Donald T. Saposnek, Ph.D. a Clinical-Child Psychologist and Child Custody Mediator, is the author of the 1983 classic text, Mediating Child Custody Disputes, now in its revised 1998 edition. Dr. Saposnek is the former long-time editor of Mediation News, the newsletter of the Academy of Family Mediators, and is now the editor of Family Mediation News, the quarterly publication of the international Association for Conflict Resolution. He is also the editor of the Family Section of Mediate.com.

Dr. Saposnek has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Academy of Family Mediators, has published extensively on child custody and child psychology, and is on the editorial boards of several international mediation journals. He is a national and international trainer in mediation and child development, a family therapist, and has been teaching on the faculty of the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, for the past 32 years.

Dr. Saposnek is the recipient of several recent awards. These include:

• The 2002 international Association for Conflict Resolution's JOHN M. HAYNES DISTINGUISHED MEDIATOR AWARD. This prestigious award is presented in recognition of an individual's outstanding contributions to the field of mediation. The individual is selected from more than 7,000 members of the association, representing 47 countries and 18 different areas of mediation practice.
• The 2002 Monterey Bay Psychological Association's OUTSTANDING PSYCHOLOGIST AWARD, presented in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the field of psychology and to the development of model court mediation and parent education programs benefiting children of divorce, both locally and nationally.
• The 2003 California Psychological Association's AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED CONTRIBUTION TO PSYCHOLOGY AS A PROFESSION. This prestigious award is presented in recognition of an individual's outstanding contributions to expanding the areas of influence by psychologists in our society.

TRAININGS OFFERED TO DIVORCE PROFESSIONALS

Dr. Saposnek offers a variety of trainings and workshops for divorce professionals. Bringing over 32 years of mediation experience and mediation training, 18 years as Director of Family Court Services in Santa Cruz County, CA, combined with over 38 years as a practicing Clinical-Child Psychologist and University Psychology Faculty, he offers the following trainings in a number of formats. These include:

• Half-day Workshop
• Full-day Workshop
• Two-day Workshop

These workshops are useful for private practitioners of both mediation and psychotherapy, court-related practitioners, family law attorneys, and family law judges. They are presented in a lively, entertaining, and engaging style.

THE PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE INCLUDE:

• "Developmental Needs of Children of Divorce: Current Research in Temperament and Attachment."
• "Parenting Plans for Young Children."
• "Special Needs Children in Mediation and Evaluation."
• "Interviewing Children in Divorce."
• "Developing and Drafting Parenting Plans."
• "High-Conflict Divorce: Managing and Maneuvering Through Anger."
• "Child Custody Mediation Skills: A Strategic Approach." (Basic Workshop--for New Mediators) (Advanced Workshop--for Experienced Mediators)
• "25 Roles for Psychotherapists in Divorce Cases."
• "Advanced Issues for Mediators."
• "Understanding and Helping Children of Divorce."
• "Special Needs Children in Divorce."

Other specialized trainings and workshops can be developed to suit a particular group's professional needs. For more information, contact Dr. Saposnek at: (831) 476-9225 or at: dsaposnek@mediate.com.

WORKSHOPS OFFERED TO SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC GROUPS

Dr. Saposnek also offers workshops to schools and public groups on topics related to "PARENTING SKILLS" (BASIC AND ADVANCED). These workshops are centered around the core concept of the child's temperament, and how to design parenting approaches that optimize goodness-of-fit with each of their children's unique temperament styles.

These can be presented in the following formats:

• Keynote Address for an Organization
• Half-Day Workshop
• One-Day Workshop.
• Two-Day Workshop.
• 6-Week or 8-Week Workshop
• Consultations in any other format.

With the high incidence of divorce, school districts often find the workshops on parenting skills, particularly the aspects that deal with children of divorce, very useful for parent and teacher groups. Understanding what we have learned in the last 30 years about the special issues of children in divorce helps both parents and teachers to deal more effectively with these children and their families. Dr. Saposnek's forthcoming book on parenting serves as the core of these workshops.

For more information, contact Dr. Saposnek at: (831) 476-9225 or at: dsaposnek@mediate.com