How many people does it take to have a conflict?

That's one of the questions we ask in our Beginning Mediation and Conflict Resolution class. Often students respond with "two," but the answer in fact is only "one."

When one person decides that things are not OK and seeks change ... that's when the spark of conflict is ignited. If the other person is fine with it, then the conflict goes away and they move on. But if the other person doesn't agree to the change, then there's more…

So, many of you know that I just started a new job as a Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice, and I could name off a million reasons why I chose to accept the position.

But, one reason was this: The company offers pre- and post-baby counseling for couples, something I always thought is sorely needed.

In fact, after I visited my Sister, her husband, and my newborn…

Have you ever sat in a meeting and thought to yourself ... I don't really know anything about these people beyond their name and role in whatever project or issue that brought us together?

So what triggered this random idea for today's blog?

Well, I had the chance to drive a colleague to the airport in Las Vegas last week. We got stuck in traffic and so we had more time than usual for conversation. Even though we have been working together for almost a year, I really don't know…

I have the utmost respect for those in the customer service industry. Seriously. They have to deal with cranky callers all the time, and I include myself among them.The other day, I was especially geared up for a fight when I called the customer service number for the I-Pass (the toll agency here in Illinois). I had received a letter in the mail stating that I had not paid two tolls, which I KNOW I did because I had the bank statement to prove it. And, boy, was I gonna let that customer…

I'm not one to follow the lives of movie stars and famous people ... but when I saw a picture of Gwyneth Paltrow with an online article entitled "Is 'Conscious Uncoupling' a Better Way to Divorce?", the mediator in my just had to click and read.…

As I was reading my AAMFT magazine the other day (it's one of my favorite magazines), I read an article on Faith-Based Therapy, something that's really started to catch-on in the therapy world.In essence, Faith-Based therapy is when a therapist and client use spirituality as the underlying premise for therapy. For example, a Christian therapist and client may look at healing through spiritual means or call upon the principles held by Jesus as a way to navigate the therapy process.…

Dear Farmer Brown:

The barn is very cold at night. We'd like electric blankets.

Sincerely.

The Cows.

This is what happens when a bunch of cows find an old typewriter in their barn - they write a grievance letter to direct Farmer Brown's attention to their living conditions.

"No way" says Farmer…

I, along with most of the world, am fascinated with the missing jet, MH 370. With all the technology, GPS capabilities, and radar, it still took weeks for authorities to find debris from the jet--another reminder that the world is much, much bigger than we think.

In the midst of the search, hundreds of families seem to be getting angrier by the day, wondering if the airlines are being forthright and honest with them regarding their missing loved ones.…