Divorce Coaches Academy

Tracy Callahan and Debra Doak

Divorce Coaches Academy podcast hosts Tracy Callahan and Debra Doak are on a mission. We discuss topics to help professional divorce coaches succeed with clients and meet their business goals and we advocate (loudly sometimes) for the critical role certified divorce coaches play in the alternative dispute resolution process. Our goal is to create a community of divorce coaching professionals committed to reducing the financial and emotional impact of divorce on families.

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Episodes

Divorce in the Arabian Gulf: Nada Hariri is Committed to Expanding Support for Families
6d ago
Divorce in the Arabian Gulf: Nada Hariri is Committed to Expanding Support for Families
We're excited for you to meet Nada Hariri, the DCA Director of Learning and Development for the Arabian Gulf. Nada is the first certified divorce coach in the region and has worked with hundreds of Arab clients all over the gulf area. She is an experienced coach, group facilitator, workshop leader, author and is currently pursuing her Master's in family counseling.Nada is a revolutionary. She is lifting the taboo of talking about divorce and is seeing a both great need and a great desire for divorce support services for families in her part of the world. She is committed to training and certifying divorce coaches who speak the unique cultural and religious language of the divorce process in Arab countries.Even though divorce is allowed, people in the Arabian Gulf must navigate both the legal and religious aspects because the divorce process itself is based on Sharia Law. Muslim communities continue to redefine how to practice Islam in the modern world even as they remain faithful to its general precepts as a guide to correct living and religious practice.Nada hopes to expand culturally relevant support to help Arabic families make their way through the process in a manner that honors both the modern family and traditional values. She believes that certified ADR divorce coaches are the key to help increase understanding, reduce conflict, and manage the practical and emotional facets of divorce in the gulf area.The first cohort of DCA Certified ADR Divorce Coach training specifically for the Arabian Gulf begins the week of April 14. Visit the DCA website and schedule a one-on-one meeting with Nada to learn more about this revolutionary program.Learn more about DCA® or  any of the classes or events mentioned in this episode at the links below:Website: www.divorcecoachesacademy.comInstagram: @divorcecoachesacademyLinkedIn: divorce-coaches-academyEmail: DCA@divorcecoachesacademy.com
The Trap of Narcissism
Feb 28 2024
The Trap of Narcissism
When it comes to divorce, co-parenting and conflict, understanding the “why” behind someone's ugly behavior doesn’t provide the tools or strategies clients need to navigate dealing with these individuals. Instead, it can create mindsets that keep them stuck or even complicate the process. They get caught in the trap of spending more time and energy trying to figure out why their partner behaves the way they do and not enough time and energy focused on how they can insulate themselves and find some peace.Shifting roles from being someone’s spouse to being their ex is a complicated journey for most of us. Not only are our clients legally divorcing their spouse, but they also must go through the process of emotionally divorcing their spouse and that’s where some of this over-analysis originates.In January, we held a networking event to discuss Jessica Garza’s TED Talk about emotional contagion and she introduced a strategy she calls “Ok. So What? Now What?” Listen in as we apply these 3 steps to helping clients get out of the rabbit hole of narcissism and shift the focus to peace, safety and decision making.If you need support to navigate divorce or co-parenting with a difficult character, check out our new DCA online support groups. For just $75/month, you can meet weekly with a professional, certified divorce coach.Learn more about DCA® or  any of the classes or events mentioned in this episode at the links below:Website: www.divorcecoachesacademy.comInstagram: @divorcecoachesacademyLinkedIn: divorce-coaches-academyEmail: DCA@divorcecoachesacademy.com
The Struggles of Solopreneurship
Feb 21 2024
The Struggles of Solopreneurship
Today we're shining a light on two of the biggest struggles faced by those of us running our businesses solo. And we can tell you from years of experience working with and training certified divorce coaches, the majority of us are independent practitioners. From juggling multiple hats to navigating the sometimes lonely path of entrepreneurship, we're doing it all. And, not everyone makes it.Solopreneurship is not just a business venture; it's a courageous journey where we are the architects of our own destiny, navigating the challenges of self-reliance, embracing the solitude of innovation, and finding strength in the resilience of our entrepreneurial spirit. Exciting on one hand, yet tremendously scary at the same time!Being a solopreneur is not for the faint of heart. We were exhausted just talking through the list of all the roles we have to play. And trying to do it all in isolation without support or social interaction - well that doubles the difficulty. We've shared that scary ICF statistic that 4 out of 5 coaching businesses fail. But we know plenty of divorce coaching professionals who have thriving practices - it just takes strategy and intention to combat the struggles of solopreneurship. So while you may be running a solo practice, you don't have to do it alone!Learn more about DCA® or  any of the classes or events mentioned in this episode at the links below:Website: www.divorcecoachesacademy.comInstagram: @divorcecoachesacademyLinkedIn: divorce-coaches-academyEmail: DCA@divorcecoachesacademy.com
