The Mediation and Training Collaborative is dedicated to helping individuals, schools, businesses and community organizations increase their capacity for effective communication, conflict resolution, and team work.

Basic Mediation Training

"Beautiful, well-organized manual. Enthusiastic and insightful coaches. Generous, smart, energetic trainers. I'm very impressed and learned a lot about mediation and about training methods. Thank you!!!"  - Training Participant

A 30-hour basic mediation training is conducted each fall and spring. This highly interactive hands-on training is open to individuals who wish to increase their ability to help others deal with conflict, whether as mediators or in their current work settings. TMTC is a Massachusetts Bar Association - approved mediation training provider.

Divorce Mediation Training

"I would highly recommend this course to people who are entering this field. The wealth of experience of the trainers was evident."  - Training Participant

An advanced mediation training focusing on the special legal and emotional issues involved in mediation with separating, dovorcing, or post-divorce couples. Addresses issues related to division of assets and debts, parenting, spousal support, taxes, intake and screening, dealing with high conflict and mediator ethics. Coached role plays provide opportunities to integrate knowledge and skills. Pre-requisite: 30 hours of Basic Mediation Training.

Communication and Conflict Resolution

"More please! Effective communication - my eyes were opened. This is a tool that paves the pathway of advocacy, leadership, building relationships and community. We all need to learn this!"  - Training Participant

In this training, participants build on current communication strengths, explore ways to increase communication effectiveness and improve skill in handling conflict. Topics may include how to separate people from problems, speak for oneself, clarify issues, de-escalate a dispute, engage in win-win problem-solving, say no, deal with the anger of others, or handle one's own anger, anxiety and dfensiveness. Each workshop is designed to fit the specific requirements of the organization or group. Skills addressed depend on the needs of the organization and the length of the workshop, which varies from 3 to 15 hours.

Dealing with "Difficult" People

"Useful skills that anyone could use in all walks of life."  - Training Participant

Conflicts between staff members or between staff and the public are frequent sources of workplace stress. This training helps participants learn how to use skillful communication to bring out the best in people acting at their worst while managing their own anger, anxiety and defensiveness. 3 to 6 hour training.

Myers-Briggs Introductory Workshop

"Interesting to learn and think about other staff members' "types"...Having this new information provides me with a helpful perspective. It's always great to learn more about myself."  - Training Participant

Using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® as a tool for more effective communication and teamwork. Differences in personal styles can be a source of either conflict or increased effectiveness in daily interactions. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® is a tool to help individuals increase awareness of their own strengths and preferred styles while enhancing their understanding and appreciation for the styles of others. This workshop introduces the Myers-Briggs and begins an exploration of how it can be used to improve communication and teamwork. Myers-Briggs Applications Workshops (see below) provide additional in-depth work with applying this information specifically to the areas of communication, decision-making, conflict resoltion or organizational change. This workshop is 4 hours.

Myers-Briggs Applications Workshop

"The most important thing I learned was about working to understand others' perspectives and how to get to the point where reconciliation is a viable option." 
- Training Participant

Available only after completion of a Myers-Briggs Introductory Workshop (see above). Each two-hour Applications Workshop builds on the understanding of preferences and type gained in the Introductory Workshop. Applications Workshops help individuals explore how to maximize their strengths, balance their weaknesses and negotiate their differences in order to increase effectiveness, productivity and job satisfaction. Applications Workshops are offered in four areas: Communication, Decision-Making, Conflict Resolution, or Dealing with Organizational Change.

Training For Facilitators

"Outstanding workshop which modeled what it taught - facilitating communication with respect, dignity and integrity. It was all I'd hoped for and more!"  - Training Participant

This interactive training is designed to help participants increase skill in meeting facilitation. Participants learn to assist groups in getting beyond misunderstandings, value differences and hidden conflict in order to set mutually agreed upon agendas, deal with complex issues and create an atmosphere of safety where participants feel free to express individual and group concerns. Half to full-day training.

Peer Mediation Training

"Wow! Useful in every aspect of my life."  - Training Participant

An 18-hour training for 20 participants (16 students and 4 adults). A comprehensive training combining the skills and techniques of mediation with bias awareness/prejudice reduction training in lively, interactive sessions which include role playing and small group work. Grades 4-12.

Conflict Resolution Training for Students, Teachers or Parents

"Excellent. The trainers have been wonderful - smart, articulate, affirming, encouraging - a font of information and wisdom."  - Training Participant

Basic skills for managing conflicts in a smiple 4-step approach. Useful for school, home or neighborhood conflicts. One to three hours of training (can be taught in multiple sessions). Pre-K through Adults.

Teacher In-Service Training

"In just one day, I learned so much. I was also reminded of resources/tools I already had and how I can use them."  - Training Participant

Acquants school staff with conflict resolution and mediation concepts, providing an opportunity for staff to develop a common language and learn techniques. Workshops on integrating conflict resolution into the curriculum of specific grade levels are also available. All grade levels.

Training for Peer Mediation Trainers

"The trainers were all very knowledgeable about mediation and willing to let the students see that it doesn't have to be perfect. The coaches were a very useful learning resource."  - Training Participant

Acquaints school staff with conflict resolution and mediation concepts, providing an opportunity for staff to develop a common language and learn techniques. Workshops on integrating conflict resolution into the curriculum of specific grade levels are also available. All grade levels.

Conflict Resolution and Theater

"Your work is solid, careful, patient and full of wise humor."  - Training Participant

Integrates theater improvisation with conflict resolution role plays, empowering students to address conflicts positiviely. Instructor: Court Dorsey. Grades K-6.

Conflict Resolution Assemblies

"Great! I have lots of new ideas."  - Training Participant

"Conflict in Stories & Songs" leads the audience through basic conflict resolution steps. Performer/Trainer: Court Dorsey. Grades K-6.