SYMPOSIUM REGISTRATION

If you are a current member of a CP Cal Member Group, please indicate your group when you complete your registration to get the member rate.

Friday Pre-Conference Institutes 9:00 AM-4:00 PM Choose ONE PCI

PCI #1: Wild and Crazy Collaborative Solutions
Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Moderated by: Woody Mosten

Join Forrest “Woody” Mosten as he shares his newest, most cutting-edge strategies for managing complex family dynamics through collaborative practice and mediation. Explore bold approaches such as the litigation freezes, limited scope mediation, having litigation counsel as back-up, and other innovative team protocols that meet families wherever they are—whether early in the conflict or deep in the litigation process. Designed for professionals ready to think outside the box and make a real impact in high-conflict cases.
PCI #2: Beyond the Table: Mapping the Mental Load of Professionals and Clients in Collaborative Practice
Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Moderated by: Brandyn Caires and Jen Schimbeno

This institute explores how Collaborative professionals can skillfully and mindfully structure
their teams, meetings, and processes to best serve clients and reduce burn-out for
professionals. We will identify the components of mental load experienced by both clients and
professionals, and analyze how these impact decision-making, communication and
well-being. We will cover how to structure Collaborative teams and meetings to
enhance efficiency and reduce conflict and how to design a client-centered process
that integrates mindfulness and structure to support clients while navigating the
chaos and making empowered decisions during conflict and transition.

Friday Reception

Friday Reception
4:00PM - 5:15PM Friday Reception
I do not plan on attending

Friday Opening Plenary 5:30PM-6:30PM

Friday Plenary - “I Just Want This Done”: The Foundation for Client-Centered Collaborative Practice
5:30PM - 6:30PM Presented by Raif Palmer

How many times have you heard a client say, "I Just Want This Done?" Raiford Dalton Palmer, bestselling author of the acclaimed book, guides collaborative professionals through the client's journey from this desperate cry to a constructive collaborative resolution. Unpack core strategies
—cost-benefit analysis, the 90/10 problem, the true costs of divorce—to empower your clients, elevate your practice, and lead families to efficient, holistic outcomes. Understand how we got here, key concepts to help your clients, and ways to sell collaborative practice.
I do not plan on attending

Friday Dine Around

Friday Dine Around (No Host Dinner Various Restraurants)
7:00PM -9:00PM

Saturday Breakfast

Saturday Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast
8:00AM – 9:00AM

Saturday 9:00 AM Workshops

Workshop #1 (3 hours) Building with Potential Disaster in Mind: The Role of the Coach in Setting Up a Solid Foundation for a Collaborative Case
9:00AM-12:15PM | Presented by Beth Proudfoot

Every Collaborative divorce faces a crisis at some point. In this training, we’ll dive into the coach’s role at the outset of a case, using acase scenario with red flags at every level as a baseline for a discussion about how coaches can prevent and ameliorate the cultural factors, systemic challenges and emotional and mental health issues which can blow a Collaborative case off course.
Workshop #2 (3 hours): Safeguarding Family Legacies in Collaborative Divorce: Embedding Estate-Planning Best Practices into Every Case
9:00AM-12:15PM | Presented by Peter Johnson

Every divorce rewrites a family’s future. This fast‑paced workshop arms Collaborative Practice attorneys, mental‑health, and financial professionals with practical checklists and human‑centered dialogues that keep wills, trusts, and beneficiary plans aligned with clients’ new realities, while building business opportunities. Unpack California’s limited automatic‑revocation rules, spot red‑flag gaps in outdated plans, and guide blended or high‑conflict families toward harmony, asset protection, and litigation avoidance. Leave ready to embed holistic estate‑update best practices—and safeguard legacies—in every divorce case.
Workshop #3 (1.5 hours): Supercharge Your Professional Team: Exploring Family & Group Dynamics to Build Cohesive Collaborative Teams
9:00AM-10:30AM | Presented by Barbara Townsend and Valerie Scher