The Importance of Community with Jackie Pilossoph of Divorce Girl Smiling
Feb 14 2024
The Importance of Community with Jackie Pilossoph of Divorce Girl Smiling
We're thrilled to be joined this week by Jackie Pilossoph, founder of Divorced Girl Smiling.  Jackie says that Divorced Girl Smiling (DGS) is like going to Starbucks with your friend to talk about your divorce and your love life. DGS is about community — the community is those facing divorce and those who have dedicated their careers to helping people in their shoes.Today we talk about why community is so vitally important for those experiencing divorce and how the right community can improve outcomes for everyone. One of Jackie's passions is matching people with the right professionals so they can get the expert support they need. She offers a free 30-minute consult for those going through divorce where she listens with an empathetic ear and then provides personal introductions to divorce professionals with the necessary skills, knowledge and expertise.Jackie shares how she wishes divorce coaching had been accessible when she went through her divorce. She sees how valuable it would have been to have someone other than her attorney to help her process emotions, understand the process, advocate for herself, de-escalate conflict, and make values-based decisions. You can find Jackie and Divorced Girl Smiling:Website: divorcedgirlsmiling.comInstagram: @divorced_girl_smilingFacebook: DivorcedGirlSmilingPodcast: on Apple PodcastsLearn more about DCA® or  any of the classes or events mentioned in this episode at the links below:Website: www.divorcecoachesacademy.comInstagram: @divorcecoachesacademyLinkedIn: divorce-coaches-academyEmail: DCA@divorcecoachesacademy.com
First Steps When Money Fears Create Indecision, Inflexibility, and Conflict
Feb 7 2024
First Steps When Money Fears Create Indecision, Inflexibility, and Conflict
Money fears are pretty common in divorce. Clients may be afraid they don’t know enough about money, won’t get enough money or they’ll have to give up too much money. Or they might have concerns that their partner will be difficult and they’ll have to fight to get what’s “fair”. By the way, most of us call “fair” the 4-letter F word in divorce because each person’s definition of “fair” is different and it’s the source of so much disagreement.In this week’s episode, we dive into the first few important steps when working with money fears. When we are able to dial down fear, we also make it possible for clients to be less reactive, more flexible, and more strategic - and that means less conflict and better decisions.We find it so interesting that financial fears are one of the most common instigators of divorce conflict because money is widely known as one of the leading causes of divorce in America. We're taking people who likely couldn’t agree about money in their marriage and asking them to make big decisions about money during their breakup. It just doesn’t seem like a recipe for success. We review working with clients to establish a post-divorce budget and running through possible marital property settlement proposals. The key to minimizing money fears is a combination of understanding the divorce process, financial literacy, and values based decision making. When clients are prepared to negotiate from an interest based perspective, they improve the chances that they’ll get a satisfying outcome.Learn more about DCA® or  any of the classes or events mentioned in this episode at the links below:Website: www.divorcecoachesacademy.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/divorcecoachesacademyLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/divorce-coaches-academyEmail: DCA@divorcecoachesacademy.com
5 Moves To Try When Mediation Feels Hopeless
Jan 31 2024
5 Moves To Try When Mediation Feels Hopeless
No one likes feeling hopeless and most clients who choose mediation are desperate to avoid the cost and stress of a trial, but how can we help when they feel like it's not going well and they're running out of options? Today we’re going to give you and your client some proven strategies to try when they’re feeling hopeless in their mediation process.We start with differentiating between making a wish and having hope. While we often say "I hope this or that happens", we mean we are wishing it will happen because hope involves taking action toward a goal, while a wish is out of your control. And that's the great news...high hope people understand that taking action and problem solving not only gets them closer to their desired outcome, but also increases hope.We talk through 5 strategies you can use with clients when they feel frustrated, stalled or ready to give up in mediation and give you an example of a client who used these tools to make an informed, intentional decision in her mediation process.If you'd like to learn more and specialize in supporting clients in mediation, please join our next session of Pre-Mediation Divorce Coach Training beginning Feb 5.Learn more about DCA® or  any of the classes or events mentioned in this episode at the links below:Website: www.divorcecoachesacademy.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/divorcecoachesacademyLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/divorce-coaches-academyEmail: DCA@divorcecoachesacademy.com
