In this 3-hour workshop participants are introduced to a new mindset which helps to engage in difficult conversations. This new mindset becomes a basis for a non-threatening approach to difficult topics, and the result is increased personal confidence and strengthened, trusting relationships. Once we learn how to talk about “what matters most”, even when the subject is really uncomfortable, we feel empowered, and we move matters forward effectively – a crucial step in our personal development, and a valuable initial step prior to work or family mediation.

“Culture is multi-layered — what you see on the surface may mask differences below the surface.”
– Michelle LeBaron

When we don’t understand that people of differing cultures and backgrounds may have quite different starting points, conflict is more likely to occur and to escalate. Often we attribute negative motives to someone’s actions or lack of actions, which then effects our behavior, further resulting in negative impact, and it widens the extent of the conflict. Cultural conflict is present in families, schools, neighborhood, communities and workplaces. Working with cultural conflict presents a tremendous opportunity for community development and understanding.

Our custom workshops are designed to improve “cultural fluency” as a core competency.  Cultural fluency helps people understand that communication, ways of naming, framing, and taming conflict, approaches to meaning-making, and identities and roles vary across cultures.  Contact Sabine to learn about options for customized workshops.

Conflict is any relationship is useful. It is the catalyst to constructive change, and it is how a relationship evolves. When we ask “What is trying to happen?” we move past  “who is doing what to whom”, and we learn about roles, behaviors, dreams  and defaults in a relationship.

Relationships have a life cycle, whether an intimate relationship or a team. The life cycle of relationship can be as long as a lifetime or as short as a day. The ending of a marriage, friendship, team or organization is a natural part of the system cycle. Relationship Systems Coaching can assist in the birth, development and constructive completion of relationship systems.

We use a range of tools and exercises to unfold what the relationship needs, how each member plays a role, and how it can move into a direction that serves everyone. Relationship coaching has been very useful as part of various forms of family mediation.

Sessions usually consist of a combination of one-on-one sessions plus sessions with all parties involved.

Specifically designed to facilitate conversation and understanding between family members of different generations. Often dealt with as part of family mediation, where specific dividing issues are identified and solutions are developed jointly. Frequently cultural conflict situations are underlying causes to the dispute. This type of family mediation usually involves a co-facilitation model, where 2 trained facilitators, one a youth and one an adult, support the parties in exploring their issues in a safe environment. The goal is to reach sustainable solutions as well as to develop and expand the family relationships.

Family mediation sessions usually consist of a combination of initial one-on-one sessions plus subsequent sessions with all parties involved.

Unfortunately often we end up hurting those the most whom we love the most. Whether it is elder care, parent/youth issues or family business matters, families tend to behave in patterns that can do damage to relationships over time and even divide and break up entire families.

Family mediation brings together those family members most involved in the dispute, and each party learns during the facilitated conversation what the factual and emotional issues are for each party. Once the issues are identified, jointly acceptable solutions are developed. The family mediation process is voluntary and allows for significant input from each party – in fact success depends mostly on how motivated all parties are to contribute and to achieve resolution. Things can get emotional and heated, but all along the process is guided and protected by the mediators, who support all parties involved in their efforts to present their case honestly and respectfully.