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Archive for Workshops

24 Dec

Listening: A Profound New Year’s Resolution

If speaking is silver, then listening is gold.   — Turkish Proverb

The year’s end is a natural time for reflection. I enjoy looking back at the past year – appreciating the successes and joys, considering what I’d like to do differently. I make resolutions most years. Sometimes they include typical themes like weight loss, but usually there are a few concrete goals to guide me through the year. A few years ago, I began recording these in a journal along with a few other notes and inspirations that speak to important and thought-provoking experiences like attending a retreat or processing a heartbreak. Yearly re-reading inspires new reflections and goals.    

I chuckled while recently revisiting one of my past resolution themes: Listen. Listen. Listen. Yes, it was there three times. It was almost as though I was shaking myself to get my attention – shouting even. As a mediator, I listen professionally and I realize its importance, but it’s much harder for me to do in daily life. You can probably relate. But listening is a cornerstone for broad, long term goals like having rich and loving personal relationships and a strong and effective professional referral network.

Effective listening – NOT the same as hearing – is a critical life skill that can be learned. To learn it well, you must PRACTICE. Perhaps improving your listening should be one of your new year’s resolutions. It’s a great pick because it improves all aspects of your life, while also benefiting those around you. Madelyn Burley-Allen, author of Listening: The Forgotten Skill, writes that when we listen deeply, we:

  • acknowledge the speaker
  • increase the speaker’s self-esteem and confidence
  • tell the speaker, “You are important” and “I am not judging you”
  • gain the speaker’s cooperation
  • reduce stress and tension
  • build teamwork
  • gain trust
  • elicit openness
  • gain a sharing of ideas and thoughts
  • obtain more valid information about the speaker and the subject 

If you’d like some guidance and practice in developing your listening skills, stay tuned for our winter 2016 Listening Skills workshop. Listening is at the heart of a healthy approach to minimizing conflicts and resolving them productively.

Blog Blogs & Bits Communication Conflict Conflict Resolution Skills Listening
06 Oct

NEW! Listening Skills Class Offered, October 26, November 2

“One friend, one person who is truly understanding, who takes the trouble to listen to us as we consider a problem, can change our whole outlook on the world.”

— Dr. E. H. Mayo

I’m always writing about the importance of listening (like here and here) and sharing inspiring quotes about it.  Now is your chance to build your listening skills at an incredibly affordable price. I’m teaching a two evening workshop for the Wallingford Swarthmore Community Classes program.  Classes are Monday, October 26 and November 2 from 7-9 pm. Each night can be taken as a standalone, but registration is only available for the whole program. I hope you will join us.

Blog Communication Conflict Resolution Skills Event Listening Professional Development Workshop
16 Jul

Now Offering On-Line Services

I’m pleased to now offer mediation, coaching and selected workshops on-line via a video conferencing service. I love and appreciate the value of working with clients face-to-face, but also want to be responsive to requests to work with clients outside of my local area, to provide parties in high-conflict mediations an option to meet without sitting in the same room, and to allow more flexibility for busy and on-the-go clients.

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On Line Mediation with Ellen Morfei

 

Note: Divorce mediation services are offered only to those who will file for divorce in the state of Pennsylvania. Some custody and co-parenting issues may also be limited to Pennsylvania.

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02 Feb

Workshop: Build Your Conflict Competence

I’ll be offering a three-week workshop in April through the Wallingford-Swarthmore Community Classes. Register.

Workshop: Build Your Conflict Competence

Much as we seek peace, conflict is always with us. Learn to deal with conflict in your personal and professional life more competently by examining conflict concepts, conflict styles, listening skills and communication methods. The course combines classroom instruction, class participation through games, exercises, role-playing, and Q and A. Practice what you learn in class between sessions and build your conflict competence. Share some of your personal experiences with conflict—past and present. Confidentiality is expected.

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01 Jan

Upcoming Programs and Events

Progressive Conflict Solutions offers short workshops and programs and more extensive training over multiple weeks to develop your conflict resolution competence and confidence. Programs and workshops customized for your organization are available upon request.

Spring, 2015

Thursday, April 9: Building Your Conflict Competence, class 1 of 3, Wallingford-Swarthmore Community Classes. Registration begins January 30th.

Thursday, April 16: Building Your Conflict Competence, class 2 of 3, Wallingford-Swarthmore Community Classes. Registration begins January 30th.

Monday, April 20: Drop-in Conflict Coaching – FREE and open to the public every third Monday

Tuesday, April 21: Pennsylvania Council of Mediators Professional Practice conference call facilitated by Ellen Morfei. Every third Tuesday. Open to interested professionals. Email for more information.

Thursday, April 9: Building Your Conflict Competence, class 3 of 3, Wallingford-Swarthmore Community Classes. Registration begins January 30th.

Thursday-Friday, April 24-25: Pennsylvania Council of Mediators Annual Conference. Ellen Morfei to chair session on conducting on-line mediation.

Monday, May 18: Drop-in Conflict Coaching – FREE and open to the public every third Monday. NOTE: Special 6-7 pm evening session!

Tuesday, May 19: Pennsylvania Council of Mediators Professional Practice conference call facilitated by Ellen Morfei. Every third Tuesday. Open to interested professionals. Email for more information.

Saturday, June 27: Creating Worlds Unimagined Kick-off. Learn more.

PAST PROGRAMS

Winter, 2015

Wednesday, January 7: Cultivate Your Peace Practice and Reading Group, session 5 of 6.

Monday, January 12: Presentation to Senior Group at Reformation Lutheran Church, Media, PA

Monday, January 19: Drop-in Conflict Coaching – FREE and open to the public every third Monday

Tuesday, January 20: Pennsylvania Council of Mediators Professional Practice conference call facilitated by Ellen Morfei. Every third Tuesday. Open to interested professionals. Email for more information.

Wednesday, January 28: Cultivate Your Peace Practice and Reading Group, session 6 of 6.

Monday, February 16: Drop-in Conflict Coaching – FREE and open to the public every third Monday

Tuesday, February 17: Pennsylvania Council of Mediators Professional Practice conference call facilitated by Ellen Morfei. Every third Tuesday. Open to interested professionals. Email for more information.

Monday, March 16: Drop-in Conflict Coaching – FREE and open to the public every third Monday

Tuesday, March 17: Pennsylvania Council of Mediators Professional Practice conference call facilitated by Ellen Morfei. Monthly every third Tuesday. Open to interested professionals. Email for more information.

Fall, 2014

Progressive_Logo_r5redGrand Opening of HeadRoom, home of our new office, Wednesday, September 24, 2014

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Introduction to Understanding Conflict and Conflict Styles, October 2 and October 16, 2014

Progressive_Logo_r5lavenderJoin Our Conflict Coaching Drop-In Sessions, Monthly on the first Monday starting October 6, 2014

Progressive_Logo_r5roseCultivate Your Peace: A Practice and Reading Group, Six Wednesdays between October 8, 2014 to January 28, 2015

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Progressive Conflict Solutions
24 Veterans Square | Media, PA, 19063 (by appointment only)
Ellen@ progressiveconflictsolutions.com | 610-312-1463

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