For Professionals
LEARN MORE ABOUT CCND
The CCND Advantage for Professionals
Are you a professional dedicated to helping individuals navigate divorce, separation, or other family issues through alternative, non-adversarial methods? Join our community of like-minded professionals! As a member, you’ll enjoy a range of benefits including free monthly meetups, specialized training and seminars, resource sharing, networking opportunities, and support in developing your practice.
CCND members adhere to the following standards:
- CCND Standards on Mediation and the Unauthorized Practice of Law
- CCND Best Practices for Review/Consulting Counsel and for Drafting Counsel in Mediations
- APFM Standards of Practice for Professional Family Mediators
- Model Standards of Practice for Family and Divorce Mediation adopted by APFM, AFCC, ABA
The collaborative practitioner additionally agrees to practice in a manner consistent with:
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals Standards and Ethics
CCND Ethics
All members of CCND ascribe to the Standards and Ethics created by the International Association of Collaborative Professionals, and CCND’s Standards on Mediation and the Unauthorized Practice of Law. In addition, all CCND members are subject to the legal and ethical standards of their distinct profession (legal, mental health and financial professionals).
Ethics / Best Practices
CCND STANDARDS ON MEDIATION AND THE UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF LAW
- The Core Activities of Mediation
- Drafting Agreements
- Providing Legal Information, Evaluation, and Advice
- Recommending Independent Legal Advice
- Preparing Court Forms
- Finalizing Agreements, Accompanying Clients to Court
- Written Agreements: Specifying the Services that the Mediator Will Provide
ACADEMY OF PROFESSIONAL FAMILY MEDITATORS STANDARDS OF PRACTICE FOR PROFESSIONAL FAMILY MEDIATORS
The professional practice of Family Mediation draws practitioners from other fields such as mental health, business, law, education, and other existing professions, but is a unique and separate profession. These Standards are meant to serve as a foundation for defining the Professional Practice of Family Mediation. High-quality services are expected and covered by these standards, regardless of whether or not a fee is received.
CCND BEST PRACTICES FOR REVIEW/CONSULTING COUNSEL IN MEDITATIONS + CCND BEST PRACTICE FOR DRAFTING COUNSEL IN MEDITATION
Review/Consulting Counsel in Mediations
The role of “review” or “consulting” counsel in a divorce mediation is an integral part of the facilitative divorce mediation model. The role is often critical for educating parties about judicial norms and shaping realistic expectations as well as fostering confidence so that parties can participate more effectively in mediation sessions.
Drafting Counsel in Mediations
Mental health professionals and financial professionals should not draft divorce contracts. Statutes, case law and the rules of professional conduct in CT are clear that such a practice is the unauthorized practice of law with very serious consequences.
MODEL STANDARDS OF PRACTICE FOR FAMILY AND DIVORCE MEDIATION
These Model Standards of Practice for Family and Divorce Mediation (“Model Standards”) aim to perform three major functions:
- to serve as a guide for the conduct of family mediators;
- to inform the mediating participants of what they can expect; and
- to promote public confidence in mediation as a process for resolving family disputes.
Board of Directors
President
Michael Conway, Waterbury
Vice President
Rosemarie Ferrante, Wilton
Treasurer
Sophie Denis-Helenek, Essex
Secretary
Michelle Adelman, Fairfield
Past President
Jennifer Luise-Champagne, Shelton
BOARD MEMBERS
Kathryn Bissonnette, Glastonbury (E)
Jill Bicks, Westport
Susan Busby, West Hartford
Abby Cole, Glastonbury (E)
Eva DeFranco, Danbury
Douglas Fishman, West Hartford
Brendan Holt, Woodbridge
Robert Horwitz, New Haven
Carolyn Kaas, Hamden
Beth Karassik, Cheshire (E)
Deborah Noonan, Norwalk
Traci Provost, Westport
D. Susanne Snearly, Southbury
Mark Soboslai, Westport
Louise Zito, New Haven
Events & Membership
ARE YOU A PROFESSIONAL INTERESTED IN MEMBERSHIP?
All CCND members have met rigorous standards for training in mediation and collaborative divorce. They all ascribe to CCND’s Code of Ethics, and conduct their practices at the highest level of professionalism and integrity. If you are a divorce professional who is committed to ensuring that families moves through the divorce process with respect and dignity, learn more about joining here.
Upcoming Events
40 Hour Basic Mediation Training
FEBRUARY 2 • 8:30 AM