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Collaborative Divorce Solutions of Orange County

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Cathleen Collinsworth

Orange County Collaborative Professionals Contribute Expertise at California Conference

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Collaborative Divorce Solutions of Orange County members Diana L. Martinez (left) and John Denny will serve on the Collaborative Practice California Board of Directors for 2017-2018. Martinez is a board member; Denny will serve as President. Photo: Courtesy Cathleen Collingsworth

Twelve members of Collaborative Divorce Solutions of Orange County contributed their professional expertise to the annual Collaborative Practice California (CP Cal) Conference XII, held in Redondo Beach, California from April 28 – 30.

Cathleen Collinsworth, a CP Cal Delegate for 2017-2018 and a workshop presenter, said, “This year’s theme of ‘Harnessing the Energy’ came true. The energy was very evident throughout the entire weekend. It is my hope those of us who attended can keep that energy going throughout the coming year.”

Collaborative Divorce Solutions of Orange County member Scott Cramer (left) believes it’s important to work hard and play harder! Seen here with San Diego practice group member Mark Hill in a "guest appearance" with Hill’s band "No Country For Old Men."
Collaborative Divorce Solutions of Orange County associate member Scott Cramer (left) believes it’s important to work hard and play harder! Seen here with San Diego practice group member Mark Hill in a “guest appearance” with Hill’s band “No Country For Old Men.” Photo: Courtesy Cathleen Collingsworth

Also presenting workshops were Bart Carey, Patrice Courteau, Dr. Carol Hughes, and Diana L. Martinez.

CSDOC member and Orange County based family law attorney John Denny received the gavel from outgoing CP Cal President Lisa Zonder, and will serve as CP Cal President for 2017-2018. Also serving with Denny on the board of directors is Diana L. Martinez.

CDSOC member John Denny will serve as Collaborative Practice California President for the 2017-2018 term.
Collaborative Divorce Solutions of Orange County member John Denny will serve as Collaborative Practice California President for the 2017-2018 term. Photo: Courtesy Cathleen Collingsworth

Collinsworth expressed her desire on behalf of the conference attendees to continue collaborating together in their daily work, as well as their daily lives, and continue to educate all they meet on the value of peacemaking.

Experts Contribute to Best Practices at Collaborative Practice California Conference

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Orange County Collaborative Practice professionals will share their expertise with colleagues in April at the annual Collaborative Practice California Conference XII in Redondo Beach.

Members of Collaborative Divorce Solutions of Orange County (CDSOC) are in demand as professional education panelists and seminar leaders throughout Fall 2017 due to their expertise and experience working with a diverse array of Orange County clients in the Collaborative approach to divorce.

“Many collaborative professionals are committed to continuing professional education in order to provide the best service to our clients,” said Dr. Carol Hughes, CDSOC member and workshop leader. “The annual conference of Collaborative Practice California is one venue for us to do this.

“We CDSOC members are honored to be contributing to the further growth of our Collaborative colleagues throughout the state. Ultimately, the reward is offering better options to clients who want to avoid the trauma, time and expense of a litigated divorce or other disputes,” added Dr. Hughes.

Collaborative Practice California presentations include:

Left to right: Cathleen Collinsworth, Carol Hughes, Bart Carey

Collaborative Family Lawyer and Mediator Bart Carey, Divorce Coach and Child Specialist Dr. Hughes, Ph.D., LMFT, and Financial Specialist Cathleen Collinsworth, CDFA™, MAFF™ will facilitate an advanced seminar titled “Grand Rounds for Collaborative Practitioners.”

The workshop format introduces the “Grand Rounds” concept used in the medical profession. A supervising physician-professor and small group of residents visit individual patients in their hospital rooms, diagnosing their symptoms and discussing together how best to help each patient through collaborative problem-solving.

In a similar way Bart, Carol and Cathleen will apply their expertise to analyze individual case challenges presented by participants. The team will “diagnose” and assess the symptoms and prescribe the best course of action.

As a result of the workshop, the attendees will learn how to analyze case challenges presented by their own clients, and then design and implement creative solutions on their behalf.

Collaborative family lawyer and mediator Diana L. Martinez will present a workshop on diversity and cultural issues in divorce.

