advanced skills helpful to mediate divorces and family cases effectively rooted in the understanding-based model.
Qualifies as an advanced mediation course approved under Part 146.4(b)(2) of the Rules of the Chief Administrative Judge of New York State.
Provide 16 hours of NYS CLE credits.
Can be combined with the 24-hour Basic Mediation Training Course to receive a 40-hour completion certificate.

What is the Format of this Training?
Participants will learn matrimonial law through discussions and advanced mediation skills through role-plays and interactive exercises. This hands-on, in-person training also trains the core skills of the Understanding Based Approach, through lively demonstrations and role-plays, all of which immerse participants in the learning. Realistic simulations, in which participants work through mediations with coaching from our teachers, offer participants the chance to hone their skills and experience the emotional challenges faced by parties in dispute. Participants describe these different modes of learning and their interplay as engaging and rewarding.
Logistics
The training begins on the afternoon of Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 3:00 pm through 8:00 pm. On Friday, the sessions run 9:00 am through 8:00 pm, with ample breaks for meals and rest. The program ends on Saturday, June 28, 2025, with a session from 9:00am – 1:00pm. All participants will enjoy delicious meals during the sessions from Thursday through Saturday.

Which topics will be covered?

Harnessing the power of understanding to assist the parties in reaching fuller and more satisfying agreements.
Practicing advanced mediation techniques to address challenging family dynamics.
Teaching the laws on child support, maintenance, equitable distribution of marital assets/debts, and parenting (custody/visitation, decision-making authority).
Learning to navigate the role of law and lawyers in divorce mediation.

Who Can Participate?
This advanced training is open to those who have completed prior mediation training. If you are still determining whether your training meets this requirement, please get in touch with admin@understandinginconflict.org
Venue

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

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 $900 plus a fee for the facility, lodging, and meals as follows. Note that all rooms contain a private bathroom.
Private room: $545 for a total of $1,445.
Shared double room: $345 for a total of $1,245.
Commuter for those not staying at Highlights: $295, for a total of $1,195.

*Those who have taken the 24-hour Basic Mediation course in June 2025 are also eligible to receive a 10% training fee discount. Please contact admin@understandinginconflict.org if this applies to you.
** The maximum discount available from all sources is 10% of the training fee.
***Financial aid may be available for training fees. Please contact us at admin@understandinginconflict.org for details or for any questions regarding logistics.

Who Are the Trainers?*

Michelle Exline Minovi is a highly skilled divorce and family mediator with 12+ years family law experience. As Managing Attorney at the legal services non-profit Ayuda in Washington, D.C., Michelle represented low-income and Spanish-speaking immigrant clients in complex matrimonial cases in the context of domestic violence. After moving to Brooklyn, Michelle litigated and won sole custody on behalf of a mother of two children who was forced to leave the ultra-orthodox community because she identified as queer. After three years of intense litigation, Michelle wondered if there was an alternative way to divorce. Michelle knew she had to pivot from litigation to mediation when she took her first mediation training at the Center for Understanding Conflict.
Joy S. Rosenthal, Esq. has been mediating divorce and practicing collaborative law since she started Rosenthal Law & Mediation in 2006. Before going out on her own, Joy represented children in foster care and in delinquency (criminal) proceedings. Joy taught family law at the City University of New York School of Law for several years, and developed an online course called Landing On Your Feet – A Compassionate Lawyer’s Guide to Divorce for people who are going through divorce and separation. The child support calculator on Joy’s website is used by lawyers and court staff throughout New York State. She is thrilled to be a CUC trainer!
Is there Continuing Education Credit? Is the training Part 146 approved?
New York
In New York, the Advanced Matrimonial Mediation Training will fulfill 16 NY CLE credit hours. For continuing legal education purposes, the Advanced Matrimonial Mediation Training is appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys. 15 CLE credits are in skills and areas of professional practice and 1 CLE credit is in ethics.
This in-person training has been approved as a 16H Advanced Matrimonial Mediation Training under Part 146 of the New York State Unified Court System’s Office of ADR Programs. (Please note that final placement on any court roster is at the discretion of the local Administrative Judge and participation in a course that is either approved or pending approval does not guarantee placement on a local court roster.)
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 admin@understandinginconflict.org or call us at (844) 242-3428.
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[1] Final placement on any court roster is at the discretion of the local Administrative Judge and participation in a course that is approved does not guarantee placement on a local court roster. Pursuant to Part 146, court-based mediation rosters require both a combination of mediation training and experience mediating. Acceptance on court rosters depends on a court’s need for mediators at any given time and may include a court’s need for mediators with specific case-type training or experience and mediation experience.
*Please note that trainers are subject to availability and may change prior to program start without notice.