Avoiding Emotional Contagion: Protecting Yourself From Prickly People
Jan 24 2024
Avoiding Emotional Contagion: Protecting Yourself From Prickly People
This week we had a great networking event where we discussed the popular TED Talk, "How to avoid catching prickly emotions from other people". Did you know there's a cactus nicknamed the "jumping cholla" for it's tendency to seemingly shoot cactus spines into unsuspecting passersby? The same thing can happen when we get too close to people having big emotions. When a spouse or co-parent is angry, hostile or negative, we can get hurt if we catch those feelings from them. Today we’re going to give you and your clients some information and tools to avoid this “jumping cholla effect” or what we call emotional contagion.First we dig into how emotional contagion happens, where emotion comes from and how to work with clients to raise awareness about how their beliefs, expectations and even physical symptoms can contribute to this process.Then we offer some strategies we call "bubble wrap" to provide protection from any pricks that might be flying your way. These include understanding mirror neurons; cognitive reappraisal; "OK, So what, Now What"; and of course, boundaries.Here’s to staying safe out there.Watch the TED Talk: Catching Prickly EmotionsFind a DCA® Divorce Coach: www.divorcecoachesacademy.com/coach-locatorLearn more about DCA® or  any of the classes or events mentioned in this episode at the links below:Website: www.divorcecoachesacademy.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/divorcecoachesacademyLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/divorce-coaches-academyEmail: DCA@divorcecoachesacademy.com
Setting Effective Boundaries With a Narcissist or High Conflict Person
Jan 17 2024
Setting Effective Boundaries With a Narcissist or High Conflict Person
No doubt we've have all seen some pretty shady characters pull some pretty shady tricks in divorce and co-parenting. There are people in this world that get off on hurting others - the more you hurt, the happier they are. It’s sad to think that people like this exist, but wishing and hoping they were different doesn’t solve the problem. There’s still a settlement agreement to negotiate or years of co-parenting ahead.This week we're talking about helping clients take control wherever possible to protect their own safety and their own peace. And that means we’re going to be talking about boundaries - making decisions and taking actions that shield them from harm and keep them moving toward their goals.We run through a little role play to demonstrate the difference between effective and ineffective boundaries. Then we discuss the two things that typically keep clients from acting to set good boundaries (fear and values conflicts) and provide a 4-step process for working through those with them.Remember that boundaries are an action, not an ask. So when clients are struggling with the behavior of others, our job is to help them determine what options they have that do not rely on their spouse or co-parent’s agreement or compliance. That’s where their power, peace, and safety lie.Learn more about DCA® or  any of the classes or events mentioned in this episode at the links below:Website: www.divorcecoachesacademy.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/divorcecoachesacademyLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/divorce-coaches-academyEmail: DCA@divorcecoachesacademy.com
How Nikki Bould is Revolutionizing Divorce Coaching in New Zealand
Jan 10 2024
How Nikki Bould is Revolutionizing Divorce Coaching in New Zealand
This week, we're thrilled for you to meet Nikki Bould. Nikki is a highly skilled ADR specialist in New Zealand and she's joining the DCA leadership team to deliver culturally and legally specific curriculum to aspiring New Zealand divorce coaches.Not only does New Zealand have it's own unique laws and processes when it comes to divorce, but because of the large indigenous population there are cultural impacts and considerations that Kiwi divorce coaches must be prepared to navigate.Nikki shares that there are currently only about 15 certified divorce coaches in New Zealand and she firmly believes that increasing that number can help families avoid the stress of litigation.  While divorcing families with children are afforded 12 hours of family dispute resolution services (either free or partially funded), these often aren't utilized or aren't effective as they could be. Increasing the number of divorce coaches with specific ADR skills would provide individual support and education that could be the key to increasing FDR success and decreasing court involvement.DCA is thrilled to be working with Nikki to bring truly international divorce coaching to New Zealand.The first New Zealand cohort begins the week of February 12, 2024. Apply now or schedule a 1-1 call with Nikki to learn more at divorcecoachesacademy.com.Nau mai Nikki!Where you can find Nikki:Website: www.thehelpfulhuman.co.nzLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/nikki-bould-mediator-coachLearn more about DCA® or  any of the classes or events mentioned in this episode at the links below:Website: www.divorcecoachesacademy.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/divorcecoachesacademyLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/divorce-coaches-academyEmail: DCA@divorcecoachesacademy.com