This interactive workshop equips collaborative divorce professionals-attorneys, mental health experts, and financial specialists-with practical skills in family systems theory to enhance interdisciplinary teamwork. Through theory, experiential learning, and discussion, participants will examine how individual behaviors and communication patterns shape team dynamics. Real-world scenarios and role plays illuminate issues like power imbalances and conflict escalation. Attendees will learn to apply concepts such as differentiation and triangulation, develop self-awareness, and practice interventions that foster trust, resilience, and effective collaboration for better family outcomes.
Workshop #4 (1.5 hours): Substance Use Issues and Collaborative Divorce: Building Trust and Cooperation
9:00AM-10:30AM | Moderated by Colleen Moore Devire

Substance use often heightens conflict in divorce. This program equips collaborative professionals with practical strategies to move beyond bias and intervene effectively. Attendees will learn how to use empowering conversations, neutral evaluations, professional consultations, and abstinence monitoring tools to build trust and cooperation.
I do not plan on attending

NOTE: If you selected a 3-hour 9:00-12:15 PM workshop above, do not select one of the following 10:45 AM workshops

Saturday 10:45 AM Workshops

Workshop #5 (1.5 hours): Resistance and Refusal and the Child's Brain
10:45AM-12:15PM | Moderated by Bill Eddy

This 90-minute workshop will provide an overview of possibilities when a child
resists contact with a parent during separation and divorce. An emphasis will be
placed on the dynamics of alienation, when the resistance is based on a favored
parent’s alienating behaviors (badmouthing, contact interference, extreme
emotional dysregulation), and on the dynamics of estrangement, when the
resistance is based on a rejected parent’s own behavior (domestic violence, child
abuse, extreme emotional dysregulation). The impact on the child’s brain
development will be described, including the significant brain reorganization that
occurs between ages 9 and 13. How children unconsciously absorb their parent’s
emotions in divorce will be described as well as methods for reducing or stopping
their negative impact.
Workshop #6 (1.5 hours): Seven Crucial Skills for Building a Thriving and Effective Collaborative Practice
10:45AM-12:15PM | Moderated by Ron Ousky

This presentation will focus on seven skills for building and sustain a thriving Collaborative Practice using principals and practical tools developed over the past twenty-five years. Four of these tools are designed for attorneys and three are designed for neutrals, (financial, mental health professionals and mediators.) This workshop will go through each of these seven principles and demonstrate how these tools can transform their Collaborative Practice immediately.
I do not plan to attend this session

Saturday Lunch and Plenary 12:15 PM-1:00 PM

Plenary- Managing Bullies and Other High Conflict People
Plenary 1:00PM - 2:00PM | Moderated by: Bill Eddy

This presentation will explain the general warning signs of high conflict behavior, four approaches to avoid in working with them, and four basic skills for managing them known as the CARS Method®: Connecting with EAR Statements, Analyzing options and making proposals, Responding to hostility and misinformation with BIFF Responses, and Setting Limits and Imposing Consequences. Some specific strategies for negotiating with bullies will be addressed as well as preparing clients with New Ways for Families® skills.

Saturday 2:15 PM Workshops

Workshop #7 (3 hours) When the Room Tilts: Holding the Still Center in Collaborative Practice
2:15PM-5:30PM | Presented by Shawn Weber

Let’s face it. There is a lot of chaos in the world today. Many of us walk into cases already off balance just from hearing the news on the way to work. This institute helps you return to the Still Center, the calm and clear space in the eye of the storm where we Collaborators do our magic. From that grounded place, you can steady yourself, align your team, and offer calm presence to your clients. Learn how to hold the room when emotions run high and the process starts to tilt.
Workshop #8 (3 hours):AI and Collaborative Magic; A playful workshop for peacemaking pioneers
2:15PM-5:30PM | Presented by Judge Lucky

Join this lively, hands-on workshop exploring how AI can enhance your Collaborative Practice while preserving its heart: helping families transition with dignity. No tech expertise required! Practitioners from all disciplines will experiment with ethical AI applications, workshop real scenarios, and discover practical tools that strengthen interdisciplinary teamwork. Come curious, leave inspired—and find unexpected ways technology can amplify your collaborative superpowers while keeping families at the center.
Workshop #9 (1.5 hours):The Family Home is a Tinderbox - Managing Conflict Using Family Systems Theory
2:15PM-3:45PM | Presented by Heidi Tuffias, Jon Kramer, RJ Thomas, Dawn Strachan

