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Managing the Complexities of High-Conflict Cases: A Trauma-Informed Approach

High-conflict cases challenge even the most seasoned professionals with their emotional intensity, extreme behaviors, and unpredictable dynamics. This course is designed for lawyers and advocates who work with clients navigating high-conflict situations, providing them with the tools to manage complex cases involving strong emotions, mental health challenges, addictions, and personality disorder-type traits.

Through a trauma-informed and person-centered lens, participants will explore the origins of high-conflict behaviors, strategies for de-escalating tension, and techniques for fostering constructive engagement. By focusing on behaviors rather than labels, this course empowers professionals to ethically and effectively support clients in achieving better outcomes while protecting their own wellbeing.

Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of high-conflict personalities, the impacts of trauma, and practical strategies for navigating complex cases with confidence and compassion.

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is ideal for professionals in advocacy, law, government, social services, healthcare, or HR who work with clients exhibiting high-conflict behaviors or navigating challenging situations.

What Will I Learn and What Skills will I Gain?

Students will:

  1. Be introduced to a trauma-informed perspective when working with clients
  2. Understand trauma and its impacts
  3. Understand the impacts of mental health issues, personality disorders, substance use​
  4. Explore ethical challenges ​

Learning Goals

In the context of high conflict and complex cases, students will:

  • Understand the origins of High Conflict behaviors​
  • Focus on behaviors, not labels​
  • Reflect on High Conflict fears and needs​
  • Learn skills and techniques for High Conflict cases ​
  • Recognize areas for future skill and competency development

What Can I Expect in Class?

This course includes lectures, personal reflection and group activities and discussion. There are no pre-requisites for this course.

This class is presented online, live with instructors and consists of 4, 3 hour sessions over 4 weeks:

  • Session 1 – Self-Care, Trauma-Informed Practice, Ethics
  • Session 2 – Mental Health, Substance Use, Anger
  • Session 3 – Listening Skills, Initial Meetings, Accommodations
  • Session 4 – Recognizing High Conflict, Tools & Techniques

Students will be provided with a copy of the course manual in advance. Readings, video links, reflections & activities will be assigned for each session. (Approximately 8-10 hours total.)

Attendance for all 4 sessions and completion of all assignments is mandatory to receive full credit hours (18 hours)

What are the Costs and Other Details?

The fee for this course is $1200 plus GST

Full attendance for all scheduled training days is mandatory.

For Alberta lawyers, consider including this activity as a CPD learning activity in your annual Continuing Professional Development Plan.