We are pleased to share our 2025 Workshops below
Embracing the 2SLGBTQI+ Community in our Practice
This presentation by Jane Ja-Eun Huh of Russell Alexander Collaborative Family Lawyers, and Sarah Rutledge Fischer provides mediation and collaborative professionals with insights into the social and historical context of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, while building knowledge of inclusive terminology. Practitioners will be empowered to engage in compassionate, evolving dialogues and explore creative approaches to adapting their work to meet the community’s unique needs.
The session fosters a safe space for professionals to share experiences, challenges, and strategies for serving the 2SLGBTQI+ community. 'Colouring Outside the Line' is a perfect illustration of our intention to cast light on the equity deserving 2SLGBTQI+ community and explore creative means to adapt our work to their specific needs.
Depolarization as a Path to Peace: Creative Solutions for Family Peacemaking
This presentation by Dr. Michael Saini and Vicky Visca explores the transformative power of depolarization in family dispute resolution by shifting adversarial narratives toward collaborative, child-centred solutions rooted in shared values. Grounded in trauma-informed practice, conflict resolution, and systems thinking, the session integrates theory with real-world case studies involving high-conflict parenting plan disputes, family violence, and cultural differences.
Interactive activities will help participants identify shared goals, use inclusive language, and de-escalate conflict, emphasizing mutual respect and dismantling power imbalances. By embracing depolarization as an innovative, solution-focused approach, this session challenges traditional paradigms and inspires professionals to empower families, reduce harm, and build brighter futures for children.
Navigating the Future of Mediation: Leveraging AI and Ethics in Collaborative and Mediation Practices
Mary-Anne Popescu and Amanda Reece lead this interactive session that invites mediators and collaborative divorce professionals to explore how AI tools like ChatGPT can enhance mediation and collaborative practices while addressing key ethical considerations. Through a round-table format with hands-on stations, participants will tackle real-world challenges, refine ethical guidelines, and discover innovative ways to integrate AI into conflict resolution. By engaging directly with AI, attendees will gain insights into its role in mediation, from drafting agreements to analyzing emotional tones and refining communication strategies.
Stations will cover essential topics such as the ethical use of AI in mediation, AI-assisted conflict resolution, and the evolving balance between human expertise and technology. Activities include structured discussions, AI-powered role-plays, and problem-solving exercises that highlight AI’s potential in drafting agreements and enhancing mediation techniques. By the end of the session, participants will leave with practical skills, ethical considerations, and a forward-thinking perspective on AI’s role in shaping the future of mediation.
Participants are encouraged to download the free version of ChatGPT before the session to fully engage in the workshop.
CREATIVITY: WHAT is it? WHY is it important? and HOW can we enhance our creative capacity
Emily Comor presents on creativity as an essential part of being human and fundamental to problem-solving. It allows us to take existing ideas and information and rearrange them into something new. While young children are naturally creative, this creativity often diminishes as we grow older and more self-conscious, impacting our problem-solving and decision-making abilities. Bringing our best creative selves to the collaborative or mediation process—and to life in general—starts with understanding what makes us creative and how to enhance it in ourselves, our colleagues, and our clients.
This workshop begins with an exploration of the importance of creativity in everyday life and work. Participants will learn strategies to strengthen their creative muscles and bring their A-game to peacemaking, with a special focus on play as a tool for more effective problem-solving and decision-making.
The Benefits of Expanding your practice to include and Collaborate with a Divorce Coach
This presentation by Jennifer Donison explores the evolving role of divorce coaching in family law and dispute resolution, showcasing it as a beneficial and collaborative tool for family peacemaking. Attendees will learn how divorce coaches bridge the gap between emotional and practical challenges, empowering clients with clarity, resilience, and client-centered approaches.
By collaborating with a divorce coach or expanding your practice to offer coaching services, you can deliver more comprehensive support to your clients, leading to better outcomes and increased satisfaction. Our session will explore the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration, highlighting how divorce coaching complements legal and mediation services, reduces costs, and prioritizes children's needs. Join us to learn how to leverage the expertise of a divorce coach and take your practice to the next level!
How to right the ship when your joint retainer hits the iceberg
This presentation by Matthew Krofchick examines strategies for navigating problem cases from a financial perspective when working with a CBV. Through case reviews, interactive group discussions, and collaborative debriefs, attendees will explore how to manage difficult clients or unexpected situations to keep the process on track and achieve settlements.
By focusing on real-world scenarios and creative approaches to resolving challenges, this session emphasizes innovative problem-solving techniques that empower professionals to foster collaboration and maintain momentum in family peacemaking.
Working in Diverse Communities with Intergenerational Trauma
This presentation by Kayla M. Stephenson explores the integration of trauma-informed practices into ADR frameworks, addressing intergenerational trauma, systemic inequities, and evolving legislation through a culturally sensitive lens. Participants will gain actionable strategies to navigate diverse conflict dynamics, build trust, and foster healing while centering empathy, equity, and inclusivity.
Through real-world case studies, role-playing, group discussions, and interactive tools, attendees will deepen their understanding of how trauma and systemic factors shape family disputes. This session aligns with the conference theme by amplifying the human-centered potential of ADR, inspiring innovative, compassionate approaches to family peacemaking.
