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.…
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…
Case study-the value of Litigation Support
Lawyers and professionals working with separated families aim to support clients to achieve their goals in the most respectful and efficient way. Empowering them to be able to make their own decisions is the best outcome, but this is not always possible. In situations where court becomes the necessary last resort, this can be a…
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…
Beyond Mindfulness
There is no doubt that “mindfulness” is important for our wellbeing, happiness and ability to cope with the overload of information and stress of modern life. There is also no doubt that meditation is the key to being able to still our minds, obtain some inner peace and experience love, joy and happiness. I have…
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…