New Ways Training

A proven method for working successfully with high-conflict clients—essential for professionals in divorce and post-divorce parenting and co-parenting, workplace, and mediation settings.

High Conflict Institute has developed a research-informed method that gives professionals clear, practical tools for managing and resolving high-conflict disputes. Built around four foundational “4 Big Skills,” the New Ways approach helps clients who have unmanaged emotions, extreme behaviors, all-or-nothing thinking, and blaming behaviors, by teaching them the opposite 4 Big Skills of:

1. managing their emotions,
2. having moderate behaviors,
3. flexible thinking,
4. checking themselves.

These new ways of thinking (skills) support problem-solving, responsibility, and healthier communication.

A structured method for challenging situations

The New Ways model is designed for the realities professionals face every day. Whether you are working with parents in a high-conflict divorce, employees caught in workplace disputes, or clients in mediation who struggle to stay focused and respectful, the New Ways skills give you a straightforward, repeatable structure that guides clients toward better behavior—without requiring you to be a therapist or a behavioral expert.

High-conflict behavior is increasing across every sector, and traditional communication or conflict-resolution approaches are often ineffective with these clients. The New Ways method provides a tangible roadmap that helps you:

• Reduce hostility and emotional escalation

• Keep clients focused on problem-solving

• Improve cooperation and accountability

• Protect your process and reduce derailments

• Achieve better outcomes in less time

Training options for different professional settings

HCI’s provides training and certification in our New Ways programs that can be delivered flexibly to fit the needs of your practice:

• New Ways for Families® — Counseling
  12-hour hybrid training for licensed counselors to use in your practice, NGO, court program or other settings

A structured, counselor-guided program in which a trained counselor works directly with each parent using the New Ways for Families Workbook. Parents learn and practice the 4 Big Skills through guided sessions, individualized feedback, and skill-building exercises. Counseling provides a more supported, therapeutic environment for parents who need deeper guidance as they move through separation or divorce.

• New Ways for Families® — Coaching
  12-hour hybrid training for coaches or other professionals to use in your practice, NGO, court program or other settings
  

A practical, skills-focused approach that trains professionals to guide parents through the New Ways for Families Online Class and help them apply the 4 Big Skills in real time. This structured, forward-looking method builds confidence, reduces conflict, and supports healthier co-parenting.

• New Ways for Mediation®
  12-hour hybrid training for mediators, lawyers, therapists and other dispute resolvers

This training teaches mediators how to integrate the 4 Big Skills into their sessions to keep clients forward-looking, reduce reactivity, and increase the likelihood of durable agreements.

• New Ways for Work® — Leadership
  12-hour hybrid training for leaders—managers, supervisors, directors—in any organization

This approach trains leaders to use a clear, practical method for reducing conflict and guiding employees toward more productive, solution-focused behavior. By teaching and modeling the 4 Big Skills, they can improve communication, defuse high-conflict situations, and build a more stable, respectful workplace culture.

• New Ways for Work® — Coaching
  12-hour hybrid training for workplace or executive coaches or others
  

HR professionals, managers, and executive coaches receive training to guide potentially high-conflict employees toward more constructive, solution-focused communication using a structured workbook to learn the 4 Big Skills.

• New Ways for Life
  12-hour online training for qualified youth leaders, educators and others

This training equips youth leaders, educators, and others who work with young people to teach and model the 4 Big Skills. These skills help address violence at home and in schools, conflict in friendships and families, bullying both in person and on social media, and the high stress levels many young people experience.

Helpful for all clients—essential for high-conflict ones

While New Ways was created specifically for high-conflict situations, its structured, skills-based approach benefits all clients. Even those who are not high conflict gain clarity, confidence, and more productive communication habits. For clients who are high conflict, the New Ways method is not just helpful—it’s often necessary to keep the process on track and ensure long-term success.