Fighting Words: 13 Tips to Keep Divorce Conflict From Going Off the Rails
Jan 3 2024
Fighting Words: 13 Tips to Keep Divorce Conflict From Going Off the Rails
What's the best and fastest way to ramp up conflict in divorce and co-parenting? Certainly derailing language is near the top of the list. Those phrases that automatically trigger defensiveness or an emotional response - things like "you always", "you never", "you're overreacting", or Tracy's personal favorite, "calm down". This week, we unpack how and why this type of language contributes to conflict and we offer 13 strategies you can use with clients to help them stay on track and focused on their goals when it comes to the words they choose.Communicating during divorce conflict is challenging because emotions are running high, needs aren't being met, someone is feeling threatened, and the stakes feel incredibly high. Derailing language is not only unproductive, it can move the conversation from an opportunity for a problem-solving to a full blown argument and combat. This, in turn, can lead to escalation into litigation, further deterioration of the relationship, and additional impact on children.Overcoming derailing language is key to maintaining a constructive dialogue that respects all parties involved. By being mindful of our words, listening actively, and expressing ourselves constructively, we can turn conflicts into opportunities for understanding and resolution. Learn more about DCA® or  any of the classes or events mentioned in this episode at the links below:Website: www.divorcecoachesacademy.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/divorcecoachesacademyLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/divorce-coaches-academyEmail: DCA@divorcecoachesacademy.com
Make More in 2024: Revenue Resolutions You Can Keep
Dec 27 2023
Make More in 2024: Revenue Resolutions You Can Keep
It’s just about time for everyone to start thinking about New Year’s resolutions and that usually means setting goals to get healthier and manage our money better. Almost every divorce coach we know would like to generate more revenue, so in this episode we share 5 simple strategies you can implement to earn more in your coaching business next year.Research cited by The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business suggests that only 9% of Americans that make resolutions complete them. That tells us that simply setting an intention doesn’t seem to create the follow through necessary to accomplish the goal. The same goes for making more money in your coaching practice. Recall that ICF (International Coaching Federation) survey that reported 80% of coaching businesses fail? These dismal statistics can make it feel like an impossible mission to achieve financial success as divorce coaching professionals. But there are many divorce coaches that are hitting their revenue goals and that is precisely why you must pay attention to the business side of your coaching practice. If you want to make more in 2024, you need to set your sights on 2 basic things - getting more clients and gaining more confidence.Because More Clients + More Confidence = More RevenueSo listen in as we talk through the 5 things you can focus on that we believe will have the most impact on growing your client base and your confidence next year. Being excellent at coaching isn't enough - you must also be intentional about the way you approach your business. Learn more about DCA® or  any of the classes or events mentioned in this episode at the links below:Website: www.divorcecoachesacademy.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/divorcecoachesacademyLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/divorce-coaches-academyEmail: DCA@divorcecoachesacademy.com
Certified Divorce Coaches Share How Adding ADR Skills Elevated Their Practice
Dec 20 2023
Certified Divorce Coaches Share How Adding ADR Skills Elevated Their Practice
Are you certified but feel like you're ready to elevate your practice? This week we have the pleasure of talking with two certified, practicing divorce coaches who recently completed DCA's ELEVATE program to add an ADR divorce coaching certification to their credentials.Heather Cary and Carolyn Jacobs give us the inside scoop on their backgrounds, their initial certification, their decision to pursue additional ADR training, and how the DCA foundations, frameworks and skills have provided just what they needed to take their coaching practice to the next level.ELEVATE is a new option for CDC certified divorce coaches who are looking to add ADR and conflict resolution skills. The ELEVATE program includes every lesson, every module, and every resource that our new divorce coaching students have access to. We believe our ADR approach is so revolutionary that we just couldn’t leave anything out. The coaching frameworks and approach to divorce fundamentals look and land differently when viewed and taught through an ADR lens. Listen in as Heather and Carolyn describe how learning to speak ADR language, working with clients to focus on conflict management, and delivering an effective coaching session every time has increased both their impact with clients and their bottom line.Find Heather:Website: www.heathercarycoaching.