*Please select desired ticket OR deposit for ticket and quantity using the +/- feature before clicking ‘Get Tickets.’

Working Creatively with Conflict: 40-Hour Conflict Resolution and Matrimonial Mediation Training (East Coast)
2025-06-23 | Highlights Foundation Retreat Center, 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA, 18443
To register, scroll to the bottom of this page.
June 23 – 28, 2025
Milanville, PA
_______________
Join the Center for Understanding in Conflict for a comprehensive 40-hour Basic Mediation Training covering basic theory and skills of understanding-based mediation in a dynamic and engaging learning environment at the beautiful and restorative Highlights Retreat Foundation Barn at Boyd Mills.
This certificate program teaches individuals the basic theories and practical skills needed to help people in conflict with an added emphasis for those wishing to practice matrimonial conflict resolution and mediation. Participants will learn to deescalate unproductive arguments and conflict dynamics and guide parties and lawyers involved toward positive discussions and effective decision-making. The training also covers how law and lawyers play a part in mediation, preparing participants to mediate conflicts in various settings including private contexts, court-referred cases, and community disputes.
Upon completing this 40h Mediation Intensive Training, participants will have completed the requirements for a 24h Basic Mediation Training under Part 146 of the NYS Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts (“Part 146”) and the requirements for a 16-hour Advanced Matrimonial Mediation Training under Part 146.
Our trainers have designed this program to benefit those who wish to apply to be mediators on NYS court rosters. However, it is appropriate and applicable for professionals of all disciplines, including jurists, lawyers, collaborative professionals, business consultants, executive coaches, managers and supervisors, human resources professionals, ombuds-people, non-profit staff, and other people whose work will be enhanced by increased skills in conflict resolution.

Core Concepts
In this 40-hour program, adapted from our gold standard mediation training, you will learn how to support parties working through conflict or engaging in other important conversations in a different way. Our Understanding-Based model focuses on guiding parties to make knowing and informed choices together in a respectful manner. Highlights include:

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 the parties to make effective and lasting decisions together now and in the future.
Teach participants relevant New York State matrimonial and family law.
Teach advanced skills helpful to mediate divorces and family cases effectively rooted in the understanding-based model.
Qualifies as an advanced mediation course approved under Part 146.4(b)(2) of the Rules of the Chief Administrative Judge of New York State.
Provide 41 hours of NYS CLE credits.

What is the Format of this Training?
Participants will learn matrimonial law and the core skills of the Understanding Based Approach, through lively demonstrations and role-plays, all of which immerse participants in the learning. Realistic simulations, in which participants work through mediations with coaching from our teachers, offer participants the chance to hone their skills and experience the emotional challenges faced by parties in dispute. Participants describe these different modes of learning and their interplay as engaging and rewarding.
Logistics
The training begins on the afternoon of Monday, June 23, 2025, at 3:00 pm through 8:00 pm. Tuesday thru Friday, the sessions run 9:00 am through 8:00 pm, with ample breaks for meals and rest. The program ends on Saturday, June 28, 2025, with a session from 9:00am – 12:00pm. All participants will enjoy delicious meals during all sessions.

Who Can Participate?
This basic training is open to anyone whose work involves conflict and will be particularly interesting to lawyers who wish to apply to be on the mediator court rosters for divorce and family work.
Venue

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

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 $1890 plus a fee for the facility, lodging, and meals as follows. Note that all rooms contain a private bathroom.
Private room: $1340 for a total of $3,230.
Shared double room: $940 for a total of $2,830.
Commuter for those not staying at Highlights: $840, for a total of $2,730.

*Financial aid may be available for training fees. Please contact us at admin@understandinginconflict.org 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 decade. She was a NYLAG attorney representing survivors of domestic for before that. She has taught mediation to NYS court staff and to NY legal services attorneys. She also mediates divorces and family cases for the NYS courts. Antoinette was president of the Family and Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York from 2014 to 2016. 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 in Westchester County, NY. She has been practicing family law since 1987, first as a litigator and now exclusively outside the court system. She has taught family law at the White Institute and NYU as well as with the Center and lectures regularly on mediation and collaborative practice. She is a Board member of the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals.
Michelle Exline Minovi is a highly skilled divorce and family mediator with 12+ years family law experience. As Managing Attorney at the legal services non-profit Ayuda in Washington, D.C., Michelle represented low-income and Spanish-speaking immigrant clients in complex matrimonial cases in the context of domestic violence. After moving to Brooklyn, Michelle litigated and won sole custody on behalf of a mother of two children who was forced to leave the ultra-orthodox community because she identified as queer. After three years of intense litigation, Michelle wondered if there was an alternative way to divorce. Michelle knew she had to pivot from litigation to mediation when she took her first mediation training at the Center for Understanding Conflict.
Joy S. Rosenthal, Esq. has been mediating divorce and practicing collaborative law since she started Rosenthal Law & Mediation in 2006. Before going out on her own, Joy represented children in foster care and in delinquency (criminal) proceedings. Joy taught family law at the City University of New York School of Law for several years, and developed an online course called Landing On Your Feet – A Compassionate Lawyer’s Guide to Divorce for people who are going through divorce and separation. The child support calculator on Joy’s website is used by lawyers and court staff throughout New York State. She is thrilled to be a CUC trainer!
Is there Continuing Education Credit? Is the training Part 146 approved?

