Parenting Consultant (PC) Training 2025

MN Board of CLE - pending

MN Board of Psychology - pending

MN Board of Social Work - pending

MN Board of MFT - approved

MN Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy LADC, LPC/LPPC - pending

ADR - This course is approved certification for 23 hours of alternative dispute resolution training by the State Court Administrator, ADR Program

A Parenting Consultant (PC is agreed to by the parents and appointed by the Court to help resolve child-related issues outside the courtroom. The PC facilitates co-parenting communication and problem solving, advises parents on how to work together, and makes binding child-related decisions if parents cannot agree. If you have successfully completed the 40-hour family mediation course and have ever considered serving as a PC, this is the training for you!

In this course, experienced alternative dispute resolution (ADR) professionals, Kent Kodalen, PhD and Jennifer Joseph, JD will lead participants through 4 days of education and skill-building as it relates to standards and best practices for providing effective PC services. In addition to an in-depth tour of the PC process from start to finish, participants will hear directly from respected members of the family law community who share valuable insights and ideas from working with families in conflict.

Training topics will include (but are not limited to):

• how our world-view influences our response to a family’s needs

• the emotional and psychological impact of divorce/separation on members of the family unit

• rules and guidelines regarding PC Appointment Orders, protocols, and processes

• strategies, techniques, and interventions for managing conflict and increasing cooperation

• cultural and ethical considerations of the PC role

• responding to special circumstances (e.g., IPV, mental health crises, resist/refuse, etc.) as a PC

• self-care and community support for the ADR professional

• how to write an effective PC decision

Registrants who successfully complete this program satisfy training requirements to apply to the Family Law Hybrid Neutrals Roster as outlined by Rule 114.12 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice.

What? Parenting Consulting is an ADR process defined by agreement of the parties in which a qualified Family Facilitative Hybrid Neutral incorporates facilitation, coaching, and decision making to help parents resolve parenting disputes. This 20+ hour program covers course requirements for future application to the MN Supreme Court ADR Family Law Hybrid Roster by offering a comprehensive overview of the PC process with special emphasis on:

• Understanding the emotional and psychological dynamics of separation and divorce

• Understanding the developmental needs of children

• Managing the PC process (standards and best practices, reviewing appointment orders, billing and fees, statues, rules, and ADR ethics)

• Advanced PC issues and techniques (assessing/addressing domestic violence, drafting of summaries and decisions, and strategies for avoiding and handling complaints)

Who?  If you are considering serving as a Parenting Consultant and you have completed the prerequisite under Rule 114, THIS IS THE COURSE FOR YOU!

When? Training takes place over 4 days: October 14, 15, 16, & 17

Where? Registrants may participate online from the comfort of their homes and offices OR they can join us in-person at The Nordic, 729 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA

Cost? $1200 per registrant

Trainers? Experienced parenting consultants and AFCC-MN members, Kent Kodalen, PhD, LP and Jennifer Joseph, Esq, serve as your trainers.

BIO's

Jennifer E. Joseph, JD, is an attorney in private  practice; however, her practice focuses solely on providing Alternative  Dispute Resolution and other neutral services in family law matters. Ms.  Joseph specializes in helping parents resolve custody, parenting, and  co-parenting disputes through her work as a mediator, parenting  coordinator, parenting coach, custody evaluator, and SENE (social early  neutral evaluation) provider.

Ms. Joseph is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School.  In addition to her private ADR practice, she has served as an adjunct  professor of family law at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and provides  training and continuing legal education to family law professionals. Ms.  Joseph presents regularly on family law and ADR issues to professional  associations and organizations across the country. Ms. Joseph is a  long-time member of the international Association of Family and  Conciliation Courts (AFCC). She is a former President of the Minnesota  AFCC Chapter. Ms. Joseph is also the current Vice President on the Board  of Directors for Overcoming Barriers, a non-profit organization  dedicated to finding more systemic solutions to families experiencing  parent-child contact problems.

Kent Kodalen, PhD, LP, is a licensed psychologist with a private practice in Eagan, MN. He provides a variety of services for children, adolescents, and families, both in and out of the high conflict arena. As a therapist, he offers support in the form of individual and family therapy. As a child specialist and Qualified Neutral under Rule 114, Dr. Kodalen serves as a Parenting Consultant and provides Child Inclusive Mediation, Brief Focused Evaluations, and Parent Coaching. Dr. Kodalen is an active member of AFCC having served as past president and chairman of the ADR training committee.