Confluence Center for
Mediation & Training

"The time to work with the model in the many role plays was wonderful: the chance to experiment, the excellent coaching, the chance to walk in the shoes of a disputant were all invaluable. The training team was excellent at establishing an environment where experimentation and being the novice were encouraged and respected. The highly supportive environment was quite helpful"

Course Attendee  
LCSW

"... it was the safest learning environment I have ever been in. I have always hated role playing. I will never fear it again. The way you and your coaches set up the role plays, coached the 'disputants' and the 'mediator' and guided the process made it very safe to screw up."

Course Attendee
LCSW

"I expected the training to initially give hints and guidelines for improving my work. The training became much more than that and provided an entirely new approach to conflict resolution,"

Human Resource
Professional
Richland,Washington

Since its inception in 1986 by Confluence Northwest, our training has been recognized as a model of excellence in the Northwest for the individual who is earnest about learning the skills needed to be a mediator in a variety of settings. Our seminars are fast-paced, skill-oriented, and highly interactive. Brief lectures, demonstrations, and group discussions are interspersed with "hands-on" mediation skill-building exercises. There is a professional coach for each role play group. Class size is limited to 24 to assure individual attention and an enjoyable learning environment. Our comprehensive training manual provides you with extensive information and resources for the future.

- Laurel Singer and Mary Forst

Basic Plus Mediation Skills

Designed to exceed Oregon court requirements for basic mediation skills training. Continuing Education and HR credit available.

You will learn and practice how to:

• Structure the mediation process through a step-by-step procedure
  
• Increase your effectiveness in listening to and communicating with people in conflict
  
• Assist disputants to reach mutually satisfying agreements
  
• Enhance negotiation skills–your own and others'
  
• Work with strong emotions respectfully and constructively, especially with the disputing parties face to face
  
• Manage cross-cultural differences
  
• Respond to ethical dilemmas that arise in mediation
  
• Develop strategies to deal with various elements of conflict

Top of Page   

 Advanced Workplace Mediation

An advanced training focusing on the dynamics that arise in workplace conflicts, and the understanding and skills needed to assist parties to resolve conflicts and improve their working relationships. All role plays and exercises are based on typical scenarios of conflicts that arise in the workplace.

You will gain skills in:

• Pre-mediation assessment and "getting parties to the table"
• Creating safety
• Neutrality dilemmas: how to gain credibility when you care about the outcome
• Working with the reality of power imbalances in the workplace
• Helping parties to negotiate behavior changes
• Building and restoring good working relationships
• Integrating mediation practices and principles into an organization

Prerequisite: Basic mediation skills training that fulfills Oregon Dispute Resolution Commission requirements, or permission of instructor.

Internal Training for Conflict Resolution Programs in Organizations

Many companies and organizations are creating successful internal conflict resolution programs to:

• solve workplace problems quickly, fairly, and effectively
• help teams find common ground and accomplish their objectives
• increase the level of creativity and ownership of outcomes by involving people in designing their own strategies for success.

We help you design a program that meets your organization's unique needs and involves active participation of interest groups. We also offer training for managers, administrators and internal mediators of the program, and education for executives, managers, and potential end users of mediation, to ensure that everyone in the system can make effective use of the program.

Custom Designed Training

We are happy to customize the mediation skills or other training courses to meet the needs of your organization or business. Please call (503) 243-2290 for more information.