New York
In New York, the Mediation Intensive Training will fulfill 41 NY CLE credit hours (1 Diversity Inclusion and Elimination of Bias credit; 4 Ethics credits; 36 Professional Practice and Skills credits). For continuing legal education purposes, the Mediation Intensive Training is appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys.
This in-person Mediation Intensive Training has been approved as a 24H Basic Mediation Training and as a 16H Advanced Matrimonial Training under Part 146 of the New York State Unified Court System’s Office of ADR Programs. (Please note that final placement on any court roster is at the discretion of the local Administrative Judge and participation in a course that is either approved or pending approval does not guarantee placement on a local court roster.)
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 admin@understandinginconflict.org or call us at (844) 242-3428.
________________________________________
[1] Final placement on any court roster is at the discretion of the local Administrative Judge and participation in a course that is approved does not guarantee placement on a local court roster. Pursuant to Part 146, court-based mediation rosters require both a combination of mediation training and experience mediating. Acceptance on court rosters depends on a court’s need for mediators at any given time and may include a court’s need for mediators with specific case-type training or experience and mediation experience.
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 admin@understandinginconflict.org.
*Please note that trainers are subject to availability and may change prior to program start without notice.

*Please select desired ticket and quantity using the +/- feature before clicking ‘Get Tickets.’

24-Hour Basic Mediation Training (East Coast)
2025-06-23 | Highlights Foundation Retreat Center, 392 Boyds Mills Road, Milanville, PA, 18443
To register, scroll to the bottom of this page.
June 23 – 26, 2025
Milanville, PA
_______________
Join the Center for Understanding in Conflict for a comprehensive 24-hour Basic Mediation Training covering basic theory and skills of understanding-based mediation in a dynamic and engaging learning environment.
This certificate program teaches individuals the basic theories and practical skills needed to help people in conflict. Participants will learn to deescalate unproductive arguments and conflict dynamics and guide parties and lawyers involved toward positive discussions and effective decision-making. The training also covers how law and lawyers play a part in mediation, preparing participants to mediate conflicts in various settings including private contexts, court-referred cases, and community disputes.
Upon completing this training, participants will have completed the requirements for a Basic Mediation Training of Part 146 of the NYS Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts (“Part 146”) and be eligible any part 146 advanced mediation training, including the 16-hour Advanced Matrimonial Mediation Training course of June 26-28, 2025. Together these two programs qualify participants for both a Part 146 Basic and Advanced Matrimonial trainings.
Our trainers have designed this program to benefit those who wish to apply to be mediators on NYS court rosters. However, it is appropriate and applicable for professionals of all disciplines, including jurists, lawyers, collaborative professionals, business consultants, executive coaches, managers and supervisors, human resources professionals, ombuds-people, non-profit staff, and other people whose work will be enhanced by increased skills in conflict resolution.

Core Concepts
In this 24-hour program, adapted from our gold standard mediation training, you will learn how to support parties working through conflict or engaging in other important conversations in a different way. Our Understanding-Based model focuses on guiding parties to make knowing and informed choices together in a respectful manner. Highlights include:

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 the parties to make effective and lasting decisions together now and in the future.

What is the Format of this Training?
This hands-on in person training features 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. Participants describe these different modes of learning and their interplay as enjoyable as they are engaging and rewarding.
Logistics
The training begins on the afternoon of Monday, June 23, 2025, at 3:00 pm through 8:00 pm. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the sessions run 9:00 am through 8:00 pm, with ample breaks for meals and rest. The program ends on Thursday, June 26, 2025, with a session from 9:00am – 12:00pm. All participants will enjoy delicious meals during the sessions from Monday through Thursday.

Who Can Participate?
This basic training is open to anyone whose work involves conflict and will be particularly interesting to lawyers who wish to apply to be on the mediator court rosters for divorce and family work.
Venue

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

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 double room: $595 for a total of $1,595.
Commuter for those not staying at Highlights: $295, for a total of $1,495.

