2018 Case Consultation Group with Michael Lang

apfmnet.org/case-consultation-group-2/

(available only to APFM members)

What is this program and why should I participate?

The problem to solve

Many mediators work alone, in their own individual bubbles.
Our actions are observed only by the parties and their counsel. We seldom solicit their
feedback. We have little, if any, basis for understanding whether our efforts were useful,
effective, and responsive—apart from whether the dispute was resolved.
This inability to be observed, or to observe colleagues, can be quite detrimental,
because without it there is little to guide our own improvement.
In many other professions, there is an established process for supervision. While
beginning mediators may receive mentoring as part of their initial training, or in order to
become “certified,” there are few outlets for regular supervision and coaching.
There are very few structured opportunities for mediators to engage with other mediators
to discuss difficult or unusual situations and to seek advice.
Soliciting feedback from mediation participants is generally limited to participation in
research projects or involvement with court-based mediation programs.
Conference sessions, training courses, and other educational programs largely deal with
the acquisition of new techniques and strategies. Learning to apply these new skills in
their practices is left to the mediators. Filling one’s tool box is not the same as being
adept at knowing when, how, and why those tools can be most effectively used.

What can I learn?

The following are some questions asked by mediators seeking to improve the quality and
effectiveness of their practices.

How do I know that I am doing the best I can?

What interventions were truly helpful, and which were off the mark?
Apart from settlement rates, how can I understand whether my efforts are as effective
and resourceful as possible?
How do I learn from difficult and frustrating experiences or from surprising successes?

When will the group meet?

On the 3rd Thursday of each month for six months, from February 22 through July 19, 2018, at
noon Eastern U.S. time, mediators will meet via Zoom (a video conferencing platform) for a 90-
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minute conversation facilitated by Michael Lang. (Note that the February meeting is actually on
the 4th Thursday, to give people an extra week for joining the group.)

How will it work?

The group will be limited to ten members. Participants will be encouraged to bring practice
questions—those that arose because of an unexpected success or an event that was
unsettling or surprising. Michael will lead the conversation, using the methods and concepts of
reflective practice to help clarify the problem, understand its origin and its impact, and discover
new approaches for dealing with the situation. The goal of these discussions is for participants
to become more adept, resourceful and effective mediators.

Michael Lang
Michael Lang has been a mediator, educator,
author and advocate for mediation for more
than 35 years. As a family mediator, Michael
has assisted divorcing couples, helped
resolve probate and other family conflicts, and
worked with owners of family businesses to
address intra-family disputes. As a trainer, he
has designed and presented introductory and
advanced mediation and conflict management
courses and workshops in the US and
internationally. As an educator, Michael
created one of the first graduate programs in
conflict resolution in the US at Antioch
University in 1992. He served in a similar role
at Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC. He has been a visiting faculty member at a number
of graduate and law schools in the US, Canada and Trinidad.

Michael has served on the boards of directors, and as an officer, of local, regional, state, and
national professional conflict resolution organizations. He served as president of the Academy
of Family Mediators (AFM) and served as a member of its Board of Directors.

As an author and editor, Michael served as Editor-in-Chief of AFM’s Mediation Quarterly (now
Conflict Resolution Quarterly) from 1995-2001, and as a member of its editorial board from
1988-2007. Michael has authored a number of articles on mediation practice, and is co-author
of The Making of a Mediator: Developing Artistry in Practice, published in 2000 by Jossey Bass
Publishers.

To learn more about Michael’s concept of reflective practice and his role as a facilitator, read
this article.

How Much Does it Cost?

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The cost is just $200 per participant for this six-month program. That is the amount you would
ordinarily pay a mentor for a 30-minute consultation. This low fee, a benefit for APFM
members, covers nine hours of conferring with other mediators and with a great mentor.

How to Register
You must be logged in as an APFM member to register for this group. Login help is available
here.

To register, go to this page.

To be sure that you receive confirmation of registration, add these addresses to your safe
senders list: info@apfmnet.org and

webmaster@apfmnet.org.
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