Preferred registration deadline: October 17th

3 CEs

We all have conversations we’d rather not have—whether it’s addressing conflict, giving tough feedback, or bringing up sensitive topics. Avoiding these conversations is a natural impulse, but unresolved issues rarely disappear on their own. And diving in unprepared can sometimes escalate the situation rather than improve it.

This interactive workshop offers practical tools to help you approach difficult conversations with greater confidence, clarity, and care. Together, we’ll explore the common internal and external barriers that make these conversations challenging, including emotional triggers, defensiveness, and communication breakdowns. You’ll learn how to anticipate and manage emotions—your own and others’—and how to keep the conversation grounded, even when tensions rise. We'll also cover strategies to help you stay present in the moment, adapt your approach as needed, and foster mutual understanding rather than division. Whether you’re navigating conflict in personal relationships, the workplace, or with clients, this workshop will help you build the mindset and skills to engage in hard conversations more effectively—and with less dread.

This is an in-person workshop that will be held on Washington University’s Danforth Campus. The exact location and directions will be emailed to registered participants before the course date.

General Admission: $65**
**Eligible discounts can be applied during checkout.

Class size is limited to 45

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Course Outline

Content Level: Beginner

Target Audiences: Social workers and other mental health care providers, including all managers or staff who are interested in conflict resolution topics.

Agenda:

• Introductions and review of goals - 20 mins
• Think, Pair, Share activities - 15 mins
• The Conflict Competence Model - 15 mins
• Difficult conversations start with listening; video discussions - 30 mins
• Review Mental of Models - 10 mins
• Ladder of Inference Reflection activities - 10 mins
• Positions vs Interests with role play - 15 mins
• 4-Step Conflict Engagement Process - 15 mins
• Practice;Debrief - 40 mins
• Closing - Circle, Square, Triangle Evaluations - 10 mins

Learner Outcomes

• Define common “conflict hooks” that contribute to difficult conversations and describe strategies for managing emotional responses and reducing defensiveness.
• Identify foundational communication strategies that promote clarity, understanding, and collaboration during challenging interactions.
• