This Program is Co-Sponsored with the
New Hampshire Collaborative Law Alliance
May 6th & 7th
8:30AM - 5:00PM
14 CE Credits
New Hampshire Audobon Society
Concord, NH
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 an 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 a resolution without going to court. For more information about Collaborative Practice, go to www.collaborativelawnh.org 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.
Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the history, theory, and practical application of multidisciplinary collaborative practice to potential divorcing couples.
2. 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.
3. 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).
4. Prepare for impasse and resistance from potential clients and professionals.
5. 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.
6. Discuss the unique ethical considerations of working with a multidisciplinary team (boundaries, dual relationships, confidentiality).
7. Use debriefing skills that can be applied at the end of a collaborative case so that continual learning takes place.
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.
To Register: https://collaborativedivorcenh.com/training-and-education/
This program is co-sponsored by the New Hampshire Psychological Association (NHPA) and the NH Collaborative Law Alliance. NHPA is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. NHPA maintains responsibility for this program and its contents.
