Training Course Descriptions

Planned Courses (Not Yet Scheduled)

 

Communicating Compassionately in a World of Conflict

How to get what you want in a way that others want to give it to you!

Most of us have been educated from birth to compete, judge, demand, and diagnose – to think and communicate in terms of what is “right” and “wrong” with people. We express our feelings in terms of what another person has “done to us,” instead of taking responsibility for our feelings independent of another person. We struggle to understand our own needs in the moment, or to effectively ask for what we want without using unhealthy demands, threats, or coercion.

At best, communicating and thinking in this way can create misunderstanding and frustration. And still worse, it can lead to anger, depression and even emotional or physical violence.

This workshop teaches people to communicate with maximum effect. Through this workshop, you’ll learn to transform the thinking, language, and moralistic judgments that keep you from the enriching relationships that you dream of. Participants will analyze the impact of communications, and learn new skills and concepts to improve communication. You’ll start to resolve conflicts with ease, more easily get what you want without using demands, begin to hear the needs of others with less struggle, and strengthen your personal and professional relationships.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

  • Learn strategies for dealing with difficult interactions.
  • Learn to speak without blaming, while describing what you need.
  • Learn to listen for the underlying needs and feelings of others.
  • Speak in a way that is true to yourself and reduces defensiveness in others.
  • Defuse anger with empathy.
  • Analyze the difference between behavior we observe, interpret, or evaluate (judge).

Two 4-hour sessions $150.00 (some partial scholarships available)

 

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Resolving Conflicts

Disarming your Enemies by Making Them your Friend

Conflict can be healthy when it brings about new ideas and deeper relationships. For this to occur, differences must be negotiated on a win/win basis. Conflict is unhealthy when it leads to distrust, anger, and withdrawal. These results usually mean that conflict has been approached on a win/lose basis and the negotiation of a win/win resolution has failed.

Effective communication and conflict management skills are presented through a combination of interactive activities and guided teaching. In addition, participants receive coaching and mentoring to address specific, real world challenges they are facing. This introductory course is ideal for people from any professional background including business, human services, education, family life, and community interest.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

  • Analyze conflict-resolution styles and options;
  • Identify misunderstandings and how to prevent future conflict situations;
  • Identify the choices we have in the way we hear and respond to others;
  • Learn to turn complaints into requests; and
  • Foster respect and cooperation by focusing on the unmet needs behind the issue.

4 hours $75.00

 

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Anger Transformation

10 steps to Transforming Anger so Everyone Wins

When we are angry, three things are happening:
1) We are upset because we are not getting something we want;
2) We are blaming someone or something else for not getting what we want;
3) We are about to speak or act in a a way that virtually assures we will not get what we want, or that we may later regret.

When we are angry, we focus almost completely on what we don’t want, and the “wrongness” of others that are involved. We tend to lose sight of what we really do want and need.

The goal of this workshop is to bring participants to the awareness that relationships with friends, family, and co-workers merit the investment in time and energy required for disagreements to be negotiated in such a way that both parties feel like winners.

Participants will:

  • Look clearly at what happened and get clarity about your own needs
  • Learn how to view the needs of others objectively;
  • Find the “Do” behind the “Don’t”;
  • Learn how to change destructive anger reactions into the life serving purpose of anger.

4 hours $75.00 (some partial scholarships available)

 

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Strengthening Family Connections*

Turn Family Conflicts into Co-operation

Would you like to bring ease and joy to your family relationships?

Would you like to end power struggles and promote a mutual flow of respect and cooperation?

Would you like to hear each other so you can share your values & your concerns?

Participants will begin to:

  • Discover a quality of connection that will sustain your family through life's challenges.
  • Contribute to peace by being peace.
  • Transform struggles into caring relationships based on honesty and empathy.

Since this is a true “workshop” where participants will be able to work on specific and personal areas in their lives, topics can include the following:

  1. Habitual Behavior and Motivation for Change
  2. Taking Responsibility
  3. Beyond Submission and Rebellion
  4. Trusting that we Matter
  5. Four Ways of Hearing

 

*Prerequisite is Communicating Compassionately in a World of Conflict. It is recommended that at least 2 members from a family attend this workshop.

