Fall 2021 Virtual Civil and Family Mediation Trainings a Success

We (CCMA founders Dr. Charlene Berquist and Heather Blades) have a nearly 20-year track record for offering outstanding mediation training. When we transitioned to providing this training in a virtual instructor-led format in the fall of 2020 for the Center for Dispute Resolution at Missouri State University, we made great efforts to ensure participants would continue to have an outstanding training experience via Zoom.

This past October and November we again offered our mediation training virtually, and our participants agreed it was an engaging, enjoyable, and professionally enriching experience.

Fall 2021 Mediation Trainings Recap
We are experienced with offering highly interactive online training that incorporates lecture, small group activities, discussion, role play, and other dynamic elements in a socially-distanced format. Our fall mediation trainings continued this tradition.

The trainings, led by CCMA founder Dr. Charlene Berquist, with Associate Director Heather Blades providing Zoom production and technical support and administration, incorporated guest presentations and mediation role play coaching from 17 professional mediators (with experience in all types of mediation, including civil mediation, family mediation, employment mediation, dependency mediation, and more).

Our 53 attendees came from across Missouri, as well as from Arkansas, Arizona, Illinois, Maryland, and Texas. They included attorneys, mental health practitioners, social workers, educators, faith leaders, and other professionals, as well as advanced Missouri State students.

Attendees Thrilled with Virtual Training Model
The virtual format of our mediation training makes the event accessible and convenient while still providing an unparalleled learning experience.

Attendee evaluations of this training were outstanding, with participants universally indicating that the trainers were knowledgeable, that the training was well organized, that the structure and format were engaging, that participation and interaction were encouraged, and that the training met or exceeded their expectations.

In the words of a few of our participants:

• Absolutely wonderful training!! I’ve completed a lot of different classes over the years, and this one may be my favorite one so far due to the organization, high quality of instruction, role plays, and incredible support throughout.
• I was really impressed with all the training methods and tools used, and how seamlessly everyone...worked together to create such a wonderful learning experience for each of us.
• Each part of the 5 days of training was insightful and served a purpose. My personal favorite parts were the first 3 days of training with all the incredible content and instruction given around foundations in mediation, communication styles, conflict management approaches, etc.
• I was concerned about how we were going to be able to interact since it was via Zoom, but it was done so wonderfully it felt like we were in the room together.
• There wasn’t a single coach I had that I did not learn something from. I appreciated the variety in background and experience.
• I learned so much from you all! I think this training is just the tip of the iceberg and there is so much more to learn.
• Overall, I really, really enjoyed this experience. I didn’t quite know what to expect coming into it, but was excited to find that it more than exceeding any expectations and I loved the learning experience very much.
• I think that participation and interaction were very much encouraged. Being put into roles and mediations this way… forced me out of my comfort zone, but in a very good way.
• I am honestly blown away at how much I’m taking away from the training. I feel prepared to do whatever I want to do next, and have the knowledge of how to do it.
• While I have a long way to go, I do feel very prepared to begin my career in mediation. I also feel very supported and that there is a safety net should I ever need help.

For More Information on Mediation Training
For more information on CCMA's mediation training offerings, check our training page or join our mailing list. Or, to learn about customized mediation or conflict management training, contact CCMA founder Dr. Charlene Berquist at [email protected].