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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.
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.
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...
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
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
“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
“This left me feeling more empowered and prepared to work with divorcing clients, and honestly, ANY client!”
Marianela Collado
CPA & Certified Financial Planner
“An excellent experiential workshop that will certainly add tremendous value… Expect to grow personally and professionally by participating in this well organized, top notch program/”
Laurie Dubow
Licensed Real Estate and Mortgage Broker
“I learned so much… and also met amazing group of family law attorneys, mental health and financial professionals. It was a very informative and educational training session and I truly enjoyed it!”
Olga P. Herbert, CFE
Senior Forensic Accountant
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.
Part II Topics
By Industry:
Legal
Financial
Residential
Mental Health
- The Legal Professional
- Different Types of Divorces
- Divorce Process Options
- Important Factors in a Divorce Settlement
- Parenting Plan
- The Importance of Staying Up-to-Date with the Latest Laws (Both Federal and Local)
- Gay Divorce
- Military Divorce
CDS™ Online Hybrid Training
General Pricing
$985*
$1095
NADP Member Pricing
$805*
$895
*10% Early Registration Discount Shown Above Available Until 15 Days Before Training.
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 Manual
- CDS™ Certificate (Must Pass Assessment With 75% Or Higher)
- Monthly CDS™ Alumni Online Meeting
- Listing In The CDS™ Online Directory
Upcoming Training Dates
CDS Private Group Training
For companies & practices who provide a service to divorcing clients and would like their entire staff trained and certified.