Community Boards’ Conflict Resolution Clinics are intensive, two-hour workshops designed for both new and experienced conflict resolution practitioners, attorneys, HR managers, specialists, and other interested individuals. Led by seasoned professionals, these clinics cover an exciting variety of topics and conflict resolution and restorative justice practices.
2025 Conflict Resolution Clinics
JANUARY
The Third Harmony, Nonviolence and the New Story of Human Nature
With Michael Nagler
January 23, Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm PST
CB Member: $25 | Public: $45
Video Screening & Live Discussion on Zoom
Nonviolence is the greatest overlooked resource in the human experience. In his presentation, Michael Nagler will screen his 45- minute documentary, The Third Harmony: Nonviolence and the New Story of Human Nature.
Afterwards, Michael will discuss key concepts to inspire practitioners at any stage in their journey of peacebuilding and for the challenging times ahead. His presentation includes a Q&A session.
From Michael’s presentation you’ll gain an understanding of the power of nonviolence, learn techniques to develop it within your daily life, and discuss how it can be applied to large conflicts.
Michael Nagler
Michael Nagler, Professor Emeritus of Classics and Comparative Literature at UC Berkeley, co-founded one of the first Peace and Conflict Studies Programs in the US and the Metta Center for Nonviolence, where he continues to dedicate his life to the values of nonviolence and spiritual discovery.
Michael’s commitment to these principles earned him the 2007 Jamnalal Bajaj International Award for “Promoting Gandhian Values Outside India.” He co-hosts the radio show and podcast Nonviolence Radio and authored The Search for a Nonviolent Future, The Nonviolence Handbook, and wrote and directed the film The Third Harmony.
After registering, you will receive the Zoom information by email.
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FEBRUARY
Supporting Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Survivors in the Workplace
With Patricia Barragán & Giles Feinberg
February 27, Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm PST
CB Member: $25 | Public: $45
Live Workshop on Zoom
While we all wish we worked in a peaceful workplace, the unfortunate reality is that you, your coworkers, and clients might be bringing the traumas experienced from violence outside of the workplace. It is helpful to be prepared with skills to respond to people when they share their stories and when trauma is expressed at work.
Notable fact: as of January 1, most businesses operating in California are mandated to have a “workplace violence prevention” plan in place in accordance with Senate Bill 553. However, we know violence cannot truly be prevented, only responded to.
Are you prepared to assist your colleagues through conflict and trauma? Regardless of the when or where violence occurs, level up your skills to help your employees and teams in the aftermath of these unforeseen moments.
Improve trauma informed communication and your ability to navigate dynamic emotional situations. Join Patricia and Giles for a 2-hour interactive workshop and get equipped to help those impacted by violence at work.
By attending this workshop, you’ll learn:
- How to create a safety plan for people experiencing domestic violence
- How to lead a cognitive interview process
- Trauma-informed approaches to support those impacted by violence
Website: Get Forensic Experiential Trauma Interview Certified
YouTube Video: Why is it Important to Take a Trauma Informed Approach
MCLE
2 MCLE Credits
This course is approved by the State Bar of California for 2 MCLE Credits for the Recognition and Elimination of Bias in the Legal Profession and Society (provider #9323)
Giles Feinberg
Giles Feinberg is a former victim advocate with 10 years of direct service experience with the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, Victim Services Division. His caseload spanned a wide array of crime types from assault, gang-cases, witness protection, homicide, sex crimes and domestic violence.
Giles developed a training program for law enforcement co-presenting with Patricia Barragán at the Institute of Criminal Investigation over 6 years, reaching over 900 officers. He obtained a graduate degree in social psychology from San Francisco State University in 2009. In 2016, Giles became an Adjunct Professor of psychology at San Francisco State University and he teaches on the subjects of social psychology, policing, and criminal law. He is an active volunteer mediator with San Francisco Community Boards.
Patricia Barragán
Patricia Barragán is a client-centered advocate with over a decade of experience providing trauma-informed support services to crime victims. While serving at the San Francisco Victim Services Division, she supervised teams specializing in domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking, child abuse, sexual assault, and juvenile justice. Patricia has extensive expertise in developing and implementing trauma-informed care programs and is a certified domestic violence counselor with specialized training in Dr. Jacqueline Campbell’s Danger Assessment tool.
