Houston Mediation Training!~
Select:  basic - advanced - elder mediation

Basic 40 hours Texas Certification Mediation Training

The next basic 40 hours will be June 27, 28, 29, 30, 2013, in Houston.

40 MCLE and 4 in Ethics
This program has been approved for CEUs by the Better Business Bureau Education Foundation.

Register here today!

Don't miss out on starting your mediation career today!        Take advantage of Southwest Airlines' really cheap fares. Are you a student?  Take advantage of the basic mediation $600 student rate.  Proof of status required. Sign up on PayPal! Register for training here!

Manousso Mediation Training has become one of the nation's leading mediation training programs.  Our students come from around the world -literally, although much of the class is from around Texas.  We devote more than the required time for role-plays (70%) and interactive skills that support the role-plays.  When you leave our class, you are ready to mediate, and we encourage you to go forth and be the peace maker. Read our student testimonials from real students with real names and cities.   Our classes are comprised of judges, lawyers, psychologists, human source directors and administrators, teachers, musicians, ministers, priests, rabbis, retired folks, social workers, CPA, other professionals, military brass, librarians, soccer moms, paralegals, and, hopefully, you!

Check registration fees, use PayPal, or send a check to register.   Although our classes are priced to be acce$$ible, the instruction is priceless. Check out the early bird specials, too! The next basic mediation class will be Register NOW:  June 27, 28, 29, 30, 2013. Got a question, email Dr. Barbara Sunderland Manousso. Class meets from 8 AM until 6:30 PM daily! 40 MCLE available ~ 4 in ethics! Ask about all CEU affiliations!

Instructors for the basic mediation course include: Barbara Sunderland Manousso, Ph.D., MPH, NCG, TCG Texas Credentialed Distinguished Mediator Certified Collaborative Law Mediator Lori LaConta, Esq., MBA Texas Credentialed Distinguished Mediator Certified Arbitrator Judge Josefina Rendon, J.D. Former Harris County District Civil Court 165 City of Houston Municipal Judge Texas Credentialed Distinguished Mediator Rita Burns, Ph.D. Certified Ombudsperson and Mediator Joe Bontke EEOC Specialist, Houston Office and Mediator Zak Patel, J.D. Ethics Specialist, Arbitrator, and Mediator Texas Credentialed Mediator Esteban Mayer, Mediator Cultural Diversity Specialist Cindy Chilcote, MSW and Mediation Specialist in Parenting Plans and Memorandum of Understanding Judge Jacqueline Lucci Smith Mediator and former Harris County Judge Melissa Back, J.D. Mediator, Arbitrator, Attorney Randall Butler, J.D., President of ACR - Houston Chapter Executive Director of the Institute for Sustainable Peace Clara Gomez, J.D., MLA, MS Texas Credentialed Distinguished Mediator

Time to sign up!

Mediation is a conflict resolution process in which an impartial third party, the mediator, assists parties involved in disputes to reach a mutually agreeable solution.  The guiding principle of mediation is that all parties have the right to negotiate and attempt to determine the outcome of their conflict.

Successful mediation programs are built on public confidence and understanding.  Mediators bear specific responsibilities to the mediation process, the public, and the Center at which they mediate.  Although mediation is a career in itself, mediation skills are a resume boost for and complements to any careers, but especially those in business, law, human resources, social and hospice workers, clergy, psychology, and medicine. 

The varied backgrounds of trainees make each course rich with opportunities for networking and development of communication skills.

This course is designed to satisfy the 40 classroom hours of training required to mediate court-referred disputes as indicated in the Texas Alternative Dispute Resolution Act § 154.052, Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. This course also meets the Texas Mediator Trainers Roundtable's requirements.
 

Manousso Mediation & Conflict Resolution Coaching and Training is pleased to announce the following Basic Mediation 40 hours Certification Course.

What direction in life do you want to take? For the third year in a row, the career of mediator has made U.S. News & World Report’s list of 30 “Best Careers of 2009.” Read more..... For class registration fees $$ and discounts, click here.

Next basic mediation class held in Houston will be June 27, 28, 29, 30, 2013. Advance Family Divorce and Child Custody Training, July 13, 14, 15, 2013. Elder Mediation Training - July 1 and 2, 2013. Arbitration Training-September 2013 - DTBA. (Basic course that was taken in a classroom is a prerequisite.)    Check out the early bird special.  If you haven't taken the basic course, contact us, to explore your options.

Course includes 40 hours of instruction based on the certification guidelines required by the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association.  Participants who wish to receive Texas certification must attend the whole 40 hours, be 18 years of age or older, and not have any felony on record. 

Registration:  The fee to register for the basic mediation class is $895.  This is a special rate to encourage training, while responding to the current economic climate.  Please send a check addressed to Manousso Mediation at 21 Briar Hollow Lane, Suite 508, Houston, TX 77027, or use PayPal.  Check out our early bird and college student discounts, too!  Corporate group rates available.

Cancelation policy:  Courses can be canceled by Manousso Mediation, if a minimum number of attendees are not met.  Registration money will be refunded or applied to a future class.  If there are not an adequate number of students to hold the class, Manousso Mediation may use their discretion in rescheduling the course.  Manousso Mediation is not liable for any loss or damage due to a course not being held as scheduled. If a student cancels 30 days before the scheduled class, they will be refunded 50% of the paid registration fee.  If a student cancels within thirty days before the scheduled class, there will be no refund of their registration fee.  In all cases though, the paid registration can be applied to a future course. 

                                                                                                       Will you be conducting a mediation at this table?

