GPD Mediator and FDR Training

18/07/2025

Yesterday, our GTPD Directors and Trainers, Bobbi and Linda, had the privilege of spending the day with the team at Relationships Australia Canberra & Regions.

The program – The Conscious Practitioner: The Journey from Assessment to FDR – invited everyone in the room to pause and reflect:

✅ What is the purpose of what we’re doing?
✅ Why are we doing it this way?
✅ Is it working?
✅ Is there another way?

With a combined 115 years of mediation experience in the room, the conversation was rich, thoughtful and practical.

The session flowed beautifully, with staff engaging deeply and exploring new ways to approach their work.

Thank you to the dedicated team at Relationships Australia Canberra & Regions for your openness and thoughtful participation. Days like this remind us why we do what we do. 💛

10/07/2025

📣 You're Invited. We're thrilled to announce that GTPD are hosting the launch of the recently released 'Mediating with Families Fifth Edition.'

This book is the most widely recommended text for Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) practitioners in Australia.

Join GTPD Director and co-author Linda Kochanski AM, and co-author Mieke Brandon AM, live via Zoom on Wednesday, 6 August, as they offer fresh and thoughtful insights into the evolving landscape of FDR.

This new 5th Edition reflects:

* Contemporary family dynamics, including same-sex, de facto, separating, and extended family relationships
* Updated theory and research-backed practice
* The vital intersection of legal, social, and community sectors
And a practical new feature: "Tips and Traps" at the end of each chapter to support real-world application.

Whether you're just starting in the field or you've been working with families for years, hearing directly from the authors about what's new, what's changed, and what's in this Edition will be an hour well spent!

👉 Register now to join the conversation or receive the replay.
https://loom.ly/QztawR4

Join co-authors Linda Kochanski AM, and Mieke Brandon AM for the launch of 'Mediating With Families Fifth Edition.' Live 6th August

02/07/2025

As mediators, one of the most powerful yet subtle skills we can cultivate is maintaining a non-judgmental presence.

But what does that look like in practice?

Being non-judgmental isn't just about withholding criticism. It's about understanding and constructively addressing parties' behaviours without bias or assumption.

Parties often arrive at mediation already feeling judged, defensive, or entrenched in their positions, and a truly non-judgmental presence allows mediators to:

• Guide parties toward shifting unhelpful behaviours or attitudes without compromising impartiality.

• Reduce defensiveness, enabling open, honest dialogue—even when facing challenging or frustrating behaviour.

• Move participants through stubbornness and positional stances and towards resolution.

Developing and consistently applying the skill of non-judgment transforms the mediation experience and fosters an environment where resolutions are not only possible but also collaborative and meaningful.

Have you had an experience where holding a truly non-judgmental presence in the room changed the outcome? We'd love to hear your thoughts or experiences in the comments.

25/06/2025

We are delighted to advise that Global Training and Professional Development Ltd is registered and approved as a Recognised Training Provider under the Australian Mediator & Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards.

As a Recognised Training Provider, GTPD Ltd is authorised to deliver high-quality training and accreditation under the Australian Mediator & Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards framework.

To our valued clients across mediation, family dispute resolution, legal services, HR, education, and corporate sectors, we look forward to continuing to support your professional growth with exceptional training that enhances your skills, deepens your knowledge, and advances your career.

If you haven't yet trained with GTPD Ltd, we warmly invite you to explore our upcoming webinars, engaging live Masterclasses, and flexible on-demand training options. Join the growing community of professionals who have elevated their practice with our courses!

22/06/2025

You’re already a skilled mediator. Now imagine what’s possible when you fine-tune those skills with expert mentoring.

In 3 weeks, we’re running a one-day Advanced Mediation Skills Masterclass and we’d love to have you join us.