Beyond Words: Deepening Conversations for Meaningful Client Communication
Clients in conflict who are supported with an approach and environment encouraging them to share their concerns and worries can engage in deeper conversations that promote understanding, clarity, and resolution. Drawing from their combined expertise in mediation, conflict resolution, and client-centered communication, Christopher Arnold and Jennifer Suzor will share underlying theory and practical tools for enhancing client conversations in CDR approaches. Key themes and learning objectives will include the art of deep listening, the insight approach to conversation, building trust through language, and the practical tools that bring these strategies forward. This workshop will include live demonstrations of effective and ineffective conversations, practice of deep listening and questioning and a facilitated Q&A dialogue with Chris and Jennifer on real-life challenges.
Inviting Calm through the Chaos: Collaboration for Complex Cases
This workshop led by Angela Pickard and Triena McGuirk explore a nontraditional alliance between mental health professionals, offering an innovative and effective approach to managing complex cases in family dispute resolution (FDR). The Counselling Professional provides psychoeducation with a focus on self-accountability, assertiveness and improved communication, while simultaneously focusing on personal wellbeing. The Family Mediator/Family Professional supports a client-driven resolution process by providing education, awareness and understanding of the needs and best interests of the individuals and family at the centre of the negotiations keeping in mind impartiality and client-driven decision making. By addressing trauma, mental health and/or addictions, both professionals work together within a “circle of care” prioritizing confidentiality, professional ethical responsibilities and getting clients “unstuck” to reach resolution.
Through interactive components such as case studies and problem-solving scenarios, participants will gain practical strategies to empower clients while maintaining the integrity of the process.
Meeting People Where They're At: A Values-Based Approach to Intergenerational Mediation
Rosanna Macri leads a presentation exploring Canada’s population is aging, with seniors projected to make up nearly one-quarter of the population by 2040 (Stats Canada, 2019). As families grow to include more generations, intergenerational mediation plays a crucial role in helping older adults engage with their families and others—such as healthcare providers, estate lawyers, and financial institutions—to plan for personal, financial, and healthcare decisions.
This workshop focuses on a values-based mediation approach, emphasizing the older adult’s values to resolve challenging situations while nurturing and maintaining relationships. Through case reviews, participants will:
Explore the utility of values-based mediation.
Encourage a proactive approach to planning.
Identify opportunities for engagement and collaboration.
Creativity and Collaboration: The Art of Ensemble Engagement
This workshop led by Dr. Linda M. Ippolito and Asif Quadir explores the intersection of creativity and collaboration in dispute resolution by drawing on the art of ensemble music-making. Through music and arts-based exercises, participants will learn to interrupt patterns, embrace discomfort, and shift their mindset to foster innovative problem-solving. By reframing negotiation and mediation through a musical lens, practitioners can move beyond traditional “us vs. them” dynamics and adopt a cooperative, ensemble-driven approach where all voices contribute to a unified resolution.
Participants will engage in experiential exercises, including “percussion discussions,” to explore non-verbal communication, rotating leadership, improvisation, and “polyphonic listening.” By applying the “3 C’s” of successful ensemble music-making—communication, community, and communion—this session encourages professionals to step outside their comfort zones, embrace uncertainty, and cultivate new perspectives that enhance creativity and effectiveness in dispute resolution.
Listening with Love: Transforming Relationships and Systems through Children’s Voices
This presentation by Nikki Martyn explores the transformative power of listening to children’s voices through the lens of love, play, and connection. Grounded in attachment theory, developmental neuroscience, and resilience research, it highlights how emotional safety empowers children to express themselves authentically. By fostering trust through love and using play as a medium for self-expression, participants will learn how to create environments that nurture a child’s sense of belonging and security.
Beyond enriching family dynamics, amplifying children’s voices promotes systemic change that fosters peace and inclusion. Through interactive discussions and reflective activities, attendees will explore strategies for integrating children’s perspectives into family, educational, and professional contexts. This session aligns with the conference theme by offering creative approaches to peacemaking that center trust, empathy, and connection, ensuring every child feels valued and heard.
Indigenous Dispute Resolution as Ethical Space
This presentation by Laurie Sherry and Sherrie Moore explores the findings of a doctoral study on the strengths and limitations of Indigenous dispute resolution circles in improving outcomes for Indigenous children and families. Rooted in traditionally informed circle protocols, these approaches create ethical spaces for engagement, fostering healing, empowerment, and spiritual connection while addressing historical trauma.
While Indigenous dispute resolution circles offer transformative opportunities, challenges remain in navigating systemic inequalities, dominant beliefs, and structural barriers within child welfare systems. The session will conclude with a critical discussion on how these practices can drive meaningful change while acknowledging the complexities of implementing them within historically inequitable systems.
Through the Personality Prism: The Enneagram in Conflict Management and Resolution
Anu Osborne will lead a presentation that introduces the Enneagram, a powerful 1500-year old framework of transformative change, that aligns with psychological principles and neuroscience to enhance emotional intelligence and conflict resolution. Widely used across various fields, including psychology, leadership development and mediation, the Enneagram provides a deeper understanding of how personality shapes conflict behaviors. Participants will explore the nine personality types, learning how each approaches conflict, processes emotions, and navigates disputes. By recognizing their own Enneagram type and identifying patterns in others, attendees will gain tools to address differences with greater awareness and non-judgmental understanding.
The session features visual images, real-world examples, reflection and an assessment tool developed at Stanford Medical School, to help participants apply Enneagram insights in collaboration, mediation and coaching. Emphasizing core motivations, fears, and conflict strategies, this approach offers a more individualized and transformative way to foster understanding between parties and enhance team dynamics.