The Center for Understanding in Conflict

Your Next Steps: Launching Your Conflict Resolution Mediation Work
2026-05-14 09:00 - 2026-06-25 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Why This Series
Transitioning from “I have training” to “This is part of my real work” can feel unclear and overwhelming. Many people are unsure where to start, how to talk about what they do, or how to build a practice that fits their life and values.
This series focuses on the practical and human sides of that transition. Together we will:

Explore what draws you to consensual dispute resolution now
Connect your internal motivations with realistic professional goals
Look at your current work context and identify concrete next steps
Consider how to bring people in the door in a way that feels authentic and sustainable

The emphasis is on real-world application, honest conversation, and mutual support among participants.
What You Will Learn
Across the three sessions, you will:

Clarify your motivations, values, and vision for doing ADR or mediation work
Identify your strengths, gaps, and barriers in making this shift
Map your current professional situation against what you want next
Design a focused action plan for integrating conflict work into your practice or job
Explore ways to speak about and offer your services that fit who you are
Develop simple strategies for outreach, referrals, and relationship building
Build accountability and support for taking your next steps after the series ends

Between sessions, you will have brief reflective exercises and “homework” to deepen learning and keep momentum.
Who Should Attend
This series is designed for people who:

Have completed at least one conflict resolution, mediation, or ADR training
Are excited about incorporating the Understanding-based Model into their work
Want to add consensual dispute resolution to an existing profession, or start a new practice
Feel unsure how to begin or would benefit from structured guidance and community support

Whether you are a lawyer, mental health professional, coach, consultant, HR professional, ombud, nonprofit staff member, or come from another field, this series will help you move from intention to action.

I took this series because I needed to explore the transition from being a lawyer to conflict work. Your Next Steps taught me that making meaningful human connections is the best way to grow a mediation practice. One of the learners and I connected during breakout sessions in this course, and she sent me a referral six months later.
– Hansa R. Patel, Mediator and Mindfulness Teacher

Topics and Schedule
Session 1 – May 14, 2026: Assessing YourselfWe will look at where you are now, what you are wanting for the future, and what needs to change to move in that direction. You will identify possible internal and external barriers and begin naming your priorities.
Session 2 – June 4, 2026: Assessing Your Situation and Creating a PlanWe will delve into the concrete aspects of your current professional situation and compare them with your desired path. You will explore options, resources, and constraints, and begin crafting a realistic action plan to close the gap.
Session 3 – June 25, 2026: Implementing the PlanWe will focus on putting your plan into motion. This includes how to talk about your work, how to let people know about your new or expanded services, and how to build relationships that can lead to opportunities and referrals. You will leave with clear, next steps.
Format and Details
Dates and TimesMay 14, June 4, and June 25, 20269:00 AM – 11:30 AM Pacific Time12:00 PM – 2:30 PM Eastern Time
LocationLive Online (Zoom)After registration, you will receive a separate email with Zoom connection details prior to the first session. Participants are encouraged to log in ten minutes early to troubleshoot any technical issues.
StructureEach session includes brief presentations, individual reflection, small group exercises, and large group conversation. Short assignments between sessions help you refine and test your evolving plan.
CostThe training fee for the entire three-part series is $350.Participants are expected to attend all three sessions to benefit fully from the experience.
About the Center
The Center for Understanding in Conflict pioneered the Understanding-based approach to 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, including leaders from the Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation, Intel Corporation, Roche, SAP, and the World Intellectual Property Organization. Our approach is grounded in real-world practice, human connection, and the belief that conflict can be a doorway to transformation.

Faculty
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.
Cancellation Policy
Please note our cancellation policy for this series: there are no refunds 30 days before the program begins or after the start of the series. A credit may be applied to a future program if a request to transfer is made in advance of the series start date.
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.

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

Spring '26 - Virtual CUC Community Meet and Greet
2026-06-17 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Are you interested in conflict resolution, mediation, or understanding different perspectives and meeting others in the CUC Community?
REGISTER HERE: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/S97WqiQOSN-yaxbpLuV8pQ
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, 60-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!
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.
Michelle Exline Minovi is a family law attorney and mediator with 14+ years family law experience. Michelle teaches with the Center and co-teaches, with Antoinette Delreulle, at the Brooklyn Law School Mediation Clinic where she mediates small claims cases. She has a mediation practice in Brooklyn, NY with a sliding scale fee structure. She is on the board of the Family and Divorce Mediation Council of greater NY. She is an active member of the statewide ADR Advisory Subcommittee developing a suggested Universal Consent form for NY state.

