Alienating behaviours and high conflict personalities
Those working with family disputes are well aware of the importance of children having a meaningful relationship with both of their parents. It is well documented that the absence of this is likely to lead to difficulty with future relationships and less well mental health outcomes for these children. Resistance to spending time with the…
The importance of the separation process and the impact on high conflict people
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross first published her text “On Death and Dying” in 1970. This was based on her research and experiences with dying patients. In her preface she describes her book as “an account of a new and challenging opportunity to refocus on the patient as a human being, to include him in dialogues, to learn…
Quietening the Lizard Brain-tips for intake
As FDRPs and professionals working with family disputes, we come to recognize those clients who are stuck in the reptilian part of the brain, where fight, flight and freeze are the automatic responses. Neuroscience tells us that working with clients in this state is extremely difficult, and rational thinking and problem solving are unrealistic expectations.…
Current Family Violence Issues
I was recently lucky enough to be invited recently to attend training presented by Northern Integrated Family Violence Services. Understanding of family violence (FV), how to recognise it, and how to assist parties to cope with it, is a dynamic area, constantly evolving and developing. The prevalence of FV is astounding-1 in every 3 Australian…
Lessons for FDR from Restorative Engagement
Jodie Grant recently presented a webinar for Resolutions Institute where she shared her considerable experience as an FDRP with family disputes, and as a facilitator with the Defence Abuse Response Taskforce (DART) working with those who have suffered institutional abuse. She provided some fascinating insights as to the similarities and differences between these different areas.…
The lure of ‘Mountain’ and the ACO
I recently attended the cinematic and musical odyssey with the Australian Chamber Orchestra “Mountain”. This is described as an essay on our fascination with mountains, how they challenge us, and how we respond. The combination of wonderful music and epic photography is powerful. An experience that remains with you, returning at unexpected moments, with notes…
The Merchant of Venice-winner or loser?
The Merchant of Venice is another masterpiece where Shakespeare presents us with a variation on a fairytale situation that we are all familiar with, to expose our frailties as humans, to give us added insight and understanding. Bassanio is in love with the great lady Portia, and needs funds to be in a position where…
Breakfast Networking Seminar-Capacity for Decision Making 16 August 2017
Join me and two experienced professionals to discuss the important topic of “Capacity for Decision Making”. So often in family disputes there are important factors impacting on parties ability to make good decisions. These need to be identified, assessments need to be made as to the most appropriate process for the family to engage in…
Case study-a tool for intake
This week I attended a meeting of the Special Interest Group run by VADRA (the Victorian Alternate Dispute Resolution Association). This is a group of professionals interested in dispute resolution and coming together from all different areas and perspectives. There were presentations from experienced practitioners to illustrate their approach to their work, with the aim…
A paradigm shift for fundamental change
A paradigm shift involves a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions. It creates a situation in which the usual and accepted way of doing or thinking about something changes completely. There have been those rare individuals who have had the genius to challenge thinking in their time, and create something novel and different as…