67th Annual Conference

Saturday, February 27

Session 214

From Combat: To Collaboration

Presenters:        

Catherine Kligler, JD

Betsy Ross, M.S.W., CGP, Private Practice, Stoughton, Massachusetts

Collaborative divorce offers a more humanistic alternative to the traditional, adversarial approach. Mental health professionals are utilized as part of an inter-disciplinary team and work as collaborative coaches, along with two collaboratively trained attorneys, the divorcing parties, and other specialists (financial professionals, child specialists, etc). Group professionals, with their specialized training in group dynamics, resistance, containment, etc. are particularly well-suited to the task of working as collaborative coaches. The collaborative family law process, with it's focus on genuine and honest communication, negotiation, and problem solving to reach a 'good enough divorce agreement' represents a growing movement in the US (collaborative practice groups exist in every state) as well as abroad.

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Obtain a basic understanding of collaborative family law and how it is used most effectively.

2. Learn how to empower clients to resolve conflict more effectively.

3. Acquire new skills for working with other professionals and as part of an inter-disciplinary team.

4. Explore how to build a collaborative practice.

Course References:

The Art of Holding Effective Collaborative Meetings By Betsy Ross, MSW, CGP. Collaborative Law Journal, Volume 5, Number 2, Fall 2007.

The Mental Health Professional as a Neutral Coach in the Collaborative Process By Linda Solomon, LPC, LMFT, and Norma Levine Trusch, JD. Collaborative Law Journal, Volume 6, Number 1, Winter, 2008.

Taking the War Out of Our Words: Sharon Ellison's "Powerful Non-Defensive Communication" Workshop By Laurie Israel, Esq. Collaborative Law Journal, Volume 6, Number 1, Winter, 2008.