Advanced Matrimonial Mediation Training (NY CLE and Part 146 Eligible)
2026-06-17 09:00 - 2026-06-26 13:00 (America/New_York) | ONLINE
Advanced Matrimonial Mediation Training
Master the Skills to Transform Divorce Outcomes
June 17, 18, 25 and 26, 2026 (Online)
9:00 am to 1:00 pm Eastern
(Scroll to bottom of page to register)

Transform Your Practice with Advanced Matrimonial Mediation Skills
Join the Center for Understanding in Conflict for an immersive 16-hour training designed specifically for matrimonial attorneys seeking to join New York court mediation rosters—and for any professional who wants to use mediation techniques to help divorcing couples reach better outcomes.
This intensive program goes beyond basic mediation to teach you how to navigate the complex emotional and legal terrain of NYS divorce mediation with confidence and skill. You’ll learn to harness the power of understanding to help parties reach fuller, more satisfying agreements—even in the most challenging cases.

What You’ll Learn
Gain Essential Knowledge of New York Matrimonial Law Basics

NYS child support guidelines and calculations
NYS maintenance (spousal support) guidelines and calculations
Equitable distribution of marital assets and debts
Parenting arrangements: custody, visitation, and decision-making authority
How to skillfully navigate the role of law and lawyers in divorce mediation

Develop Advanced Mediation Skills

Practice the Understanding-Based Approach to unlock deeper, more durable agreements
Develop techniques to address challenging family dynamics with confidence
Learn how to work with attorneys in the room
Handle high-conflict situations and emotional impasses
Guide parties through complex financial and parenting issues
Understand ethical considerations

Gain Court Roster Eligibility
This program is approved under Part 146.4(b)(2) of the Rules of the Chief Administrative Judge of New York State, qualifying you to apply for matrimonial mediation rosters in New York courts.

Provides 16 hours of NYS CLE credits

How You’ll Learn
This isn’t a lecture-based program. You’ll develop real skills through:

Realistic role-plays that immerse you in authentic divorce scenarios
Live demonstrations by expert trainers with years of matrimonial mediation experience
Coached practice sessions where you’ll mediate cases and receive personalized feedback
Interactive exercises that help you navigate the emotional challenges parties face
Collaborative discussions with fellow professionals

Past participants consistently describe this hands-on approach as both engaging and transformative.

Schedule & Logistics
We will meet online from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm (with breaks) Eastern on

Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Thursday June 25, 2026
Friday June 26, 2026

Who Should Attend
This advanced training is designed for professionals who have completed prior mediation training. It is especially relevant for:

Attorneys who want to expand into matrimonial mediation
Attorney mediators seeking to apply for court roster placement
Mental health professionals in family practice
Financial professionals working with divorcing couples
Collaborative practice professionals
Coaches and consultants who want to increase their skills in matrimonial conflict resolution
Anyone whose work involves helping families navigate separation and divorce

Not sure if your prior training qualifies? Contact us at admin@understandinginconflict.org
Who Are the Trainers?
Ivan Alter has practiced law since 1994, but his career took a transformative turn when he discovered the understanding-based model at CUC. After years as a commercial and matrimonial litigator, Ivan realized there was a better way to help families through divorce. Today, he dedicates his practice entirely to mediation and collaborative law, with offices in Westchester County and New York City. An active 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, Ivan is passionate about teaching others the skills that changed his professional life.
Joy S. Rosenthal, Esq. has been mediating divorce and practicing collaborative law since 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.
Cost
Training Fee: $950
*Financial support and group discounts may be available for training fees. Please contact us at admin@understandinginconflict.org for details or for any questions regarding logistics.
Continuing Education & Certification
New York CLE Credits: 16 hours (15 in skills/professional practice, 1 in ethics)
Appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys.
Part 146 Approved: This in-person training is approved as a 16-hour Advanced Matrimonial Mediation Training under Part 146 of the New York State Unified Court System’s Office of ADR Programs.
Note: Final placement on court rosters is at the discretion of local Administrative Judges. Course approval does not guarantee roster placement.
Registration & Cancellation Policy
Cancellations:

4+ weeks prior: Full refund minus $250 administration fee
2-4 weeks prior: 50% refund (or full refund minus $250 if we fill your seat)
Less than 2 weeks: No refund unless we fill your seat

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.’

