CP Cal Celebration

Schedule at a Glance

Schedule Details

PRE-CONFERENCE INSTITUTES

When You Realize There’s Narcissist in the Room
Sharon Ellison and Ami Atkinson Combs
Detecting a charming client’s narcissism is difficult – until ego driven demands and lack of empathy suddenly derail collaborative process. We’ll work together on pitfalls to avoid using Powerful Non-Defensive Communication™ – making simple changes in in intention, voice tone, body language, and phrasing when asking questions, giving feedback, and holding clear boundaries.

CELEBRATION

Opening Plenary: Discovering and Dealing with Innate Unconscious Bias
Dr. Sacha Joseph-Matthews
This presentation is designed to educate participants on the various dynamics at play in team environments as it pertains to Unconscious or Implicit Bias. Participants will be exposed to fundamental knowledge, tools and resources to identify, address and minimize unconscious bias in their dealings with both clients and fellow team members. We will discuss some of the natural conflict that can arise when individuals of diverse backgrounds come together in teams and demonstrate how differences in communication styles, leadership and backgrounds, coupled with the impact of media and other societal influences, can lead to stereotypical profiles of fellow team members as well as clients.

#1 Introduction to Regenerative Family Dynamics
Peter W. Johnson, Jon Young, Lonner Holden
In an increasingly formulaic and data-driven world, the future belongs to professionals who can connect with – and make a lasting difference in- the lives of our clients and their families. Humans fundamentally need connection to grow and prosper. Yet the siren calls of isolation, mistrust, and estrangement beckon the wounded and battle-weary. This workshop is designed to introduce fresh insights and approached, affording us renewal, and allowing us to tap into our innate, natural capacity to connect and heal relational systems.

#2 Understanding Micro-Macro Behaviors and Aggressions Which Impact Inclusive Workplace Cultures
Dr. Sacha Joseph-Matthews
This presentation will explore the different types of micro behaviors common within team dynamics, the perceived differences between micro behaviors and aggressions and the cumulate impact of these behaviors on group dynamics, work relationships and the safe space collaborative practices try to facilitate on a day to day basis. The presentation will also demonstrate how differences in communication styles, leadership and backgrounds, coupled with the impact of media and other societal influences, can lead to prolonged exposure to micro behaviors by certain marginalized populations. These interactions can ultimately chip away at policies and procedures designed to create more inclusive work teams and result in diminished returns on DEIB strategies and programs alike. Participants will leave the workshop with strategies to help reduce the occurrence of and mitigate the impact of micro behaviors/aggressions in their respective teams.

#3 In the Trenches With a Challenging Case: Find Out What Exactly Do Collaborative Trusts and Estates Professionals Actually Do- What’s the ‘Cross-Over’ for Collaborative Divorce Professionals?
Joseph Kuo, Alan Nobler, Nancy Ross
Helping troubled families trying to resolve estate planning issues while managing long-standing intra-family disagreements presents a unique challenge to Collaborative professionals. Experience what it’s like to be in a conflicted family and find a way forward with the guidance of an experienced Collaborative team. Be a part of learning how to shift even entrenched positions while helping family elders achieve their goals.

#4 Divorcing Your Mortgage: Reverse mortgage – Tools of Collaboration
Marc Gertz & Rhonda May
With a “Grey Divorce” epidemic tripling the number of couples over the age of 62 divorcing, it behooves the divorce professional to know the answers to the questions. Unlike Solomon, who suggested dividing the child, we have to deal with the estate and often the family house. This course will concentrate on real estate settlement solutions utilizing mortgage products with options repayments plans. Take a walk on the wild side of lending.

#5 Moore/Marsden, Family Code Section 2640 and Other Real Property Apportionment Models. How Do You Calculate Those Things?
Ron J. Anfuso
Have you ever wondered how the various cases related to real property apportionments are applied to the complex fact patterns found sin your collaborative cases? This presentation will walk the participant through real property apportionments from a simple Moore/Marsden calculation through more complex models with transmutations, refinances, improvements, and other interested scenarios.

#6 Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy – A Transformative Treatment Option
Anne Tamar-Mattis, Celeste Monnette, Suegee Tamar-Mattis
As your clients navigate a period that can be both turbulent and transformative, some of them may have questions about a practice that has been much in the news lately: psychedelic medicine. Some may have even had encounters with these medicines, bringing their stories and insights to the Collaborative table. But what is psychedelic medicine? What is the scientific basis? How can curious clients find safe, reputable practitioners? This workshop provides an introduction to this topic for MHPs and others.

#7 The Collaborative Guidebook: A Roadmap and Tools for the Collaborative Process (Revisited)
Steven Rutlen, April Maynard & Linda Tell
The Collaborative Guidebook is used by both the clients and the Collaborative Team throughout the case.The Guidebook provides the clients with tools to help them manage their emotions and significantly improves their ability to work more efficiently and productively with their spouse. We will provide an introduction to the content and use of the Guidebook and how it can enhance the quality of our collaborative cases.

Saturday Plenary: The Burr Under the Saddle: How Unresolved Marital Issues Fester in the Divorce Process
Sherry Cassedy, & Matt Sullivan
At the heart of most divorces is a marriage, unresolved, out-of-sight, sometimes acknowledged, but always spurring significant dynamics in the divorce process. Bringing their respective expertise in family law and psychology, these presenters will examine the types of marital issues that get played out in the divorce transition, including power differentials, traumatic or ambivalent separation, and stages of letting go. They will discuss strategies for family law professionals to recognize and manage these dynamics within the divorce process.