Family Systems Therapy was created to work with families in crisis. No crisis is greater to a divorcing family than what to do with the family home. This workshop is geared to the interdisciplinary team with a focus on providing concrete systemic tools for working with the divorcing family on one of the biggest potential crises that they will face: what to do with the family home. The attorney-financial-mental health panel will discuss how to utilize the family systems therapy model in a CDR process by focusing on legal financial and emotional conversations related to home, grief and loss, fear of losing self and how children will fare in change.
Workshop #10 (1.5 hours): Write Your Book in 30 Days: A Powerful Tool for Collaborative Practice Professionals
2:15PM-3:45PM | Presented by Peter Johnson

In just 30 days, you could write a book that opens doors, builds trust, and positions you as a go-to expert in your field. This interactive session is designed specifically for Collaborative Practice professionals. Learn how to uncover the story your clients need to hear, repurpose existing content, use AI to supercharge your writing, and turn your experience into a professional asset. Walk away with tools, topic ideas, publishing resources, and the inspiration to get started—now.
Workshop #11 (1.5 hours): Navigating Federal Policies to Better Support Vulnerable Clients and Ourselves
2:15PM-3:45PM | Presented by Charles Spiegel and Anne Mania, ESQ.

What people are under present specific threat, and how can we as divorce professionals help? Non-Citizens, Transgender People, LGBTQ+ People and Families, Judges? Whoever is next in October. The two attorney presenters have varied backgrounds to guide our conversation so we learn and share experiences, understandings, and resources we can each use.
I do not plan to attend this session

NOTE: If you selected a 3-hour 2:15-5:30 PM workshop above, do not select the following 3:45 PM workshop

Saturday 3:45 PM Workshop

Workshop #12 (1.5 hours): Managing Bias and Conflict: The Real Estate Wild Card
4:00 PM-5:30PM | Presented by Matthius Gertz

This course teaches family law attorneys, and allied professionals such as MFT and financial analysts, how to ethically manage real estate issues in divorce by integrating Certified Divorce Lending and Real Estate Professionals. Learn to ensure full disclosure, neutrality, and enforceable agreements while minimizing bias and post-divorce disputes. Gain practical strategies to protect clients, safeguard children’s housing stability, and craft durable settlements with expert financial insight.
Workshop #13 (1.5 hours): The Rejected Parent: Reconnect and Rebuild Your Relationship with Your Child Using Powerful Attachment Based Skills
4:00 PM-5:30PM | Presented by Cathy Himlin

The Rejected Parent provides a step-by-step guide to help Parents rebuild their relationship with their child after rejection. Using skills from attachment theory and Emotion-Focused Family Therapy, parents learn to attune to their child’s needs, listen empathetically, and co-regulate intense emotions after separation. They also learn to be less reactive to inaccurate narratives and meet their child where they are developmentally. Therapists and attorneys can support parents in moving past the pains of estrangement and fostering a lasting, healthy bond.
Workshop #14 (1.5 hours): Collaborative Professionals as Peacemakers
4:00 PM-5:30PM | Presented by Forest "Woody" Mosten

This workshop focuses on the use of peacemaker values and prevention of future conflict. Using Woody’s published peacemaker pledge and ground-breaking work in client selection of professionals and meaningful closing ceremonies, Woody will provide both inspiration, peacemaker protocols and practice materials for you to upgrade and deepen your practice.
I do not plan to attend this session

Saturday 5:30PM-10:00 PM, Reception 5:30PM - 6:15PM, Dinner & Eureka Awards 6:15PM-7:00PM, Entertainment 7:00PM - 10:00PM

Saturday CPCal Reception, Dinner and Eureka Awards, Entertainment
(No Additional Charge for Conference Registrants)
Guests are invited $150.00
I do not plan to attend this session

Sunday 8:00 AM Breakfast

Sunday Breakfast
8:00 AM-9:00 AM

Sunday 9:00 AM Workshops

Plenary (1 hour): Redefining the New Paradigm: Innovative Informed Consent Protocols to Help Restructuring Families
9:15AM-10:15AM | Presented by Woody Mosten

