Master High-Conflict Disputes: Proven Tools for Family Law Professionals
In high-conflict family law cases—from divorce and custody battles to alienation and co-parenting disputes—HCI's evidence-informed methods like New Ways for Families®, New Ways for Mediation®, New Ways for Life®, BIFF Response®, EAR Statements™, and The CARS Method® equip you to manage extreme behaviors, reduce escalations, protect children, and achieve calmer, more sustainable outcomes.
HCI’s Family Law Solutions
At the High Conflict Institute, we view high-conflict family law disputes through the lens of our proven high-conflict personality theory: these cases are typically driven by at least one parent exhibiting a high-conflict personality, characterized by a persistent pattern of unmanaged emotions, extreme behaviors, all-or-nothing thinking, and a preoccupation with blaming the other parent.
Our specialized training equips family law professionals—attorneys, mediators, judges, guardians ad litem, and court staff—with evidence-based strategies to identify, manage, and de-escalate these predictable patterns in divorce, custody, co-parenting, and alienation cases, reducing risks, minimizing court drama, and fostering calmer resolutions for families and children.
Read on about our training options for custom training for your organization, New Ways training for counselors, coaches, mediators and youth leaders, and our consultation options, including our popular Family Law Consultation Group.
A Few of Our Family Law-Related Clients
Family Law Training
Bring the expertise of the High Conflict Institute directly to your organization. Invite Bill Eddy, Megan Hunter, or one of our expert speakers to deliver customized training for family law professionals, including keynotes, workshops, plenaries, or other programs tailored to your firm, bar association, law society, or court.
We also offer the advanced High-Conflict Law Certification—personally taught by Bill Eddy—and convenient on-demand, self-paced online courses, all focused on evidence-informed, brain-based strategies grounded in the blend of the law and psychology to manage high-conflict disputes effectively.
Master High-Conflict Cases – No Psychology Degree Required
Keynotes, Workshops & Other Training
Format: Live training either in-person or virtual
Ideal for: family courts, bar associations, law societies, law firms, family law professional associations
How it works: Schedule a complimentary call with us to explore your event’s specific needs—we’ll listen to your goals and provide a customized quote tailored just for you.
Bring the expertise of the High Conflict Institute directly to your organization—where family law has long been our primary focus and area of deepest expertise. Invite Bill Eddy, Megan Hunter, or one of our highly qualified expert speakers to deliver customized high-conflict training tailored specifically for your law firm, bar association, law society, judicial conference, court system, or professional group such as parenting coordinators, supervision experts, evaluators, co-parenting counselors and more.
Whether you’re seeking an engaging keynote address, an in-depth conference session, or an interactive full-day workshop, we’ll design the program to address your unique challenges and goals in managing high-conflict disputes.
We have trained thousands of family law and family court professionals in the U.S. and 15 other countries. Bill Eddy developed the high-conflict personality theory and solutions for effectively handling high-conflict cases without labeling, judging or ending up frustrated. High-conflict cases simply need professionals who understand high-conflict personalities and the necessary skills for communicating with them, organizing your case structure and ultimately helping parents by giving them a chance to succeed.
Bill Eddy has written more than 20 books, workbooks and manuals to help both professionals and parents, developed the New Ways for Families®, New Ways for Mediation® and New Ways for Life methods.
Here are some of the key topics we speak on for family law professionals:
- managing high-conflict personalities in divorce and custody cases
- handling parent-child contact problems (alienation, resistance/refusal dynamics)
- handling allegations of abuse
- navigating difficult opposing counsel
- and applying practical tools like BIFF Response® and The CARS Method® to reduce litigation and protect children.
Explore Our Speaking Engagements and Topics
Discover past events where Bill Eddy, Megan Hunter, and HCI experts have presented, along with popular topics tailored for family law professionals:
New Ways Training for Family Law Counselors, Coaches, Mediators and Parenting Specialists
Bring the expertise of the High Conflict Institute to your family law practice or program with our innovative New Ways for Families®, New Ways for Mediation® and New Ways for Life™ methods. Developed and taught by Bill Eddy, these structured approaches teach parents essential skills to reduce conflict, strengthen co-parenting, and protect children at any stage of separation or divorce.
