2022
Mark your calendars!
May 6 & 7, 2022 (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM) – INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATIVE
DIVORCE TRAINING* – (NH AUDUBON CENTER, NH – 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH)
Please read the description of the basic training below. You may click on the following links for a PDF copy of the training info, registration form, and sponsorship form.
Click Here For 2022 Basic Training Flyer
Click Here for 2022 Basic Training Registration Form
Click Here for 2022 Basic Training Sponsorship
Click Here For Law Student Sponsorship Form
This program is sponsored by the New Hampshire Psychological Association (NHPA) and the New Hampshire Collaborative Law Alliance (NHCLA). NHPA is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. NHPA maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 
What is Collaborative Practice?
Collaborative Practice is a growing worldwide movement to promote respectful family law dispute resolution without litigation. It offers a way to resolve differences by working together with lawyers and other trained professionals to reach agreement. Lawyers and clients meet together to explore options. Mental health professionals work as “coaches/facilitators” to provide support to both the clients and the team, and to assist with parenting issues. Financial professionals assist in gathering and analyzing information in order to reach a sustainable resolution. Clients make their own decisions rather than relying on a judge. All of the participants—clients and professionals—agree at the outset that they will work together to reach resolution without going to court. For more information about Collaborative Practice, go to www.collaborativedivorcenh.com and see NH RSA 490-J.
The New Hampshire Collaborative Law Alliance (NHCLA) began using the collaborative team approach in 2010. This is our seventh interdisciplinary collaborative training. In the past we have had to use trainers from across the country to provide these extensive trainings, but we are now able to provide this training with our own New Hampshire Collaborative Law Alliance training team, consisting of two attorneys, one neutral financial professional, and one neutral mental health professional, who have had extensive experience using Collaborative Divorce here in New Hampshire. Clients interested in Collaborative Divorce are expected to increase as a result of the recent passage of the New Hampshire Collaborative Law Act (RSA 490-J).
Over the course of the two days, participants will learn and see how the collaborative team works from start to finish. There will also be demonstrations, discussions, and plenty of time for participants to comment and ask questions. The training will address the role of each profession, individually and as a team. The training includes introducing clients to collaboration, interest-based negotiation concepts, enhancing communication and team building skills, and ethical considerations, as well as the emotional, legal, financial and psychological components of divorce and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships.
Who Should Attend this Training?
Lawyers, financial professionals, and mental health professionals who complete this training will be eligible to apply for membership in NHCLA and participate as team members in Collaborative dispute resolution if they meet the required minimum standards, which can be viewed on our “About Us” page. For current NHCLA members, it is an excellent way to enhance your skills, at a greatly reduced rate!
The Trainers
The members of the team who will be leading this training include Jane Schirch, Esquire, Catherine McKay, Esquire, Karen Ela Kenny, MSW, LICSW, and Jill Boynton, CFP ®, CDFA. They are experienced collaborative practitioners and have all held leadership roles in furthering CP in New Hampshire. Jane Schirch is a former Board member and former co-chair, and Cathy McKay, Karen Ela Kenny and Jill Boynton are current Board members.
Location
The training will take place at the New Hampshire Audubon Society, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH. Lunch will be provided, along with continental breakfast and snacks.
Continuing Education Credits
Continuing education credit (14 CE credits) has been approved by the NH Psychological Association. NHPA is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. These credits will also be accepted by the State Board of Mental Health Practice for all New Hampshire licensees. For those attendees wishing to receive credits from the NHPA, there will be an additional $25.00 charge for the fee charged by NHPA per attendee seeking credits.
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:
- Describe the history, theory, and practical application of multidisciplinary collaborative practice to potential divorcing couples.
- Apply the language and techniques of each other’s professions so as to be able to promote successful negotiations aimed at helping couples reach their own constructive settlements.
- Explain how and when to work in various multidisciplinary combinations (for example, how to conduct one’s self in meetings involving attorneys, clients, and mental health professionals together).