Patricia is an adjunct professor at the Graduate Counseling Psychology Department at the University of San Francisco. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and criminal justice from San Francisco State University and a master’s in clinical psychology from Notre Dame de Namur University.
After registering, you will receive the Zoom information by email.
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MARCH
Empowering Children to Resolve Their Own Conflicts
With Yi Zhoa Martins, LMFT
March 13, Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm PDT
CB Member: $25 | Public: $45
Live Interactive Workshop on Zoom
We all know how children fight and often argue with their siblings. As a mom of twins, I frequently find myself in a “quasi-mediator” role. It can be exhausting. My twins have asked that I help them with their conflicts, rather than letting them ‘fight it out.’ Even at a young age, they know that leaving conflicts unresolved leads to more.
One day, I introduced my children to a kid-friendly version of Functional Subgrouping, which I call “Joining.” Through this approach, they were able to have meaningful discussions based on their values. It worked.
Although conflicts still arise, I no longer have to play the role of referee. Instead, I can sit back, relax, and watch them practice Functional Subgrouping as they work through their issues. Let me show you how with this experiential training.
By attending this workshop, you will:
- Improve your understanding of the benefits of Functional Subgrouping for younger populations with consideration of developmental needs.
- Learn how to outline the steps of Functional Subgrouping and how to adapt it to different age groups, especially children.
- Gain an understanding of the ideas, practices, and exploration of applying Functional Subgrouping with neurodivergent children in various contexts.
Yi Zhoa Martins, LMFT
Yi Zhao Martins is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with over fifteen years of experience counseling children, families, and couples. With over a decade immersed in system-centered therapy approaches, Yi has been deeply engaged in working with families, children, and couples in various contexts, such as hospitals, schools, family court services, and private practice.
Yi is committed to expanding her expertise by exploring and experimenting with modalities that complement her systemic approach. She also volunteers as a mediator with Community Boards and as a support group facilitator with the Asian Mental Health Collectives. Learn more about Yi: yizhaomartins.com.
After registering, you will receive the Zoom information by email.
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APRIL
How Our Judgments Help Us Understand Others
With Marie MacNichol
April 24, Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm PDT
CB Member: $25 | Public: $45
Live Interactive Workshop on Zoom
Being judgmental gets a bad rap, but what if it can help mediators? Marie MacNichol has developed a training using the Understanding-Based Approach and its six underlying concepts to serve mediators in their support of the mediation process. Come learn about how to transform the human experience of judgment into a positive outcome.
In this interactive workshop participants will learn to recognize and understand how negative thoughts and judgments that arise during mediation can be used to help the mediator understand and connect with the parties.
By attending Marie’s workshop, you’ll learn:
- Acceptance of negative thoughts, judgments, and feelings as normal and useful.
- Self-awareness that our negative thoughts, judgments, and feelings may be arising from our own history.
- How using “Acceptance and Understanding” will allow you to feel connected with parties in mediation and support the mediation process
Marie MacNichol
Marie MacNichol is a mediator and Intellectual Property Attorney with more than 25 years of industry experience in resolving patent, licensing and contract disputes, and litigations. She founded her mediation practice to help parties in conflict by providing neutral and impartial conflict resolution services that promote understanding of all issues in a respectful and non-coercive environment.
In addition to mediation training with Community Boards, Marie has trained extensively with the Center for Understanding in Conflict (CUC). Marie developed “How Our Judgments Help Us Understand Others” as part of her Teacher Training with the CUC.
She is also greatly influenced by Jacqueline Morineau and the Workshop in Humanistic Mediation she attended with her Jacqueline in France in 2023. Learn more about Marie: www.mariemacnichol.com.
After registering, you will receive the Zoom information by email.
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Clinic Cancellation & Transfer Fees
If you cancel more than 24 hours before the clinic start time, there is a $7.50 cancellation fee. This fee will be waived one time if registration is transferred to a subsequent clinic that begins within twelve months of the training start date. No refunds for cancellations 24 hours or less before the clinic start time.
QUESTIONS?
Trainings: Sarah Moss, Mediation and Training Coordinator, smoss@communityboards.org
General inquiries: Jim Garrison, Communications Director, jgarrison@communityboards.org