Forrest “Woody” Mosten explores how truly informed consent can reshape the way we support restructuring families. Client Informed Consent is the bedrock of both high-level collaborative competence and building a collaborative practice. From fee transparency and
client-driven agendas to team selection and emotional support integration, this session offers practical protocols that empower clients, clarify costs, and deepen trust. Legal, mental health, and financial professionals will walk away with fresh tools to align ethical practice with real-life client needs.
Workshop #15 (1 hours):Better Collaborative Case Outcomes Through Continuous Learning
10:30AM-12:00PM | Presented by Valerie Frankel and Scott Gallucci

The Retrospective, presented by Scott Gallucci - Management and Technology Consultant, and Valerie Frankel, LMFT, Collaborative Divorce Coach (Sacramento Collaborative Divorce Group), emphasizes continuous learning through collaborative case retrospectives. It demonstrates an effective process for assessing learning opportunities at the process, team, and individual levels and emphasizes the importance of reflection, capturing learnings, prioritizing changes, designing improvements, and integrating them into future work. Learn techniques to keep continuous learning a meaningful part of your team culture.
Workshop #16 (1.5 hours): New to Collaborative? Let's Get You Some Cases!
10:30AM-12:00PM | Presented by Beth Proudfoot

Joining a practice group is a great start. And you get bonus points for coming to this conference! Let’s dive into other things you can do to jumpstart your Collaborative case load. Please bring your laptop or tablet and your sense of playfulness and humor. Marketing should be fun!
Workshop #17 (1.5 hours):Divorce Transitions - Building a Compassionate Referral Network
10:30AM-12:00PM | Presented by Jill Carrade, Allison Berardi, Lisa-Jane(LJ) Toberton, Amelia Plump, Harold Deblander, Barbara Sobel, Lauren DiCerbo, Dylan Schoeben

Navigating the transition from marriage to single life is more than a legal process—it’s
emotional, financial, personal, and deeply human. This presentation introduces a trusted
network of professionals dedicated to helping therapists, family law attorneys, and financial
advisors refer clients to reliable, compassionate resources that make a real difference
during and after divorce.
Workshop #18 (1.5 hours): Team Tools for Tough Cases - High Conflict Clients & Professionals in Collaborative Divorce
10:30AM-12:00PM | Presented by Patricia Van Haren, Carol Hughes, Amy Clews, Dawn Strachan

This interdisciplinary panel explores effective strategies for managing high-conflict personalities, such as those exhibiting narcissism, coercive control, or substance abuse traits in the collaborative divorce process. A Collaborative Lawyer, Neutral Family Specialist, and two Neutral Financial Specialists will share tools for containment, team alignment, and ethical decision-making. Attendees will gain insight into maintaining safety, upholding process integrity, and knowing when to pause, or exit collaboration. Practical takeaways and real-world case examples will support professionals facing these increasingly common challenges.
I do not plan to attend this session

Sunday Closing Plenary 12:00 PM-12:30 PM

Closing Plenary 12:00PM- 12:30PM
Presented by CP Cal President Patricia Van Haren
I do not plan to attend this session

Name

Company Name

Phone Number

Yes, it's okay to send me text messages including confirmations, changes, and updates. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel. View our terms of service & privacy policy.

Address

Profession

Name of Practice Group (to receive member registration rate)

Is this the first time attending this Symposium?

We ask each of our members and supporters to consider a donation equivalent to at least one billable hour. Your financial support will allow us to expand our public outreach to serve more families in transition and more Collaborative practitioners.

Donate to CP Cal

Add 3% to my donation to cover credit card fees.

Presentation materials will be available free of charge on the website in advance of the conference.

Session CE Credits are under review.

Public Attendance List

No, do not include my name in the public attendance list
Yes, include my name in the public attendance list

Running Total

$0.00

Total

$0.00

Coupon Code

CANCELLATION POLICY: Full refund less a $50 administrative fee if canceled by September 1, 2025. 50% refund if canceled by October 1, 2025. No refunds thereafter.

Event Registration Software by RegFox