We offer hybrid counselor and coaching trainings (self-directed modules plus live virtual sessions with Bill), full mediator training for New Ways for Mediation®, and licensing or certification options—ideal for counselors, coaches, mediators, agencies, and court-connected programs. Spots are limited for these high-impact trainings.
New Ways for Families® Counselors Training
Format:
We deliver customized training either in-person (or virtual) at your location, or as a flexible hybrid format (4 hours of self-directed online modules plus 8 hours of live virtual sessions with Bill Eddy on Zoom), Whether for your entire organization or for individual counselors seeking personalized skill-building, we tailor the program to fit your needs. Options: licensure or certification.
Ideal for:
Counseling agencies and programs, court-connected programs, private practices, individual counselors
Description:
Developed and personally taught by Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq.—the world’s leading expert on high-conflict personalities—the New Ways for Families® Counselor Training empowers counselors and therapists with a structured, preventive approach to teach parents (and sometimes children) four simple yet powerful conflict resolution skills: The 4 Big Skills™ for flexible thinking, managed emotions, moderate behaviors, and checking yourself.
This hybrid training blends self-directed online modules with live virtual sessions led directly by Bill Eddy, providing in-depth guidance, real-time feedback, and practical application in a supportive learning environment. Spots are limited to maintain an intimate, high-impact experience.
Specifically designed as an early-intervention tool, New Ways for Families® helps prevent cases from escalating into high-conflict disputes and can be effectively used at any stage—pre-filing, during separation or divorce, or post-decree—to strengthen co-parenting, protect children from conflict, and give parents the skills they need to succeed long-term. Counselors guide families through Bill Eddy’s dedicated New Ways for Families® online parent course, reinforcing skill practice for sustainable change.
New Ways for Families® Coaches Training
Format:
We deliver customized training either in-person (or virtual) at your location, or as a flexible hybrid format (4 hours of self-directed online modules plus 8 hours of live virtual sessions with Bill Eddy on Zoom), Whether for your entire organization or for individual coaches seeking personalized skill-building, we tailor the program to fit your needs.
Ideal for:
Divorce coaches, co-parenting coaches, parenting coordinators
Description:
Empower your clients to break cycles of conflict and achieve healthier co-parenting outcomes while reducing your own caseload stress and preventing costly escalations.
Empower your clients to break conflict cycles, improve co-parenting, and reduce escalations—while easing your caseload and stress. Developed and taught by Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq.—leading high-conflict expert—this hybrid training (self-directed modules + live virtual sessions with Bill) equips coaches to teach parents (and children) The 4 Big Skills™ using his dedicated online parenting course specifically designed for high-conflict cases.
This preventive tool works at any case stage to promote lasting change and give parents a chance to succeed. Ideal for coaches, practices, agencies, and courts, who become licensed as a New Ways for Families Provider to use the class and coaching method with clients whether inside or outside court. Join other New Ways coaches transforming families away from high-conflict and into peace.
By mastering this method, you’ll gain a competitive edge in your practice, attracting more referrals as families experience quicker, more sustainable resolutions and reduced involvement in adversarial proceedings. Many coaches report higher client satisfaction, fewer crises, and the rewarding opportunity to focus on prevention rather than endless conflict management, ultimately protecting children and supporting healthier family transitions.
New Ways for Mediation® Training
Format:
We deliver customized training either in-person (or virtual) at your location, or as a flexible hybrid format (4 hours of self-directed online modules plus 8 hours of live virtual sessions with Bill Eddy on Zoom), Whether for your entire organization or for individual mediators seeking personalized skill-building, we tailor the program to fit your needs.
Ideal for:
Family mediators
Description:
Empower disputing parties to resolve conflicts more effectively, reduce emotional escalations, and achieve lasting agreements—while streamlining your mediation sessions and minimizing impasses. Developed and taught by Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq.—the world’s leading high-conflict expert—this hybrid training (self-directed modules + live virtual sessions with Bill) equips mediators with structured methods to teach parents and couples The 4 Big Skills™ using his dedicated New Ways for Mediation® process.
