Mediation Skills for Social Workers to Use with Couples and Families

Lunch N Learn Webinar

Wednesday, December 4, 2024 - 12-1 pm CT via Zoom

Presenter: Solveig Erickson, LGSW

1 CEU - may be counted as Clinical or Supervision

Mediators work with people in conflict to help them resolve their differences and come to agreements about the future.  While mediators’ skills are unique, many of them can transfer to therapy clients, especially couples.  This presentation will review the emotional divorce process, share mediation skills with social workers, and inform participants about the divorce process in Minnesota.  Audience participation and questions are welcome!

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Attendees will learn mediation techniques that keep conflict in check, keep a future focus and use of neutral language.  

2. Participants will learn about divorce dynamics and will gain skills to set a cooperative tone for clients, to help clients understand the underlying conflict, and to more effectively guide their clients through the divorce process.  

3. Participants will learn about specific emotional issues surrounding a divorce and how those issues are impacted by the system couples choose to achieve their divorce.  

4. Participants will become familiar with how mediation works and how it fits in with all of the other options available to them in the midst of a separation or a divorce.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Solveig Erickson, LGSW has worked at Erickson Mediation Institute in various capacities since 1994.  After receiving her MSW from Augsburg College in 2001, her thesis was published as an article titled “Mandatory Divorce Education Classes: What Do the Parents Say?” in the William Mitchell Law Review.  In addition to presenting at state and national mediation conferences, Solveig has been helping couples, parents and families mediate their separations, divorces, and parenting issues since 2006.  In 2024 she began practicing mental health therapy with River Valley Behavioral Health and Wellness in their Waconia office.  She has two adult children, loves paper crafts, glass fusing and does crosswords in her free time.

PRICING AND REGISTRATION

NASW Members - FREE - Register here (NASW members only)

Not-Yet-Members - $15 - Register here