MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR OUR 2026 INTRODUCTORY INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE TRAINING!
INTRODUCTORY INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE TRAINING (for lawyers, financial professionals and mental health professionals) IN CO-SPONSORSHIP WITH THE NEW HAMPSHIRE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCATION
Friday May 15, 2026 & Saturday May 16, 2026
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day (Registration begins at 8:00 a.m.): Southern NH University – Belknap Hall
2500 North River Road, Manchester, NH
Please Click Here for 2026 Basic Training flyer
Please Click Here for 2026 Basic Training registration form
*A special thanks to our Silver Sponsors, Our Family Wizard and Soberlink!
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.
Collaborative Divorce New Hampshire (CDNH) began using the collaborative team approach in 2010. This is our ninth interdisciplinary collaborative training. This training is presented by our own CDNH 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.
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. For current CDNH members, it is an excellent way to refresh and 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, Nadia Delshad, PSYD, 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, Nadia Delshad, and Jill Boynton are current Board members.
Location
The training will take place at: Southern NH University – Hospitality Center Salon B, 2500 North River Road, Manchester, NH. Lunch will be provided, along with continental breakfast and snacks.
Continuing Education Credits
Continuing education credits will be requested from the NH Psychological Association and the CFP Board of Standards. For those attendees wishing to receive credits from the NHPA (once approved), there will be an additional $25.00 charge for the fee charged by NHPA per attendee seeking credits. It is expected that attorneys participating in this training will qualify for 14 NH MCLE credits, including 1 ethics credit.
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.
Cost & Registration
For non-CDNH members: Tuition for the two-day training is $625. Registrations received by April 15th get an early bird rate of $550!
For students* and CDNH members taking this as a refresher course: Regular rate is $400 and early bird rate is $300, if received by April 15th.
*In addition, we are currently accepting letters of interest for a limited amount of UNH Law Student Scholarships in connection with this training. Interested students should submit their letter of interest no later than March 15 to joannelagree@msn.com