Over the years since my first training in CP–Jan, 2000–I’ve taken over a dozen additional trainings, both basic and advanced.\u00a0I’ve trained others several times, both basic and advanced.\u00a0So someone might ask why would you do that?\u00a0 Don’t you know ‘how to do it’ yet?\u00a0Okay, so nobody really asked, but I’ll answer it anyway.<\/p>\n
There are two ways in which CP differs from the standard practice of law, from ‘litigation’.\u00a0One is process.\u00a0The other is purpose.\u00a0Or, HOW we do things and WHY we do them.\u00a0Or we might say aptitude and attitude.\u00a0The latter in all of those pairs is critical.\u00a0It is what we collectively refer to as the ‘paradigm shift’.<\/p>\n
Over the years, I’ve grown a bit concerned as the number of trainings and trainers has expanded–if not exploded–about my perception that the paradigm shift has been getting increasingly short shrift in basic trainings.\u00a0Its importance gets mentioned, even emphasized, “Collaborative Practice requires us to make a ‘paradigm shift’.\u00a0To change how we think about things and approach them.”\u00a0 But little more is said about it; about the nature of the change, much less how to undertake it.\u00a0 And then ensue 2 days or more of talk and role play about procedure.\u00a0My concern is that with so much time being spent on protocols, the impression may be given that the paradigm shift means nothing more than simply following these protocols.<\/p>\n
There was a note I scribbled to myself recently: “If you believe that you have made the paradigm shift, that alone may be good evidence that you probably have not.”\u00a0I say that because the ‘paradigm shift’ is not ever complete.\u00a0Because it is an internal reshaping of 1) how I see myself, 2) how I see my relationship with my client, the other client, and my colleagues, AND 3) what I see as my ‘job’.<\/p>\n
That kind of shift is never complete, or done, or ‘made’.\u00a0 It is always in process.\u00a0And most importantly, no change in protocols will cause it to happen.\u00a0Instead it is the shift in paradigm which prompts, indeed requires, a change in protocols.\u00a0They are both part of Collaborative Practice, but they are not equal.\u00a0Making one will require the other; but doing the other neither requires nor even prompts the former.<\/p>\n
I know it’s easier to teach a course on when and how to meet and keep notes.\u00a0And much easier to sell such a skills ‘training’.\u00a0 I don’t mean at all to suggest that ‘how to’ is not helpful and important.\u00a0However, if all we are teaching is a new set of ‘rules of procedure’, is CP really even worth getting excited about?\u00a0 I don’t think that the first ‘basic’ training is at all too soon to begin suggesting that the ‘paradigm shift’ involves a good deal of ‘personal work’ and outlining ‘how to’ do that work as well.\u00a0I hope to see more of it actively incorporated in basic trainings as we continue to grow.<\/p>\n
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When you are choosing a Collaborative Practice professional, take the time to find out how much ‘training’ s\/he has been through.\u00a0 It does make a difference.<\/p>\n
Also keep in mind that any professional who tells you s\/he is ‘certified’ or a ‘specialist’ in Collaborative Practice is, well, stretching things.\u00a0 There is absolutely no organization that ‘certifies’ Collaborative Practice professionals.\u00a0 So, take the time to find out how involved in CP that professional has been.\u00a0 Not necessarily how many ‘cases’ they’ve done, but how much they genuinely embrace that they haven’t learned everything yet and so they keep taking trainings.<\/p>\n
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Over the years since my first training in CP–Jan, 2000–I’ve taken over a dozen additional trainings, both basic and advanced.\u00a0I’ve trained others several times, both basic and advanced.\u00a0So someone might ask why would you do that?\u00a0 Don’t you know ‘how to do it’ yet?\u00a0Okay, so nobody really asked, but I’ll answer it anyway. There are … Continue reading Why do we take \u201cTrainings\u201d in Collaborative Practice?<\/span>