LEARN MORE

Program Details – Canada

Program Overview

The Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS) program is a highly involved participatory training that is divided into two sections.

The Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS) program is a highly involved participatory training that is divided into two sections. The first section consists of a specialized communication skills training, with the focus on integrating those skills in a client/session environment. In the second section, you will learn specific information regarding the Legal, Financial, Mental Health, and Real Estate fields, that are essential to the divorce process. Upon the completion of the course, you must pass a CDS online assessment with a 75% or higher in order to receive the CDS designation. There is a $95 annual reinstatement fee, and you are required to submit 10 hours of divorce specific continuing education every two years to maintain your CDS designation. National Association of Divorce Professional (NADP) meetings are approved for CDS continuing education credits.

partone

Communication Skills

One of the most challenging aspects of serving divorcing clients is having to communicate and build a professional/client relationship with individuals who are at the beginning or midst of an extremely painful process, both emotionally and financially. Most are experiencing a plethora of unhealthy and unproductive negative emotions that will ultimately guide their behaviors and choices. In order to help them navigate this turbulent process in an efficient manner, you must be able to communicate in a way that your client has clarity, comfort, and confidence. Part 1 of the CDS® training strictly focuses on learning valuable tools to successfully manage your divorcing client both practically and emotionally.

Become a CDS™

Part I Topics

  • Introduction to the CDS training program
  • CDS Benefits
  • Levels of Learning
  • NLP Communication Model
  • Emotional State Management
  • Perceptual Positioning
  • Avoiding resistance and maintaining co-operation with your clients
  • Effective methods of information gathering and precision questioning
  • Managing Expectation
  • The Seven Stages of the Professional/Client Session Cycle

What CDS® Graduates Are Saying...

Screen Shot 2023-11-30 at 4.39.08 PM
I am already applying my newly-learned skills and seeing an amazing difference in the effectiveness of my client communications. This training is a MUST for everyone who works professionally with clients going through a divorce.

Debra Whitson

Family Law Attorney & Mediator

Screen Shot 2024-03-21 at 3.47.18 PM
“This course honored the emotional aspect of our profession – giving me the tools to recognize and deal with a variety of clients, which will not only help me, but the client to leave the process feeling good about his/her experience with me! “

Suzane Woollums

Family Law Attorney

Screen Shot 2021-11-09 at 6.03.58 PM
One of the most rewarding areas of the training was the session on information gathering and precision questioning…I highly recommend the CDS to anyone who wants to bring their practice with divorcing clients to the next level

Aviva Pinto, CDFA

Wealth Manager

sammi-siegel
“I never expected to gain such an awareness of how other professions work with divorcing families. The theories and techniques I learned will no doubt give me a new lens in which to work with my clients.”

Sammi Siegel, PhD, LMHC

Psychotherapist

Rebecca Cleckler
The combination of anatomy, biology, psychiatry, and finance sums up my education – each of these were touched on in this training! I found the overall training exemplary and feel more confident in my ability to effectively communicate with divorcing clients!

Rebecca Cleckler

Mortgage Loan Officer

jennifer storre ne3w
I have been in the Real Estate and Mortgage Industries for over 30 years and completed endless trainings and continuing education courses. This was by far the most informative, engaging, and enjoyable course I have ever attended.

Jennifer Storre

Senior Loan Officer

parttwo

Fundamental Elements

When a couple decides to divorce, they begin a long drawn out journey to separate their lives and begin new ones on their own. Aside from the legal steps necessary to end the marriage, the process involves several changes in various other areas including finance, real estate and mental health. Although you might have knowledge in one or more of the areas listed above, if you are providing a service to a divorcing individual, couple, or family, it is imperative for you to familiarize yourself holistically on ALL the parts that are involved and that your client will need help with. There are many areas that require either collaboration or a basic understanding in order to properly help your clients make the right decisions. One simple choice or step can affect the entire process either negatively or positively. To better serve your clients, this section of the CDS® training focuses on the fundamental aspects of the divorce process that directly affect those going through it.

Become a CDS®

Part II Topics

By Industry:

  • The Various Legal Professionals Who Might Be Involved
  • Different Types of Divorces
  • Divorce Process Options
  • Important Elements of a Separation Agreement
  • The Parenting Plan
  • The Importance of Staying Up-to-Date with the Latest Laws (Both Federal and Provincial)
  • Same-Sex Divorce

Training Options

4
6
4
5
6

CDS On-Demand

General Pricing

$895     

NADP Member Pricing

$795

*Pricing is in USD

REGISTER NOW

Includes:

  • Part I - Pre-recorded Communication Skills With Senior Trainer Liz Becker
  • Part II - Pre-recorded Fundamental Legal, Mental Health, Financial & Residential Aspects of the Divorce Process Presented by CDS Trainers
  • Post Training Online Assessment
  • First Year Designation Fee ($95)
  • CDS Training Digital Manual
  • CDS Certificate (Must Pass Assessment With 75% Or Higher
  • Monthly CDS Alumni Online Meeting
  • Listing In The CDS Online Directory
  • Personalized Marketing Materials

CDS™ Online Hybrid Training

General Pricing

$1095

NADP Member Pricing

$895

* 10% EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT available until 15 days before training. ENTER CODE "CDSER10" when registering.

* Upcoming training dates listed below

Includes:

  • Part I - Communication Skills With Senior Trainer (Liz Becker) 2-day Online Live Training From 9:00 Am - 4:00 PM EST Daily
  • Part II - Fundamental Elements 5-hour Recorded Online Training
  • Post Training Online Assessment
  • First Year Designation Fee ($95)
  • CDS™ Training Printed Manual
  • CDS™ Certificate (Must Pass Assessment With 75% Or Higher)
  • Monthly CDS™ Alumni Online Meeting
  • Listing In The CDS™ Online Directory
  • Personalized Marketing Materials

CDS In-Person Training

General Pricing

$1295

NADP Member Pricing

$1095

* 10% EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT available until 15 days before training. ENTER CODE "CDSER10" when registering.

* Upcoming training dates listed below

Includes:

  • 2 Days Live In-Person Training from 8:30 - 6:00 PM Daily with Senior Trainer Liz Becker
  • Part I - Communication Skills
  • Part II - Fundamental Legal, Mental Health, Financial & Residential Aspects of the Divorce Process
  • Post Training Online Assessment
  • First Year Designation Fee ($95)
  • CDS Training Printed Manual
  • CDS Certificate (Must Pass Assessment With 75% Or Higher)
  • Monthly CDS Alumni Online Meeting
  • Listing In The CDS Online Directory
  • Personalized Marketing Materials

Upcoming Training Dates

CDS On-demand | Immediate Online Access

Anytime

REgister Today

CDS Corporate Training

For companies & practices who provide services to divorcing clients.  Become a CDS Aligned business by having your staff trained to…

  • Provide a better client experience
  • Increase staff productivity
  • Gain credibility to divorcing clients
  • Receive better client reviews
  • Stand out amongst your competitors
alligned badge
Learn More