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/the_mindful_divorceMeetup: www.meetup.com/portland-divorce-supportLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/heather-cary-b1640b104Find Carolyn:Website: www.allyindivorce.comInstagram www.instagram.com/allyindivorceLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-jacobsLearn more about DCA® or  any of the classes or events mentioned in this episode at the links below:Website: www.divorcecoachesacademy.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/divorcecoachesacademyLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/divorce-coaches-academyEmail: DCA@divorcecoachesacademy.com
The 5 Most Expensive Divorce Mistakes
Dec 13 2023
The 5 Most Expensive Divorce Mistakes
When people find out what we do, it's not unusual to hear “UGH, I wish I’d known you when I went through my divorce. I made so many mistakes.” In this week's episode, we’re reviewing the five common mistakes people make and talk about how a divorce coach helps clients sidestep those mistakes and save time, money, relational damage and emotional energy.Right now the average divorce with attorneys in the US will cost each party somewhere in the neighborhood of $15-20,000 and can easily exceed 6 figures when you add in custody battles, forensic accounting, discovery, depositions, motions, and all the other professionals and processes. Certainly legal fees can add up quickly when conflict escalates, but there are many other costs that clients pay when divorce mistakes are made.When clients are stressed and overwhelmed and/or driven by emotions like anger, sadness, vengeance, jealousy, or indecision, their lives are impacted on every level. While those costs are much harder to quantify, they aren’t hard to observe.Studies show that an employee can lose 40% of their productivity when going through a divorce, costing many companies millions of dollars in lost revenue. Clients who are struggling to manage their own emotions aren’t able to attend to the emotions or needs of their children in a healthy way. And when people are experiencing these costs of divorce, they may act and make decisions that don’t reflect their best selves or their best interests.Listen in as Tracy and Debra dive into the 5 most expensive divorce mistakes and talk through the coaching tools you can use with each.Learn more about DCA® or  any of the classes or events mentioned in this episode at the links below:Website: www.divorcecoachesacademy.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/divorcecoachesacademyLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/divorce-coaches-academyEmail: DCA@divorcecoachesacademy.com
Betrayed: The Relationship Between Broken Trust and Divorce Conflict
Dec 6 2023
Betrayed: The Relationship Between Broken Trust and Divorce Conflict
If you’re working in the world of divorce, chances are that a number of your clients are going to be dealing with feelings of betrayal. In this episode we’re going to dig into how betrayal impacts emotions and decision making and discuss how you can work with clients struggling with the double whammy of betrayal and divorce.Research presented to the Senate indicates that 56% of divorce cases involve one party having an obsessive interest in pornographic websites. According to the American Psychological Association, infidelity in the United States is said to be responsible for 20-40% of divorces. A Bankrate survey reports that 1 in 4 Americans keep financial secrets from their partner.Betrayal Trauma occurs when the actions of another violate the trust on which a relationship was built and it can cause lasting changes in the areas of the brain responsible for regulating emotion, thought, and memory. Many symptoms arise immediately after a betrayal trauma, while other symptoms can begin months or even years later. In one survey, more than 33% of respondents reported having continued symptoms more than 5 years after the discovery of the betrayal.These symptoms can complicate the divorce process and the inherent conflict involved.Listen in as we explore how different people respond to trauma and how they have different coaching needs. We also share how to identify if your client might need additional mental health support and offer some scripts you can use to gently introduce this idea.Learn more about DCA® or  any of the classes or events mentioned in this episode at the links below:Website: www.divorcecoachesacademy.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/divorcecoachesacademyLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/divorce-coaches-academyEmail: DCA@divorcecoachesacademy.com
High Conflict Divorce and Domestic Violence: The Line Between Coaching and Advocacy
Nov 29 2023
High Conflict Divorce and Domestic Violence: The Line Between Coaching and Advocacy