When It Hits Home: Maintaining Presence and Managing Reactivity in Conflict
2026-06-26 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
All conflict professionals have a history and sometimes a conflict walks through the door that touches us directly. Whether it echoes a personal loss, a family pattern, or a deeply held value, these moments test our ability to stay grounded and genuinely present.
In this webinar, Misha Safran and Cassandra Waterman explore what happens internally when conflict activates emotions from our own experience. They will offer practical tools for recognizing, managing, and working skillfully with reactivity so it informs rather than hijacks your practice.
Part 1 of The Conflict Professional’s Inner Compass webinar series
*Financial support and group discounts may be available for training fees. Please contact us at admin@understandinginconflict.org for details or for any questions regarding logistics.

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

Below the Surface: Reading the Unspoken in Conflict
2026-07-23 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
In conflict, the most important information is often the least spoken: A crossed arm, a long silence, a sudden withdrawal. While these can be perceived as obstacles, they can actually be the key to the conflict resolution process.
In this webinar, Sethu Laxmi Nair and Misha Safran guide practitioners through the art of “reading” what lies beneath the surface: nonverbal cues, patterns of silence, and emotional retreat. Participants will leave with sharper observational skills and a concrete repertoire of responses that meet people where they actually are, not just where their words suggest.
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.
Misha Safran is a trilingual mediator, keynote speaker, and educator with over 30 years of experience spanning middle school, high school, and university settings. As the founder of the Center for Empathy and Emotional Intelligence (CEEQ), she specializes in transforming conflict into opportunities for connection and collaboration. Misha holds a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and is a trained educator in the Understanding-Based Model from the Center for Understanding in Conflict (CUC). In 2022, she was honored with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) CEO Award for her impactful work in DEIA training.

Part 2 of The Conflict Professional’s Inner Compass webinar series
*Financial support and group discounts may be available for training fees. Please contact us at admin@understandinginconflict.org for details or for any questions regarding logistics.

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

Back to Basics: Parties Understanding Each Other
2026-08-27 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Once both parties feel understood by you as the mediator/conflict professional, what comes next? This webinar revisits a powerful step in the conflict resolution process: helping the parties demonstrate understanding of each other.
Through a live demonstration and discussion, we’ll explore why this shift matters, when it’s appropriate to introduce it, and how the principle of mutuality of vulnerability helps structure the exchange so no one feels exposed or taken advantage of. We’ll also look at common risks and how to manage them.
By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

Guide parties in demonstrating understanding of each other’s perspectives
Apply the principle of mutuality of vulnerability to structure that exchange safely

Meihua Han is a certified trainer for Search Inside Yourself (SIY), a mindfulness-based emotional intelligence program, and an ICF ACC Coach. She also serves as a Conflict Counselor, Mediator, and trainer for conflict management at SAP, based in China. With a background in Computer Science and Technology and 21 years in IT, Meihua currently works as a Delivery Manager at SAP’s Language Experience Lab within Globalization. This unique combination of technical leadership and mediation expertise enables her to support teams through both operational and interpersonal challenges.
Passionate about supporting personal growth and self-awareness, Meihua believes in the transformative power of understanding-based approaches to conflict. She finds balance and inspiration through calligraphy, dancing, and traveling.
Klara Sucher is a facilitator, organizational developer and mediator based in Berlin, Germany. With a background in Political Science from Freie Universität Berlin, she began her career co-founding a secondary school in Berlin — a project focused on educational equity — where she discovered her passion for organizational development and collaborative process design. Since then, Klara has accompanied a wide range of organizations through change processes, working at the intersection of structure, culture, and relationship. She trained in systemic consulting and deepened her focus on the relational dimension of organizational life through further training in relationship-oriented consulting.
Today, a central part of Kalra’s work is supporting teams and organizations in building the capacity to engage constructively with conflict — individually and collectively. She works in German and English.
*Financial support and group discounts may be available for training fees. Please contact us at admin@understandinginconflict.org for details or for any questions regarding logistics.

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

Introduction to Understanding Workplace Conflict (HRCI and SHRM Eligible)
2026-08-28 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: August 28, 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.
*Financial support and group discounts may be available for training fees. Please contact us at admin@understandinginconflict.org for details or for any questions regarding logistics.
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.

