GPD Mediator and FDR Training

16/09/2025

Managing child resistance to contact is one of the most complex issues in family dispute resolution, but it is also one where skilled, patient intervention can make a lasting difference.

✴️ Practitioners should combine clear assessment, education, concrete staged plans, and consistent follow-up.

✴️ Remember: change is often slow and incremental. Small acts of persistence from the resisted parent and continued co-parenting from the preferred parent can eventually restore relationship access.

If you work in family dispute resolution and face a challenging case, consider:

👉 joint and individual sessions,
👉 concrete staged agreements,
👉 family therapy referrals, and
👉 careful safety assessment
as your core toolbox.

Family dispute resolution work with resistant contact requires empathy, structure and evidence-based strategies. With persistence and the proper support, families can rebuild meaningful relationships for the benefit of their children.

For practitioners wanting to learn more, the book Overcoming the Co‑Parental Trap: Essential Parenting Skills When a Child Resists a Parent by John Moran, Tyler Sullivan, and Matthew Sullivan is a helpful resource.

What other tools would you consider using?

02/09/2025

When we had the pleasure of -Marie Rice as our guest on a 'Lunch & Learn' session last year, the figures she shared around filings in the court pertaining to DV were staggering.

The discussion centred around risk, family violence, the interplay of that really challenging power dynamic that exists within coercive control, and what the court had gathered from the notice of risk.

In the 2023 financial year, 91% of applications that were filed in the Court had one or more of the five main risk factors present - 91%! And, that was an increase from the 2022 financial year!

In her words, 'the idea that you would be working with a family that has no risk dynamic that you as a mediator need to (A) be aware of, and (B) manage, is deeply naive.'

Q: How prepared are you to navigate these complexities?

Our 'Working With Domestic Violence In Mediation' Masterclass on Wednesday 10th September will prepare you for DV cases and give you a greater knowledge on how to spot the warning signs, and manage high-stakes negotiations. We'll also guide you through the new Family-Law amendments on family violence and economic abuse to ensure you stay compliant.

Find out more and register your place: https://loom.ly/p-ZgvsA
Registrations close this week

Masterclass Live Training GPD Training specialises in professional development and life-long learning. Our training courses are designed and delivered by industry experts to meet the learning and education needs of the mediator/FDR community.Our training equips you with the skills and knowledge you....

24/08/2025

Here's something you might find surprising.

Your breath is your most underrated mediation tool.

When stress rises, your breathing changes to shallow, fast, erratic. This tells your brain, something’s wrong!
But you can flip that signal.

💨 ACTION
🧘 Inhale for 4
🧘 hold for 4
🧘 exhale for 6

Do this before walking into a tough mediation—or mid-session when the tension spikes.

🧠 Neuroscience backs this: breathing directly impacts your nervous system. Control your breath, and you shift from reactive to reflective.

💬 Do you have a breathing ritual you use before challenging sessions?

13/08/2025

Our GTPD Directors, Bobbi, Linda and Robyn, enjoyed an informal lunch with the AMDRAS Board at the College of Law in Brisbane this week.

It was a chance to connect, share experiences from the field, and talk openly about the transition to AMDRAS. We left feeling inspired and grateful for the strong community we’re part of.

Thank you to the AMDRAS Board for the invitation. We’re looking forward to the road ahead.

07/08/2025

This photo captures a moment with GTPD Directors and Trainers, Bobbi and Robyn, alongside the wonderful Catholic Care’s Family Relationship Centre team in Mackay.

Over two days, we had the privilege of sitting with a group of professionals who not only bring skill to their work, but genuine heart. We listened, we shared, we laughed, and we discussed the challenges and achievements that come with supporting families in regional communities.

Together, we explored fresh strategies to deepen practice and elevate the client experience. What shone through most was the team’s unwavering dedication to doing their best for the people they serve.

Delivering tailored training like this always reminds us why we do what we do. It’s the open-mindedness, curiosity, and care of teams like this that fill our cup.

To the Mackay crew - thank you for welcoming us so warmly. It was a joy

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