People come to Volunteers of America Dispute Resolution Center from all over the United States to learn how to manage conflict. Our professional training is of the highest caliber, created and developed over the last twenty years through extensive experience in the conflict management field. Our trainers demonstrate a great breadth of skill and insight and use interactive instruction to provide a variety of lecture, discussion and practice sessions for participants

The nationally-recognized gold-standard curriculum listed below covers many different course offerings through the Dispute Resolution Center.  Interested parties can choose from a variety of Puget Sounds locations throughout the year.  We usually publish current training dates 4-6 months in advance, and individuals and organizations are welcome to enroll in any published training at any time.

Our trainers also are available to travel to off-site training locations, and do - flying all over the country to present their gold standard conflict management curriculum.   Contact us if you have questions, or would like more information.

• Basic Professional Mediation Training (40 hours) 

Basic Professional Mediation training is an intensive five days of learning to be a neutral third party - a mediator. Participants will learn the eight-stage mediation model, conflict theory and styles, mediator communication skills, interest-based negotiations, collaborative problem solving, the mediator’s role and principles of conflict resolution. Clock Hours, CLEs and college credits are available.  This course also meets the mediation training requirements for Collaborative Law professionals.  Cost:  $765   Click here for a full Training Schedule

• Resolving Conflict in the Workplace (6 hours)

Our Conflict Resolution 101 training is intended to help people retool how they manage conflict in the workplace. Learn how to promote teamwork and cooperation. Key issues covered: conflict styles, identification of issues and interests, communication skills, and the four-step conflict resolution process.  Cost: $160    Click here for a full  Training Schedule

• Family Mediation Training (24 hours)

Family Mediation Training teaches mediators how to help families resolve conflicts, with a primary focus on helping couples through a dissolution.  You will learn how to handle emotionally volatile situations, help parents focus on the needs of their children in order to create and modify parenting plans that work for everyone as well as tips and techniques for dealing with difficult family cases.   Cost: $415 Click here for a full Training Schedule

• The Power of Process: Facilitation for Challenging Times (35 hours)

Facilitation training teaches how to assess, design, prepare and lead effective meetings.  This includes how to facilitate for consensus, deal with conflict, implement "what to do when" strategies and assist groups in problem solving and decision making.  Instructor Kay Haaland, training flyer and bio. Cost: $250 before Sept 10, $275 after  Click here for a registration form.

• Advanced Mediation Skills (6 hours)

Advanced Mediation Skills provides additional tools for more experienced mediators.  This training goes beyond mediation theory and covers skills for more difficult mediations.  Areas of focus will include: advanced questioning techniques, breaking through impasse and tips for using caucus efficiently.  Cost: $160     Training Schedule

• School Trainings (Varies)

Dispute Resolution Center has provided a variety of trainings to school administrators, teachers and students.  Trainings include conflict resolution skills for staff and students as well as peer mediation training for students.  Feel free to contact us to customize a training that works for your school.  

• Prison Trainings

For over 15 years , Dispute Resolution Center has operated training programs for inmates at the Monroe Correctional Complex.  These trainings teach inmates mediation skills they can use within the prison as well as conflict resolution skills they can use once they are released.  Both sets of skills can help integrate inmates back into society.

• Professional Development and Continuing Education Credits

In addition to learning valuable life skills, many former students have received continuing education credits, clock hours and college credits for completing our trainings.  Certain Dispute Resolution Center trainings are accredited through Western Washington University and clock hours are available through the Puget Sound Educational Service District.  Continuing Legal Education Credits can be received through the Washington State Bar Association and other CE credits may be available through other professional organizations.