This innovative approach strengthens decision-making skills before, during, or after mediation, making it ideal for high-conflict family cases at any stage. Perfect for mediators, practices, agencies, and court programs; offers licensing or full certification (with observation and support). Join certified New Ways mediators transforming adversarial disputes into collaborative resolutions.
By mastering this method, you’ll enhance your mediation success rate, attract more referrals through proven results, and experience greater professional satisfaction as parties gain skills for self-managed agreements. Many mediators report shorter sessions, fewer dropouts, and the fulfillment of focusing on empowerment rather than endless emotional firefighting, ultimately benefiting families and reducing court burdens.
New Ways for Life® Training
Format:
We offer this training as a fully online, self-directed course, perfect for individuals to complete at their own pace—whether for personal use or integration into an existing program.
Ideal for:
Youth leaders, educators, parenting coaches, and others who work with young people
Description:
The New Ways for Life™ Youth Training is a 3-hour on-demand online course that equips youth leaders and educators with simple, evidence-based tools to teach young people resilience and conflict resolution skills. Developed by Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq.—leading high-conflict expert—and co-authored with New Ways Manager, Susie Rayner, FDRP, it draws from High Conflict Personality Theory to prevent escalation in schools, homes, and online environments.
Participants learn to deliver the 4 Big Skills™—flexible thinking, managed emotions, moderate behaviors, and checking yourself—using ready-to-use PowerPoint slides, an Instructor’s Guide, and Student Journal for group or one-on-one sessions. This structured approach helps youth navigate stress, bullying, and family disputes effectively, without requiring psychological expertise.
Complete the course to earn a Certificate of Completion, HCI website listing, and ongoing support. Join graduates transforming youth challenges into growth opportunities—empower the next generation with New Ways for Life™ today.
Family Law Consultation
Discover proven, evidence-based and evidence-informed training tailored for family law professionals managing high-conflict divorce, co-parenting, alienation, and custody disputes. From advanced certifications and New Ways for Families® and New Ways for Mediation® methods taught by Bill Eddy to private consultations, monthly peer groups, and custom workshops, gain practical tools like BIFF Responses® and The CARS Method® to de-escalate volatility, reduce unnecessary litigation, protect clients and children, reduce your stress and confusion, and streamline resolutions.
One-on-One Consultation
Format: Zoom or phone
Ideal for: family law attorneys, law clerks, paralegals, PCs, mediators, GALs, other family law professionals
Description:
Gain expert guidance on your toughest high-conflict family law cases and discover strategies to de-escalate volatility, protect your client, and achieve better outcomes. Schedule a private 1:1 consultation with Bill Eddy—author of High Conflict People in Legal Disputes and developer of the high conflict personality theory—to address challenging clients, opposing parties, counsel, or other professionals.
Available for you alone or with your client, we listen carefully to your concerns, identify predictable high-conflict behavior patterns, highlight potential problems ahead, and offer general, ethical approaches to manage and resolve these disputes effectively.
Also available: Family Law Consultation Group
Family Law Consultation Groups
Format: Live training either in-person or virtual
Ideal for: family law attorneys, mediators, parenting coordinators, mediators, counselors, supervisors, evaluators, reunification therapists, and others
Description:
Join HCI’s Family Law Monthly Consultation Group for ongoing expert support and peer insights on your most challenging high-conflict divorce, child custody and co-parenting cases. Led by Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq.—the world’s leading expert on high-conflict personalities—these small virtual group meetings focus on topics most important to members, including allegations of:
- violence and abuse;
- parent-child contact problems (alienation, estrangement, resistance and refusal);
- true and false allegations;
- high-conflict opposing counsel;
- collaborating with other professionals;
- and any questions or cases raised by the group.
We Have Resources for Parents and Children at Conflict Influencer
Conflict Influencer®
Books by Bill Eddy and Megan Hunter
Take advantage of our exclusive bulk purchase discounts on family law resources, making it cost-effective to acquire multiple copies for distribution to your clients.
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We are the go-to virtual and on-site educators and trainers for cutting-edge advanced conflict resolution strategies. Since 2008, we’ve been making the world a more peaceful place with our keynotes, customized training, consultations, books, classes, and online courses. Contact us to learn more!