Massachusetts Collaborative Law

David Hoffman will be presenting the:

“The Internal Family Systems Model as a Tool for Collaborative Professionals – and You Don’t Need to be a Therapist to Use It.”

Each professional in a Collaborative Practice case needs to be cognizant of the psychological dimensions of conflict.  However, some approaches to these issues are based on a deficit-based model in which the behaviors and attitudes of the parties are viewed as dysfunctional or even pathological.  The Internal Family Systems model, pioneered by psychologist Richard Schwartz and described in the attached article, views all of our parts (including those that create problems for us) as deserving of compassion and respect.  The IFS model also provides any easy, non-technical way to talk with people about these parts, so that they feel understood.  Our presenter David Hoffman has led a series on one-day workshops on this model for mediators and Collaborative Practice professionals during the last two years, and he welcomes all to this lunch meeting, regardless of whether they are already familiar with this model or not – for a discussion in which the model will be explained and practical applications discussed.

David Hoffman is a mediator, arbitrator, Collaborative Practice attorney, and the founder of Boston Law Collaborative, LLC. He is a Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School, where he teaches three courses: “Legal Profession: Collaborative Law”; “Mediation”; and a new course this coming winter, “Diversity and Dispute Resolution.”  He was one of the founding members of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council.  He also co-chairs the Collaborative Law Committee of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution.  He has published three books and numerous articles on dispute resolution.

Usually meets 1st Tuesday of each month

Please bring your lunch.  Dessert and beverages will be provided.

Please RSVP to Jenna Goodman