Together, we’ll explore:

🧠 How neuroscience + psychology shape what we do

😌 Techniques for managing emotion in the room

🤝 Strategies for handling complex, multiparty disputes

🎓 Live mentoring from your trainer who is a mediator who has walked the path for 20+ years

This isn’t just another webinar. It’s live, practical, and tailored to mediators like you - dedicated, experienced, and always learning.

No replays. Just real skills for real impact.

🔗 Join the Masterclass: https://loom.ly/p-ZgvsA

04/06/2025

Great news!! We've got a date locked in for our Working With Domestic Violence Masterclass. Thanks everyone for your interest and patience while we found an additional date for this in-demand training.

We hear all the time how you're dealing more and more with domestic violence in your mediations - and with the changes introduced on 10th June emotional and financial control will be taken into consideration as DV.

This training is on Wednesday 10th September, and would be a great pre-curser to our two day property mediation masterclass on 10-11th October.

Find out more on our website - and get your Early-Bird discount. https://loom.ly/p-ZgvsA

03/06/2025

Closing soon!! GPD is running a two-day Masterclass on property and financial mediations.

The Property Mediation Masterclass agenda will include:

☑️ Understanding the legal context regarding financial and property matters

☑️ How to adapt the facilitative mediation process to manage these disputes

☑️ Enhancing mediator/FDRP toolbox to include skills/strategies to resolve financial/property matters

☑️ Drafting agreements for property/financial matters

✴️ Day One: Will focus on theory and building knowledge.

✴️ Day Two: Supervised practice, role-play and mentoring throughout.

Find out more and save your seat: https://loom.ly/p-ZgvsA

03/06/2025

If you're looking for a new role, our friends at Centacare New England North West have two positions available.

Applications are open for:

1. A permanent full-time FDRP position which closes Friday 6th June. If you’re interested in this opportunity, please feel free to reach out to Nicole Youngberry – Practice Lead for Family Law Services on (02) 6750 8500. While the position is listed as full-time, we are open to discussing flexible working arrangements for the right candidate.

Find out more: https://loom.ly/giQ6Go4

2. A causal pool of FDRPs. Applications close 31st July. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply and will be contacted as applications are received.

Find out more: https://loom.ly/M_JG1Gg

Make a real difference!! Ignite an exciting new career as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner with Centacare NENW and help families in need.

28/05/2025

Did you know that on 10th June, new changes come into effect that may impact separating couples who have a property matter before the family law courts or who are using mediation to decide what happens to their property and finances after separation.

The Family Law Act 1975 includes changes to the law about:

▶️ how the family law courts will determine a property settlement

▶️. what the family law courts will consider when determining a property settlement. This includes the economic effect of any family violence, where relevant.

These changes apply to all separating couples, regardless of whether their property settlement is determined by the family law courts, or they are negotiating outside of court.

The amendments also make clear that economic or financial abuse may constitute family violence, and the economic effect of family violence must be considered when making decisions about property and finances after separation.
The changes also give consideration to family pets, and financial disclosure.

💫 Want to feel on top of these changes?

If you’d want to be on top of these changes, join our upcoming Property Mediation Masterclass. These two days will ensure you have a thorough understanding of how these changes impact your practice and how to adopt them with confidence. Plus, you’ll finesse your skills and knowledge in the facilitative model used in property mediation,

Day One will cover theory, legal, advanced skills, and case studies. Day Two you will put into practice everything you’ve learned through mentored role-play and working with your trainers and peers to really get the feel for different scenarios.

Property Mediation Masterclass
Dates: 13th and 14th June, 2025
CPD Points

Find out more and register on our website: https://loom.ly/p-ZgvsA

26/05/2025

For those of you working in FDR, the 5th Edition of 'Mediating with Families' was published last week . This book is regarded as the leading text on FDR, and is co authored by Mieke Brandon and our own GPD Director, Linda Kochanski, AM.

The Fifth Edition has been updated to reflect the evolution of FDR practice in the 21st Century and how the work connects across legal, social and community sectors.