*Financial aid may be available for training fees. Please contact us at admin@understandinginconflict.org for details or for any questions regarding logistics.
**Those who register for the 16-hour Advanced Matrimonial Mediation Training course in May, 2024 are also eligible to receive a 10% training fee discount, in addition to a 40-hour Mediation Training Certificate. Please contact admin@understandinginconflict.org if this applies to you.
***The maximum discount available from all sources is 10% of the training fee.

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 decade. She was a NYLAG attorney representing survivors of domestic for before that. She has taught mediation to NYS court staff and to NY legal services attorneys. She also mediates divorces and family cases for the NYS courts. Antoinette was president of the Family and Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York from 2014 to 2016. 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 in Westchester County, NY. She has been practicing family law since 1987, first as a litigator and now exclusively outside the court system. She has taught family law at the White Institute and NYU as well as with the Center and lectures regularly on mediation and collaborative practice. She is a Board member of the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals.

Michelle Exline Minovi is a highly skilled divorce and family mediator with 12+ years family law experience. As Managing Attorney at the legal services non-profit Ayuda in Washington, D.C., Michelle represented low-income and Spanish-speaking immigrant clients in complex matrimonial cases in the context of domestic violence. After moving to Brooklyn, Michelle litigated and won sole custody on behalf of a mother of two children who was forced to leave the ultra-orthodox community because she identified as queer. After three years of intense litigation, Michelle wondered if there was an alternative way to divorce. Michelle knew she had to pivot from litigation to mediation when she took her first mediation training at the Center for Understanding Conflict.
Is there Continuing Education Credit? Is the training Part 146 approved?

New York
Attending the Basic Mediation Training will provide attorneys with 25 NY CLE credit hours (1 Diversity Inclusion and Elimination of Bias credit; 3 Ethics credits; 11 Professional Practice credits; and 10 Skills credits). For continuing legal education purposes, the Basic Mediation Training is appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys.
Also, the Basic Mediation Training is approved by the NYS Unified Court System as meeting the Part 146 requirements for 24h Basic (also called Initial) Mediation Training, required by the courts to apply to become a mediator on a court roster. * It enables the participants to attend any 16H advanced training under Part 146, including the Advanced Matrimonial Mediation Training given by the Center for Understanding in Conflict immediately after, from June 26 to June 28, 2025. (Please note that final placement on any court roster is at the discretion of the local Administrative Judge and participation in a course that is either approved or pending approval does not guarantee placement on a local court roster.)
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 admin@understandinginconflict.org or call us at (844) 242-3428.
________________________________________
[1] Final placement on any court roster is at the discretion of the local Administrative Judge and participation in a course that is approved does not guarantee placement on a local court roster. Pursuant to Part 146, court-based mediation rosters require both a combination of mediation training and experience mediating. Acceptance on court rosters depends on a court’s need for mediators at any given time and may include a court’s need for mediators with specific case-type training or experience and mediation experience.
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 admin@understandinginconflict.org.
*Please note that trainers are subject to availability and may change prior to program start without notice.

*Please select desired ticket and quantity using the +/- feature before clicking ‘Get Tickets.’

Beyond the Heat: Practical De-escalation Skills for Work and Life
2025-06-16 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Join us for this interactive 1-hour webinar where you’ll learn proven techniques to navigate tense situations with confidence and skill. Whether you’re a manager dealing with upset employees, a team member caught in workplace conflict, a conflict professional facing agitated parties or someone looking to improve your communication in challenging situations, this session will equip you with practical tools you can use immediately.
What You’ll Learn:

Why traditional approaches often backfire
How to recognize your own internal reactions and work with them
Tools for effective de-escalation
How to adapt your approach based on your role—whether you’re directly involved, observing, or mediating

We will present real-world applications using case studies and demos from the workplace.
Who Should Attend:
Managers, team leaders, HR professionals, conflict professionals, and anyone who wants to build stronger relationships and create more positive outcomes during difficult conversations.
You’ll leave with actionable strategies that are effective not just in your work, but in all areas of your life where clear, calm communication matters most!

Assessing the Ability to Participate in Mediation
2025-05-22 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom webinar
How do we know if a conflict is appropriate for mediation?
And how can mediators support parties to determine if they are able to mediate especially those who may not seem ready or able to fully participate?
Join Katherine Miller and Ivan Alter for an interactive discussion on how conflict professionals can assess—and enhance—parties’ capacity to engage meaningfully in mediation.
We’ll explore:

What “readiness to mediate” really means
Key factors to consider: motivation, accessibility, and available resources
Power imbalances and how they affect participation
The parties’ capacity to take responsibility and engage openly
When alternative processes may be more appropriate
Strategies for helping parties overcome barriers to participation

This conversation will be especially useful for mediators, collaborative professionals, and anyone interested in how to create the right conditions for meaningful, effective conflict resolution.
