With over 25 years of experience as a mediator, Elena provides conflict intervention services that include individual conflict coaching, individual pre-mediation sessions, and joint mediation sessions in the Facilitative framework. As a trainer and facilitator, Elena provides regular workshops on mediation skills, effective communication, and conflict resolution for individuals and groups. Elena is a Certified Initial Mediation Trainer with the New York State Unified Court System for both the Community Dispute Resolution Centers Program and Part 146. As a consultant, Elena combines her conflict resolution expertise with over 15 years of nonprofit management and consulting experience to support organizations in assessing and strengthening internal conflict management systems.

Elena also works with a small and select group of conflict resolution professionals and can bring in additional support as needed.

Below is a selection of services available, including a brief description and estimated costs. Final determination of appropriate services, including cost and service delivery timeframe, are made in collaboration with each client.

Conflict Intervention*

Conflict coaching provides individuals with ongoing support to address acute current conflict concerns, as well as to develop greater effectiveness and resiliency in managing conflict in the future.

Individual conflict coaching and/or pre-mediation sessions provide finite support in anticipation of a future joint mediation session. These sessions can help prepare individuals to participate effectively in a mediation.

Mediation sessions include two or more individuals involved in a dispute who wish to work toward resolution with the support of an impartial third-party. These sessions can help each person find clarity regarding the conflict, as well as to make some concrete decisions about how to move forward from the conflict.

*please note that all conflict intervention services are confidential and voluntary.

 Communication and Conflict Resolution Workshops

 Workshops offer an opportunity for groups to build community while developing additional skills around interpersonal communication and conflict resolution. Each workshop is tailored to the needs of the group and organization and can be offered as a series of short (2 hour) sessions, or longer half day (4.5 hour) sessions.

Topics that may be covered in workshops includes:

• Perceptions and experiences of conflict

• The nervous system and conflict

• Effective communication tools

• Active listening

• Interest based negotiation

• Collaborative problem-solving

• Giving and receiving feedback

• Effective agreements

• Additional topics related to conflict and communication

Community Building and Group Facilitation

Bringing groups together with the support of a facilitator can improve the experience and outcomes of meetings, or help build stronger connections between group members. Meeting goals and expectations are discussed in advance with relevant leadership, and Elena will design a meeting agenda to support the needs of the group. Elena facilitates with strong intuition and a flexible and transparent structure, utilizing a variety of facilitation tools.

Conflict Management Systems Consultation

Building the capacity of an organization to manage conflicts effectively ongoing requires a multi-faceted approach. The process begins with a needs assessment and conflict management inventory, including interviews with a representative selection of relevant stakeholders. Based on the outcomes of the assessment process, we can begin to develop a strategic plan specific to the organizational needs and strengths.