4 hours $75.00

 

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Restorative Justice Facilitation Skills*

Training for those interested in Restorative Justice interventions.

Training for those interested in managing and facilitating Restorative Justice interventions such as Restorative Conferencing, or Victim/Offender Mediations.

Participants will:

  • Learn the principles of Restorative Justice;
  • Practice listening and speaking in non-judgmental ways to encourage honesty and empathy among victims and offenders and others affected by crime;
  • Learn how to facilitate victim-sensitive community circle conferences and victim/offender mediations.

*Prerequisite is Communicating Compassionately in a World of Conflict.

8 hours $150 or FREE for those who complete the Mediation Certificate Program

 

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The Mediator Certificate Program*

Interested In Becoming A Mediator?

Click Here to see flyer.

The Dispute Resolution Programs Act (DRPA) is California state legislation that sets minimum standards for training of mediators in community mediation programs. CSC’s Certificate Program meets those standards. Additional steps are available if you are interested in getting hands-on experience, include participating in additional hours of co-mediation, including coaching, mentoring, and observation with CSC mediators.

Effective communication is one of the most important aspects to productive and harmonious relationships. Knowing how to work well with others can mean the difference between a promotion and a stalled career. The Mediation Certificate Program not only builds your skills and confidence, it is a great step toward career advancement and leadership opportunities. Give yourself the competitive edge and become a source for positive change in your community! The Conflict Solutions Center Mediation Certificate Program is a multi-disciplinary training program that provides in-depth skills training in communication, conflict management, negotiation, and mediation for people in a variety of professional and community settings. Course modules offer practical, experiential instruction in these diverse areas of practice. The Certificate Program is designed to serve the needs of the conflict resolution practitioner as well as professionals and students in human resource management, law, business, education, counseling, health care, and public service.

The Mediation Certificate Program is comprised of the following courses:

Class Name: Hours
Communicating Compassionately in a World of Conflict (Prerequisite) 8 hours
Resolving Conflicts (Prerequisite) 8 hours
Anger Transformation (Prerequisite) 4 hours
Basic Mediation Skills (description below) 20 hours
Mediation Skills Practicum (description below) 10 hours

 

Basic Mediation Skills - 20 Hours

This unique training program presents a step-by-step approach to the mediation process and emphasizes the concepts, strategies and skills necessary for effective conflict resolution. The course benefits a wide range of individuals across professional and cultural backgrounds who are interested in learning the basic mediation process, as well as those seeking a deeper understanding of the dynamics of conflict resolution. Managers and organizational leaders, educators, therapists and social workers, students, attorneys, judges, consultants, HR professionals, and faith-based leaders are among the common participants in the course.

Mediation Skills Practicum - 10 Hours

This practicum offers an opportunity to apply the skills learned in the Mediation Skills training and is designed for those interested in becoming Professional Mediators. Participants will observe, and co-mediate cases in Small Claims Court, and debrief with a coach. Trainees experience how the mediation process works and view its effectiveness first-hand. Each mediation is a public service as well as a training laboratory for novice and seasoned mediators.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

  • Apply critical thinking to problem identification and problem solving;
  • Examine assumptions and biases and the dynamics of neutrality;
  • Develop the skills to deal with emotions and impasse;
  • Explore ethical and cultural considerations in mediation;
  • Understand the difference between positions (surface) and needs/interests (underlying issues);
  • Understand theoretical foundation, objectives, and stages of the mediation process;
  • Practice effective communication and conflict resolution skills within a mediation framework;
  • Participate in simulations as both a mediator and a disputant;
  • Learn and practice the mediation process;

*Prerequisites are Communicating Compassionately in a World of Conflict, Resolving Conflicts & Anger Transformation.

5 courses (50 hours total) $450.00. If prerequisite courses are taken individually, amount paid will be credited to the cost of the Mediation Certificate Program.

 

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