Collaborative Family Lawyer and Mediator Diana L. Martinez, will co-present a seminar with other California Collaborative professionals discussing cultural competency in family law practice, “Becoming Culturally Competent and Ethically Responsible: Beyond Basics.” Professionals working with families going through divorce and separation need to increase awareness and skills to discern the complex aspects of culture, world views, and communication patterns of the families they interact with during the legal process.

Participants will also learn to identify sociopolitical aspects of racism, power and privilege, and how these may impact issues of trust and create barriers while navigating the legal process. Being able to empathize and navigate these challenges will lead to greater understanding of client needs and achieve a successful outcome without resorting to litigation.

Patrice Courteaum M.A., LMFT, Divorce Coach and Child Specialist

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Divorce Coach and Child Specialist Patrice Courteau, MA, LMFT, will participate in a panel discussion about effective Collaborative Practice outreach in a digital age.

Orange County families who are considering a Collaborative approach to their divorce can be confident in the guidance and qualifications of CDSOC members, who not only uphold high standards in their personal practice, but who are called upon to help California’s Collaborative professionals develop the highest standards in this area of family and civil law.

CDSOC members are available to speak to groups of professionals and to any interested organization or program about the Collaborative Practice approach to solving dispute in family law matters or any civil dispute instead of resorting to time consuming, costly litigation that destroys ongoing relationships. Contact CDSOC at 949-266-0660.

Teamwork is the Key to Success in Collaborative Divorce

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by Dr. Carol Hughes, Ph.D., LMFT

Clients often wonder how working with a team of professionals will benefit them when moving forward with the Collaborative Process for their divorce. Even experienced practitioners sometimes fail to understand how all professionals on an interdisciplinary team can assist and support clients, even high-conflict clients, to become “Agreement Ready.”

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Dr. Carol Hughes, family law lawyer Diana L. Martinez, and financial specialist Cathleen Collinsworth offer recent findings from neuroscience showing how working in teams can assist clients resolve even their most difficult conflicts at the upcoming Collaborative Practice California (CP Cal) “Celebration XI” Conference in Redwood City, California April 29 – May 1.

Dr. Hughes says the training is designed for all practitioners who want to continue evolving their ability to assist clients with the powerful tools provided through the Collaborative Process. Participants will learn techniques for assisting clients:

  • Identify and develop the clients’ ‘Key Elements of Agreement’ that avoid being too specific or too vague and therefore of no value.
  • Identify and develop the clients’ ‘Questions To Be Answered’ relative to their ‘Key Elements of Agreement.’
  • Develop ‘Options for Resolution’ that are both individually and family-centric interest based.
  • Evaluate their ‘Options for Resolution’ and co-create their Agreements.
  • Develop the necessary skills to support their interdisciplinary professional team members in the Agreement Readiness process.

From the inception of a case, interdisciplinary teams of lawyers, neutral financial specialists, divorce coaches and neutral child specialists can employ tools and techniques to shift clients toward Agreement Readiness. By doing so, a team can save client costs and facilitate better outcomes through more durable divorce agreements for the entire family involved.

Presenters (left to right) Dr. Carol Hughes, Cathleen Collinsworth, and Diana L. Martinez of Collaborative Divorce Solutions of Orange County.
Presenters (left to right) Dr. Carol Hughes, Cathleen Collinsworth, and Diana L. Martinez of Collaborative Divorce Solutions of Orange County.

“Our goal in the end is to educate our prospective clients that the goal of the Collaborative Process is reaching a final agreement each party can ‘live with,’ one that provides clarity and substantive closure for each of them,” said Dr. Hughes. “The agreement must also reflect their values and goals, no one else’s including the professional team’s goals.”

Dr. Hughes said it is important for each Collaborative team member to develop the necessary skills to support their clients. But what is often forgotten is the importance of learning how to develop similar skills to provide support among the professional team members as they work together to move the Collaborative Divorce case through the Agreement Readiness process.

“Just as it is critically important for the team members to work together to support their clients, we need to work together to support each other and allow the unique value that each professional from the three disciplines brings to their Collaborative Divorce team to flourish,” said Dr. Hughes. “This helps us educate clients about the pivotal role of each member in facilitating cost effective outcomes and durable agreements.”