Mediating with Families Fifth Edition provides unique insights into the practice of family mediation in Australia. It considers the variety of family relationships, such as those between separating , same-sex, de facto and married couples, parents and adolescents, extended family relationships, siblings and their elderly parents. Importantly, it also highlights the research and theory that supports the practice.

Have you used Mediating with Families as a resource in your career?

21/05/2025

I recently read an article about helping children thrive by teaching them to be problem solvers who don't give up when things get tough.

The article provided an example of what this looks like in practice, and it resonated with me in my role as a mediator.

The example was two children arguing over a toy. By having a thoughtful, trusted teacher step in and support them, the children learned to voice their frustrations in a positive way. They were encouraged to problem-solve and learned to respond in a healthy and positive manner. The teacher was intentional and understood each child and the problem.

This example brought to mind our role in mediation.

Granted, our clients are older, but they still need guidance to help them voice their frustrations positively and be encouraged to become problem-solving-focused.

Regardless of age, when reacting to a stressful experience, the emotional brain is often in control, and the logical, rational brain can become inaccessible.

These situations are where our training and skills come into play. For example, in a property mediation, each party can easily slip into a default position of reacting due to their history. One party may respond with 'emotional brain' while the other responds with 'front-brain logic'.

Guiding parties through a property mediation is where all our skills and knowledge come into play.

A strong Intake is an invaluable tool for getting to know each party, gaining insight into their perception of the conflict, and avoiding unpleasant surprises.

'Emotional processing' is about engaging with the emotional brain by being responsive and empathic and validating their emotions by naming them. For example, "I can see you are feeling frustrated because (name the situation)". Take the time to validate, and don't hurry them through their emotions.

In your role as mediator, you can help the parties see that there are options to explore. For example, you might look for objective standards and criteria to guide solution development.

Even though they may feel they are still in the wilderness, parties can then see that there are paths from which they have some power to choose.

But it's not only our clients who benefit from being guided through a challenging situation. As mediators, we can always benefit from expanding our knowledge, stepping away from our habitual responses, and learning from those with tremendous experience.

If you're ready to learn more ways to help your clients through property mediation, please join us on the 13th and 14th June at our live, online Masterclass.

Led by highly experienced mediators with over 20 years in practice, this two-day training will provide practical skills you will master through mentoring and role-play. At the end of this training, you will immediately apply all that you've learned and confidently guide your clients through their mediation.

Find out more and register: https://loom.ly/Hf4j6GM

18/05/2025

Have you seen the great line-up of Keynote Speakers and Panellists for the FRSA National Conference 2025?

Commissioner Lil Gordon, Acting National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People will be presenting Amplifying young people’s voices: Thriving through the generations.

Professor Sharon Bessell, Director, Children’s Policy Centre, Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University will be presenting Delivering More for Children – and Families.

Panel Discussion: How listening to the voices of young adults can deliver positive impacts for children and young people accessing your services will be a panel discussion, moderated by Victoria Flanagan, Uniting Counselling and Mediation. The Panellists are:
Greg Kennedy, Uniting Counselling and Mediation
Kimeaka Bermingham, CatholicCare Wilicannia-Forbes
Lachlan Hobman, Youth Advocate

The Honourable Justice Thomas Altobelli AM, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia will be presenting The impact of emerging technologies on family violence and abuse: utopia or dystopia?

The Honourable John Faulks will be presenting Family Law Council Terms of Reference Reports

Kath Koschel, 2025 NSW Australian of the Year is a Keynote speaker. In the midst of grief and trauma Kath created the Kindness Factory on social media to share her small acts of kindness, hoping to inspire a groundswell of people to join her. Her idea went viral: millions of acts have since been logged, giving birth to the Kindness Curriculum—a blueprint for happiness, resilience and connection.

And bringing warmth and wit to the Gala Dinner, fabulous entertainment by comedian and actor Steph Tisdell.