These days with all the talk of narcissists, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and coercive control, we get a lot of questions from divorce coaches about how, when or whether they should be working with clients involved in these situations.In this episode, we clarify the specific role a divorce coach plays and examine those circumstances where coaches need to be cautious that they’re not crossing the line into advising, advocacy or UPL in their efforts to protect clients dealing with high conflict or intimate partner violence.We set the stage by defining the terms divorce coach, educator, advisor and advocate. then we walk through a couple of hypothetical scenarios with a client we call "Michelle" to demonstrate the difference between coaching, advising, and advocacy. Resources to have on hand:National Domestic Violence Hotline: thehotine.org 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)Local Domestic Violence Resources: womenslaw.orgSo how do you figure out what your role as a divorce coach should be when conflict is ramping up? We share 3 guidelines that will help you make decisions:Your Comfort ZoneYour Consult CallYour Coaching AgreementYour Professional EthicsLearn more about DCA™ or  any of the classes or events mentioned in this episode at the links below:Website: www.divorcecoachesacademy.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/divorcecoachesacademyLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/divorce-coaches-academyEmail: DCA@divorcecoachesacademy.com
Why Uncertainty Fuels Conflict (And 4 Divorce Coaching Strategies)
Nov 15 2023
Why Uncertainty Fuels Conflict (And 4 Divorce Coaching Strategies)
In last week's episode, we talked about why people resist change and did a quick review of the 5 SCARF domains - status, certainty, autonomy, relatedness, and fairness. Today, we want to dive deep into the domain of certainty and discuss how uncertainty impacts both resistance to change and conflict.We consistently see a perfect storm of someone’s tolerance for risk, their resilience and their emotional intelligence come together to either weather the uncertainty and changes that divorce brings or create more waves by feeling afraid and resisting them.To the human mind, uncertainty equals danger. If your brain doesn't know what’s coming next, it can’t protect you. So it has a tendency to assume the worst, over-personalize threats, and jump to conclusions. Did you know that our brains find psychological uncertainty just as (if not more) painful than actual physical pain?We crave certainty and safety. No wonder the uncertainty of divorce has the potential to create so much chaos.We discuss the results of scientific studies as well as research with elite athletes and then share 4 coaching strategies and some powerful questions to use with clients struggling with uncertainty. Our role is to support clients in their resilience, their decision making, and their emotional management so they are in the best possible position possible to deal with the almost guaranteed uncertainty that comes along with divorce and co-parenting.Learn more about DCA™ or  any of the classes or events mentioned in this episode at the links below:Nov TED Talk Discussion Group: Sign Up HereWebsite: www.divorcecoachesacademy.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/divorcecoachesacademyLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/divorce-coaches-academyEmail: DCA@divorcecoachesacademy.com
I Can’t Mediate! My Spouse is a Narcissist, Meanie, or Bully
Nov 1 2023
I Can’t Mediate! My Spouse is a Narcissist, Meanie, or Bully
For many clients, the idea of facing mediation with a difficult spouse or co-parent is terrifying. It feels so much more comfortable to think about hiding behind an attorney and letting the justice system do its thing. But we know that not only is it possible, but it’s actually preferable to try to resolve things out of court with a difficult character. So today we're talking about helping clients feel confident that they can mediate with a narcissist, meanie or bully.Side note: As a rule, we avoid the use of labels like narcissist, psychopath, borderline, or addict. Our goal is to help our client recognize patterns of behavior, identify what is within their control, and to empower them to take charge of their own decision making. We want to dispel the perception that this is happening TO them and instead support them in taking strategic actions and aligning their choices with their goals and values.Experts in the field of conflict resolution are beginning to say that methods of alternative dispute resolution may work in your client’s favor and we discuss 8 of those reasons in today's episode.Court is the high conflict person's playgroundCosts can escalate quicklyThe legal process moves slowlyConflict can spiral out of controlChildren get caught in the crossfireControl is out of their handsLose the ability to use de-escalation strategiesDeceased complianceSo, while clients may feel that litigation is a safer alternative for dealing with their difficult spouse, by working with you they can gain the skills and confidence they need to try meditation. And by doing so, potentially avoid the expense, stress, and damage of a court battle.Learn more about DCA™ or  any of the classes or events mentioned in this episode at the links below:Website: www.divorcecoachesacademy.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/divorcecoachesacademyLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/divorce-coaches-academyEmail: DCA@divorcecoachesacademy.com