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 Conflict Resolution and Mediation Training (NY and CA CLE Eligible)
2026-09-17 08:00 - 2026-09-25 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
September 17–19 and 24–25, 2026 | Online (Zoom)
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM PST | 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM CST | 11:00 AM – 7:30 PM EST
All sessions include breaks throughout the day
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 online 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
Each day is 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM PST | 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM CST | 11:00 AM – 7:30 PM EST, with breaks throughout the day. Participants are encouraged to log in at 7:50 AM PST to troubleshoot Zoom and settle in to Canvas, our e-learning platform.
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.
Program Trainers
Ivan Alter is an attorney and mediator with offices in Westchester County, New York, and New York City. Practicing law since 1993, Ivan traded in an early career spent litigating complex commercial matters and high-conflict matrimonial cases in favor of a more rewarding practice using the understanding-based model.
Ivan left the courtroom for good twenty years ago and today empowers his clients to design satisfying resolutions to their conflicts through mediation and collaborative law. He is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A.), Brooklyn Law School (J.D.), and Columbia University (M.S.). Having participated in countless training programs and symposia, Ivan currently serves on the board of directors for the Center for Understanding in Conflict and the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals.
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.
Costs
The program training fee is $1,485
A deposit of $500.00 is necessary to secure registration.
*Financial support and group discounts may be available for training fees. Please contact us at admin@understandinginconflict.org for details or for any questions regarding logistics.
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.
Approved under Part 146 by the NYS Unified Court System’s Office of ADR Programs. This course meets the 24-Hour requirement for Initial Mediation Training.*
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
*Note that 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 select desired ticket and quantity using the +/- feature before clicking ‘Get Tickets.’

Introduction to Understanding Workplace Conflict (HRCI and SHRM Eligible)
2026-10-02 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: October 2, 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.
*Financial support and group discounts may be available for training fees. Please contact us at admin@understandinginconflict.org for details or for any questions regarding logistics.
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.

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.’

Fundamentals of Understanding Workplace Conflict (HRCI and SHRM Eligible)
2026-10-23 09:00 - 2026-11-20 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: October 23, November 6 and 20, 2026, 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM Pacific Time (includes two 15-minute breaks)
12:00 PM – 5:30 PM 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.
*Financial support and group discounts may be available for training fees. Please contact us at admin@understandinginconflict.org for details or for any questions regarding logistics.
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.

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 Conflict Resolution Mediation Training (NY and CA CLE Eligible)
2026-11-04 - 2026-11-08 | Green Gulch Farm, 1601 Shoreline Highway, Muir Beach, CA, 94965, United States
November 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, Nov 4: Check-in is 1:45 – 2:15 pm; training begins 2:30 pm and runs until 9:00 pm
Thursday – Friday, Nov 5 – 6: Full-day sessions, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm (with ample breaks)
Saturday, Nov 7: 9:00 am-6:00 pm
Sunday, Nov 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
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.
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.
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.
*Financial support and group discounts may be available for training fees. Please contact us at admin@understandinginconflict.org for details or for any questions regarding logistics.
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.
Approved under Part 146 by the NYS Unified Court System’s Office of ADR Programs. This course meets the 24-Hour requirement for Initial Mediation Training.*
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
*Note that 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 select desired ticket and quantity using the +/- feature before clicking ‘Get Tickets.’

40-Hour Conflict Resolution and Mediation Training (NY and CA CLE Eligible)
2027-09-22 12:00 - 2027-09-26 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Green Gulch Farm, 1601 Shoreline Highway, Muir Beach, CA, 94965, United States
September 22 – 26, 2027 | 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, Sept 22: Check-in is 1:45 – 2:15 pm; training begins 2:30 pm and runs until 9:00 pm
Thursday – Friday, Sept 23 – 24: Full-day sessions, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm (with ample breaks)
Saturday, Sept 25: 9:00 am-6:00 pm
Sunday, Sept 26: 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.

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.
*Financial support and group discounts may be available for training fees. Please contact us at admin@understandinginconflict.org for details or for any questions regarding logistics.
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.
Approved under Part 146 by the NYS Unified Court System’s Office of ADR Programs. This course meets the 24-Hour requirement for Initial Mediation Training.*
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
*Note that 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 select desired ticket and quantity using the +/- feature before clicking ‘Get Tickets.’