Venue of Classes: Classes will be held in Houston, Texas. Class Dress:  Business Casual

BACKGROUND
Manousso Mediation & Conflict Resolution Coaching and Training is owned by mediator and lead instructor, Dr. Barbara Sunderland Manousso.  Dr. Manousso has been mediating since 1993.  She mediates in Texas and around the country, being a member of many national professional rosters.  She earned the credential of Texas Certified Distinguished Mediator by the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association (TMCA) and is a member of the Texas Mediation Training and Roundtable.  Her Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution was from Nova Southeastern University.  Her Baccalaureate was from Brown University and Masters in Public Health, from the University of Texas School of Public Health.  She is also certified in coaching, arbitration, negotiation, ombudsman, and facilitation.  This course will be taught with an assembled team of certified professional mediators.

Manousso Mediation & Conflict Resolution Coaching and Training offers this 40 hours basic mediation course based on the recommended minimum standards of the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association (TMCA), to assure quality mediation training throughout Texas.  For more information on Barbara Manousso, please go to http://www.manousso.us.

TRAINING METHODOLOGY
Training methods are designed to help trainees learn, integrate, and apply the knowledge and skills covered in course materials. This will be achieved through participatory activities such as role-plays and mediation observation.

TRAINING CONTENT for Basic Mediation Class
The goal of this course is framed by the nine minimum areas of information that need to be covered in a basic mediation 40 hour training program, which include:

1. History of Mediation
   Trainees will understand the historical perspective of mediation and its evolution over time and as it continues to evolve today.
    
2. Overview of ADR Legislation in Texas
   Trainees will be introduced to legislation that regulates the practice of mediation, so they may comply with relevant legal requirements.
    
3. Conflict Resolution Theory
   The theory of conflict resolution will help trainees differentiate between mediation and other forms of dispute resolution.
   1. Topics include the differences in styles of mediation such as interest-based, problem solving, transformative, facilitative, and collaborative problem solving.
   2. Course discussion will include exploring the differences among conflict resolution tools of mediation, negotiation, and facilitation skills through definitions, types of, sources of, and their role in responding to conflict.
       
4. Mediation Theory and Practice
   Trainees need a theoretical grounding to understand the process fully. Trainees should understand a full range of mediation models in order to serve the parties most effectively.
   1. Topics
      1. Definition of mediation
      2. Role and characteristics of mediators
      3. Theory of mediation
      4. Benefits of the mediation process
      5. Differences in third-party roles: mediators, arbitrators, and judges
      6. Approaches to negotiation used in mediation
      7. Range of styles, types of mediators and mediations
      8. Impact of diversity issues
      9. Court systems and procedures
          
5. Mediation Process and Techniques
   Trainees will use role play in conceptualizing the framework for conducting the mediation session. This requires learning key techniques to assist in managing the session’s process.
   1. Topics to learn in the process of mediation:
      1. Elements of the Mediation Process
         1. Preliminary arrangements/forms to be signed.
         2. Opening and structuring the mediation session
         3. Introduction/orientation of disputants/attorneys
         4. Gathering and exchanging information (venting/opening statements)
         5. Issue and problem clarification
         6. Generating options
         7. Bargaining and negotiation
         8. Agreement writing/enforceability
         9. Closure
      2. Techniques
         1. Trust building
         2. Reframing
         3. Keeping on track, following agenda, managing process
         4. Focusing on interests vs. positions
         5. Building on partial agreements
         6. Caucusing
         7. Reality testing
         8. Working with third parties
         9. Managing difficult people or strong emotions
             
6. Self-Awareness of Trainee
   Trainees will explore how their personal characteristics, values, or biases might influence their ability to perform effectively as a mediator.
   1. Topics
      1. Diversity/cultural awareness (personal biases)
      2. Language differences
      3. Conflict style
      4. How the trainee responds to conflict
      5. Personality/style
          
7. Ethics
   Trainees will learn how to support the effectiveness and credibility of the mediation process through making informed choices based on ethical principles.
   1. Topics
      1. Conflict of interest/appearance of impropriety
      2. Neutrality/impartiality
      3. Confidentiality
      4. Sample of standards recommended by dispute resolution professional organizations
      5. Staying in the role of mediator
      6. Violence, substance abuse, child abuse & neglect, screening, reporting and legal issues
      7. Power imbalances
      8. Liability
      9. Misuse of process
      10. Protecting the process
      11. Awareness of various organizations’ ethical guidelines and grievance processes
           
8. Communication Skills
   Trainees will have an opportunity to learn selected written and oral communication skills in order to foster understanding and trust, elicit relevant information, and accurately track and record key areas of agreement.
   1. Skills
      1. Listening
      2. Note taking
      3. Questioning
      4. Nonverbal communication (i.e., eye contact, body language)
      5. Restating and clarifying
      6. Use of neutral language
      7. Drafting the agreement
      8. Recognizing feelings and emotions of parties
          
9. Professional Considerations
   The trainers will promote the belief that continuing education and development is critical to achieving excellence in mediation. Trainees will learn about the opportunities to continue to learn, to network, to find support within the field, and to establish a professional identity.
   1. Topics
      1. Professional organizations
      2. Networking
      3. Practicum
      4. Continuing education
      5. Aspects of establishing a practice
      6. Community service
      7. Marketing your services
          

      To register with PayPal, click here.
      Or mail a check to:  Manousso Mediation, 21 Briar Hollow Lane, Suite 508, Houston, TX 77027.
      Fax: (713)850-1452

      ---

      Fill in the following information and submit with your check.  Thanks!

      Phone: (713)840-0828

      Name:_______________________________________________________________ Address:______________________________________________________________ City and ZIP code: __________________________________ Email Address:  _____________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________________          Alternative phone: __________________________________ Fax number: _______________________________________ Date  of preferred class:  ____________________________    Total enclosed: $____________ .