#8 Anchoring While Expanding: The Unique Creative Role of the Child Specialist
Nancy J. Ross & Ariella Goodwine-Fisher
This workshop will challenge both Child Specialists and their team members to ‘think outside of the box’ for new, innovative ideas to help children and teens, while gaining a deeper understanding of the rationale and ethics behind the Child Specialist’s creation. Using an actual case to stimulate ideas, presenters will also discuss the “Top 10 mistakes Child Specialists make and how to avoid them.”

#9 From SIMPLE to Sophisticated: Small Business Retirement Plans
Russel L. Phelps III
Retirement plan options for small business and professional clients. This seminar has been approved for 1 hour of CPE credit. During this seminar, we’ll cover: Retirement plans that are suitable for small businesses, IRA-based retirement plans and features, Qualified retirement plans and features, and plan considerations during divorce.

#10 Why Collaborative Professionals Should Be LGBTQIA Allies (And What Do All Those Letters Mean?)
Kathy Campbell, Gwen Matthewson, Mary Sakaguchi, Ariella Shuster
Creating a safe and understanding space for LGBTQIA clients is important for all of us as discriminatory
legislation and violence against the community increases. Being an ally requires us to 1) examine our own biases; 2) create safe and welcoming spaces; and 3) learn from the community about their culture and needs. We will discuss these and other necessities to being an ally.

#11 Discernment Counseling – A Possible Solution to Divorce Ambivalence
Ann Cerney, Nina Raff, LCSW
Learn about Discernment Counseling. For the various professionals contacted by couples considering divorce, Discernment Counseling if a referral for couples who are not certain they want a divorce. The goal of Discernment Counseling to bring clarity and confidence to both spouses about a future direction for their relationship based on a deeper understanding of what’s happened in the marriage and each person’s contributions to the problems.

#12 Silicon Valley Entities: Structures and Equity Compensation
Michele Bissada, Mark Flowers, Elaina Serrote
Employee compensation, founders’ equity stakes, and venture capital structures are necessary
 structures to understand in a Collaborative setting. This class will be a deep dive into how Silicon Valley entities are funded and compensate employees. We will take a look at venture capital structure, how founders trade that capital for ownership, and how employee’s non-cash (RSU, incentive/nonqual stock options, SAR, PSUs) compensation works.

#13 Help, We Need a Lifeline: Assisting The Divorcing Family To Function Using Structural Family Systems Therapy Techniques
Jon Kramer, Kimberly Davidson, Heidi Tuffias, RJ Thomas
Structural Family Systems Therapy was created to work with families in crisis. No crisis is greater to a family than divorce. This workshop is geared to the interdisciplinary team with a focus on providing concrete tools for working with the divorcing family. Concepts will be discussed such as neutrality, blocking, unbalancing, and interrupting ingrained “homeostatic” patterns that have perpetuated dysfunction and conflict. The attorney-mental health panel will discuss how to utilize the structural family therapy model in the CDR process.

#14 Divorce Recovery and Wellness
Valerie Sher, PhD
Recovery and wellness following divorce requires supporting the intensity of grief/loss and moving out of crisis, victim, blame and persecution to a more strengths-based, problem solving, empowered position. Learn the steps involved in divorce recovery and the tools to help clients use divorce as a learning and growth experience rather than a failure.

#15 Residential Real Estate Appraisals: What you and your client should know in a changing market
Kelley Christensen
This workshop covers a variety of residential real estate topics including: recent real estate market statistics and trends, how these trends are determined, and how they affect the current value of a home. You will leave knowing what to expect regarding the appraisal process and how value is determined. The information presented will prepare you to inform and advise your clients, objectively, to aid in negotiations and develop realistic settlement options regarding the division of residential real estate.

#16 How the Insight Approach to Conflict Resolution Facilitates Better Outcomes in Collaborative Divorce and Mediation
Kathy Campbell & Carol R. Hughes
Collaborative professionals commit to in-depth and ongoing training so we can do excellent work, but what about our clients? This interactive workshop teaches tips and tools of the Insight Approach and Powerful Non-Defensive Communication® to help clients be more introspective and curious about themselves and their spouses, thereby minimizing their defensiveness and positioning. Participants will practice starting and continuing essential conversations about vital topics like decision-making, trust, communication, and conflict to support dialogue, not debate, and learn when to intervene and when not to.

#17 Leveraging CPCAL’s Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 Public Education Strategy Into Your Practice
Tim Crouch, Charles Crouch, Camille Milner
Collaborative Divorce awareness is growing across California. This presentation will focus on Tier 1,2, and 3 strategies that will enable your practice to take advantage of the growing brand awareness by leveraging these initiatives into your practice and get more Collaborative cases. Participants will walk away with a customized plan for their practice

Closing Plenary: “Facing Fear” Exclusive Screening and Q&A
Ft. Director Jason Cohen and film subjects Tim Zaal and Matthew Bogner
An exclusive screening of “Facing Fear”, the Oscar®-nominated short documentary by Director Jason Cohen, about forgiveness between a former Neo-Nazi and the gay man he beat and left for dead 25 years earlier. Jason Cohen and the film’s subjects Tim Zaal and Matthew Bogner will be available for a Q&A along with the screening