Training

Introduction to Mediation Training

This is the basic, introductory course required of all new mediators by most courts or public and private mediation firms throughout the U.S. This highly-interactive course will not only equip you with the skills to mediate, but it will also help you develop essential communication, negotiation and listening techniques. Instructors use role playing, simulations, videos, seasoned mediator coaches and interactive discussions.

The program is designed to provide an understanding of mediation in theory, concept and practical application. And, in addition to furnishing the important conflict resolution skills necessary to mediate in all professional fields, the program meets the training requirements of most court-annexed mediation programs. This program has been taught for over over a decade, with continuous updates reflecting the latest tools and research.

This course is an introduction to the principles and practices of conflict mediation. This course will introduce students to the skills required to facilitate the management of conflict between parties with opposing interests. It will help students improve their negotiation skills, develop mediation skills, and learn how to use those skills to minimize disputes, deescalate volatile situations, and transform conflicts. The course will explore the various frameworks and contexts for applying mediation skills.

Your registration fee not only provides you with training, but you will also receive our publication, Introduction to Conflict Mediation: Participant Handbook. This practical starter mediation binder includes a set of instructional materials, valuable guides and checklists, copies of mediation standards, statutes and rules, a resource directory, sample agreements, mediator forms, a list of professional mediation organizations and a variety of other mediation information, handouts, and exercises.

Participants who complete the program receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the course. Attorneys: this course may qualify for up to 40 CLEs, 6 of which may fulfill the professional responsibility requirement.

Refreshments and training materials are included in the cost of registration. We will have working lunches. An optional catered lunch is available or you may bring your own.

While there is no advanced reading requirement, we encourage you to consider some of the selections from our resource list. This course is a prerequisite for any of our advanced mediation courses.

Course Syllabus

Required Reading: Introduction to Conflict Mediation: Participant Handbook

(provided to all registered participants)

General Learning Objectives: By the end of the course, students should be able to:

Understand how mediation fits on the continuum of conflict management options;

Understand how a mediator assists in the process of collaborative negotiations;

Use mediation skills as impartial third parties to help those in conflict achieve improved communication, greater understanding, generate creative options and solve problems;

Identify their individual approaches and styles to conflict mediation, within the framework of a facilitative, problem-solving model;

Recognize their unique levels of comfort with conflict situations; and

Have confidence in their abilities to mediate conflict situations.

Course Participation:

Since this is a “learn by doing” class, and since class learning depends on a group experience, your attendance and participation is essential. Please be considerate of your classmates and instructor as we build a classroom community during this course. Behaviors such as arriving late, leaving early, ringing cell phones, pagers cause disruptions which inhibit learning for all participants.

Course Modifications:

From time to time it may be valuable to make changes in course policies or schedules. Therefore, I reserve the right to modify any of this syllabus during the course. It is each participant’s responsibility to be aware of any such changes as they are announced.

Approximate Course Schedule/Outline:

DAY 1

Course overview and introductions

Introduction to conflict and mediation

The mediation process

Mediation frameworks and styles

Pre-mediation: setting the stage

Co-mediation and solo-mediation models

Developing opening statements

DAY 2

Practice and evaluate opening statement

Communication skill-building