32-hour Online Divorce Mediation Training 2023
3/22-3/25 and 3/29-4/1
9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. each day
We are adapting to bring high quality divorce mediation training 100% online!
Purpose of the Training
To give you practical experience for addressing any style and degree of conflict related to divorce and family law using unique and proven mediation tools and techniques. This is achieved by conducting a basic divorce mediation from start to finish applying FRIs innovative 5-Phase Mediation Process. You will learn how to diffuse and cool high conflict situations in mere moments.
What You Will Experience
An interactive, immersive multi-media and fun training event rooted in practical application through role playing, Q&A, lecture, and discussion. You will learn and be able to immediately apply a unique mediation structure, and the tools and techniques that go with it. FRI provides the participants with a full color handbook, that includes court forms, sample fee agreements, checklists, mediator specific ethical standards, and significant resources of relevant books and organizations that you can use right away. You will make a connection with the other trainees and gain a new community for support and networking.
This Training is Ideal for…
Any professional working in an area that is related to divorce and family law conflict such as family law lawyers (i.e., litigation, mediation, collaborative, etc.), mental health professionals (i.e., marriage and family therapists, relationship counselors, divorce coaches, psychologists, etc.), financial professionals and realtors.
Education Goals and Learning Objectives
At the end of the training, you will be able to:
- Conduct a formal mediation and/or use the skills in your practice
- Identify the 5 phases of the Mediation process and the purpose of each phase
- Distinguish your role as mediator from the role of lawyer, therapist, financial professional or other
- Name 3 specific effective listening techniques and their purposes
- Identify 4 reasons to hold a caucus during a mediation
- Utilize new mediation techniques for getting past impasse
- Help parties learn to make and respond to proposals
- Hold effective separate meetings with clients
- Listen and respond to clients to find options for settlement
- Manage power imbalances
- Name 3 techniques for working with high conflict people
Continuing Education Credits (CEUs)
- Approved for 30 hours California MCLE credit including 1 hour Ethics and 1 hour Elimination of Bias.
- This course meets the qualification for 30 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. (Family Resolution Institute, LLC, Approval No. 130208)
- Optional additional 8 hours pending approval
- Course certificates given upon completion of the whole training. Any time missed must be made up prior to receiving certificate.
Training Agenda
Day One:
- Conflict Theory
- Mediation Models
- Ethical Issues in Mediation
- Neutrality- What is it?
- 5 Phases of Mediation
- 15-minute Break
- Phase 1: Introduction & Demo
- 1-Hour Lunch
- Mock Mediation #1
- 15-minute Break
- The Intake Process
- Neutral Language Exercise
Day Two:
- Review Phase 1
- Phase 2: Exploration
- 15-minute Break
- Mock Mediation #2
- 1-hour Lunch
- Emotions in Divorce
- Active Listening
- Mock Mediation #3
- 15-minute Break
- Mock Mediation #4
Day Three:
- Pre-mediation Coaching
- Managing Reluctant Participants
- Subsequent Sessions
- 15-minute Break
- Phase 3: Negotiation
- 1-hour Lunch
- More Mediation Ethics
- Evaluation techniques
- Caucus – whether/when to have one
- Caucus objectives and techniques
- 15-minute Break
- Mock Mediation #5
Day Four:
- Review Phases 2 and 3
- Phase 4: Notation
- 15-minute Break
- Legal and Ethical Issues
- Mock Mediation #6
- 1-hour Lunch
- Phase 5: Finalization
- Bias
- 15-minute Break
- Advanced Issues
- Consulting Attorneys
- Attorneys at the Table
- High Conflict Cases
- Meeting with Children
- Other professionals
- Mock Mediation #7
Optional Day Five:
- Mediating Child Custody and Parenting Time
- Ethical Concerns Surrounding Parenting Issues
- Mock – Mediating a Parenting Plan
- Mediating Child and Spousal Support Issues
- Mediating Property Division
- Ethical Concerns Surrounding Financial Issues
- Mock – Mediating Financial Issues
- Taxation Issues
- Setting Up a Successful Mediation Practice
*Note: Our original 4-day training has been adapted for online presentation to be conducted over eight 4½-hour Zoom sessions.
Register Now for Online Divorce Mediation Training
Prefer to download a paper registration form?
If you prefer registering the old-fashioned way, just click below to download a paper registration form you can send to us.
Meet Our Lead Trainers & Founders
Shawn D. Skillin
FRI Co-Founder
After practicing law as a family law litigator and minors counsel, Shawn D. Skillin became interested in finding a more collaborative and solution oriented approach to family law cases. She began her mediation practice in 1999. Since then, she has successfully mediated hundreds of family law cases. In addition to maintaining her own family law mediation and Collaborative Divorce practice, Shawn is an educational consultant, speaker and trainer with the High Conflict Institute. She speaks frequently on issues related to mediation and family law. She has been a guest lecturer on mediation at the University of San Diego School of Law, San Diego Christian College and Legal Assistance at Marine Air Station, Camp Pendleton. She has trained military JAG Officers in family law mediation since 2011. Shawn was an intensive care and trauma nurse in her early professional life, earning her BSN from San Diego State University. Shawn then earned her J.D. from the University of San Diego.
Shawn Weber, CLS-F*
FRI Co-Founder
Shawn Weber has a long history with Consensual Dispute Resolution and is known throughout the State of California as an expert in Mediation and Collaborative Practice. Known as a “dolphin” and not a “shark”, Shawn brings a peacemaking philosophy to his more than 20-year career in family law and divorce work. Shawn understands that divorce is more than just a legal process; it’s a human experience.
He has a profound ability to get into the world his clients are experiencing and feeling to uncover the necessary clarity in each divorce relationship dynamic. From there, he uses his gifts to bring a rare sense of calm, resolve and hope.
Shawn has a private practice with Weber Dispute Resolution and serves as President of Collaborative Practice California, an organization promoting Collaborative Practice throughout the State of California. A father of five, Shawn understands the human side of family law and brings his real life experience to the table for his clients.
*Certified Specialist – Family Law
The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.
Robin Duboe Seigle, J.D.
FRI Co-Founder
Robin Duboe Seigle, J.D., is currently a civil mediator, mediation consultant, a coach for individuals contemplating or beginning the divorce process. She worked for National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) from July 1989 through July 2014 as a Public Relations Coordinator, Mediation Trainer, Court Program Coordinator, and Director of NCRC’s Divorce Mediation Group. Prior to working for NCRC, she became a volunteer mediator in 1984, a mediation trainer in 1985, a large group facilitator in 1987. She has been a member of the California Bar since 1977 and is currently inactive. She has a J.D. degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and a B.A. in Psychology from UCLA.
Robin learned at the beginning of her law career that mediation was a preferred approach for resolving disputes. Litigation is focused on a win/lose approach whereas mediation focuses on finding a way for all parties to gain something through a negotiated process. It is cost effective, and efficient and, from Robin’s perspective, beneficial in divorce as families are involved.
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