- Prepare for impasse and resistance from potential clients and professionals.
- Utilize and explain important forms, such as formal participation agreements and court-required forms, and important questionnaires and checklists, such as those pertaining to family history, marital circumstances, and personal concerns.
- Discuss the unique ethical considerations of working with a multidisciplinary team (boundaries, dual relationships, confidentiality).
- Use debriefing skills that can be applied at the end of a collaborative case so that continual learning takes place.
It is expected that attorneys participating in this training will qualify for 14 CE credits, including 1 ethics credit, also.
Cost & Registration
For non-NHCLA members: Tuition for the two-day training is $525. Registrations received by April 1st get an early bird rate of $450!
For students* and NHCLA members taking this as a refresher course: Early bird rate is $200, received by April 1st and the regular rate is $300. (*There may be sponsorships available for law students. Please email your resume & transcript to our administrative assistant, Joanne LaGree, at joannelagree@msn.com if you are interested.)
A special thanks to the following corporate sponsors:
Our Gold Level Sponsor
Our Bronze Level Sponsors
2020
September 25, 2020* – New England Collaborative Divorce Educational & Networking Event (*rescheduled from 5/1/20)
Click Here For NE Conference Flyer
Click Here For Registration Form
May 3, 2019 – New England Collaborative Divorce Educational & Networking Event
Click to View Save The Date Flyer
Click Here For Registration Form
June 7 & 8, 2019 – INTRODUCTORY INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE TRAINING (for lawyers, financial professionals and mental health professionals) *UPDATE: Training has been cancelled (5/1/19). We apologize for any inconvenience!
*This program is co-sponsored by the New Hampshire Psychological Association (NHPA) and New Hampshire Collaborative Divorce (CDNH)
Please read the description of the basic training below. You may click on the following links for a PDF copy of the training info, registration form, and sponsorship form.
2019 Basic Training Registration Form CANCELLED
2019 Basic Training Sponsorship
What is Collaborative Practice?
Collaborative Practice is a growing worldwide movement to promote respectful dispute resolution without litigation. It offers a way to resolve differences by working together with lawyers and other trained professionals to reach agreement. Lawyers and clients meet together to explore options. Mental health professionals work as “coaches/facilitators” to provide support to both the clients and the team, and to assist with parenting issues. Financial professionals assist in gathering and analyzing information in order to reach a sustainable resolution.. Clients make their own decisions rather than relying on a judge. All of the participants—clients and professionals—agree at the outset that they will work together to reach resolution without going to court. (For more information about Collaborative Practice, go to collaborativedivorcenh.com.)
The New Hampshire Collaborative Divorce (CDNH) began using the collaborative team approach in 2010. This is our seventh interdisciplinary collaborative training. In the past we have had to use trainers from across the country to provide these extensive trainings, but we are now able to provide this training with our own New Hampshire Collaborative Divorce training team, consisting of two attorneys, one neutral financial professional, and one neutral mental health professional, who have had extensive experience using Collaborative law here in New Hampshire.
Over the course of the two days, participants will learn and see how the collaborative team works from start to finish. There will also be demonstrations, discussions, and plenty of time for participants to comment and ask questions. The training will address the role of each profession, individually and as a team. The training includes introducing clients to collaboration, interest based negotiation concepts, enhancing communication and team building skills, and ethical considerations, as well as the emotional, legal, financial and psychological components of divorce and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships.
Who Should Attend this Training?
Lawyers, financial professionals, and mental health professionals who complete this training will be eligible to apply for membership in CDNH, and participate as team members in Collaborative dispute resolution. CDNH members who have not yet had training in interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice are especially encouraged to attend as such training is required for continued membership. For current CDNH members, it is an excellent way to enhance your skills, at a greatly reduced rate!
The Trainers
The members of the team who will be leading this training include Jane Schirch, Esquire, Catherine McKay, Esquire, Karen Ela Kenny, MSW, LICSW, and Jill Boynton, CFP ®, CDFA. They are experienced collaborative practitioners, and have all held leadership roles in furthering CP in New Hampshire. Jane Schirch, Cathy McKay and Karen Ela Kenny are former Board co-chairs and Jill Boynton is a past Board member and Treasurer.
Location
The training will take place at the New Hampshire Audubon Society, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH. Lunch will be provided, along with continental breakfast and snacks.
Continuing Education Credits
14 CE credits for psychologists have been approved by the NH Psychological Association. NHPA is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. These credits are also accepted by the State Board of Mental Health Practice for all New Hampshire licensees. NHPA maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
It is expected that attorneys participating in this training will qualify for 14 CE credits, including 1 ethics credit, also.
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:
- Describe three key aspects of the history, theory, and practical application of multidisciplinary collaborative practice to potential divorcing couples.
- Describe how to apply the language and techniques of two other professionals so as to be able to promote successful negotiations aimed at helping couples reach their own constructive settlements.
- Explain four different functions that each professional will be performing in the context of the multidisciplinary meetings.
- Prepare for impasse and resistance by identifying 2 obstacles that will often occur and 2 communication strategies that will help overcome this.
- Utilize and explain at least five different documents such as formal participation agreements, court-required forms, questionnaires, checklists, etc.
- Identify and discuss at least three ethical considerations of working with a multidisciplinary team.
- Identify at least three ways that professionals can deepen their skill sets for providing the Collaborative Divorce process to couples and families
Cost & Registration
For non-CDNH members: Tuition for the two-day training is $475. Registrations received by April 30th get an early bird rate of $400!
For CDNH members taking this as a refresher course: Early bird rate is $200, received by April 30th and the regular rate is $300.
Please contact our administrative assistant Joanne LaGree at joannelagree@msn.com with any further questions.
* * *
A special thanks to the following corporate sponsors:
2019 NH Basic Training Agenda (June 7th & 8th, 8:30am – 5pm)
Day 1:
8:30AM – 9:30
Intro of speakers
What is Collaboration?
Ice breaker
Intro of attendees – discipline, why taking training now?
Overview of training – including training goals and structure
Burning questions
9:30 – 10:15
Intro: Elements of Collaborative Practice
History of Collaborative
10:15-10:30
BREAK
10:30 – 11:30
Paradigm shift – interests v positions, listening, communication, interests based negotiations
11:30 – 12:15
Overview of process
12:15 – 12:45
LUNCH
12:45 – 1:45
Breakout with own discipline (Attorneys, Mental Health and Financial) – Nuts and Bolts of role – “what do I do and how do I do it”
1:45 – 2:45
Breakouts with the other disciplines, discuss components of other disciplines (30 minutes each)
2:45 – 3:00
BREAK
3:00 – 3:30
Introduction of John and Kate Smith
Demonstration Role Play with John and Kate Smith
3:30 – 4:45
Developing Interests
Role play at tables and group discussion
4:45 – 5:00
Wrap up
Day 2
8:30 – 9:30
Lawyer and Client initial interview
Role play at tables and group discussion
9:30 – 9:45
Discussion of first 5 way meeting and Demonstration
9:45 – 10:00
BREAK
10:00 – 10:45
Demonstration with John and Kate: 6 way focusing on financials
Questions and Discussion
10:45 – 11:45
Ethics
11:45 – 12:00
Coach: Parenting Plan
12:00 – 12:30
Lunch
12:30 -12:50
Demonstration role play: Coach with parenting plan
12:50-1:25
Harnessing the power of the Team (pre-brief/de-brief)
1:25 -2:25
Challenges to the Collaborative Process
Role play at table and group discussion
2:25 – 2:40
BREAK
2:40 – 4:00
Impasse and tools to resolve impasse
Impasse role play exercise
4:00 – 4:15
Finishing the case and what happens after agreement is signed?
4:15 – 4:30
Next steps to develop a Collaborative Practice: practice groups/IACP/CLANH minimum standards/Membership/mentor program/UCLA
4:30 – 5:00
Question and Answers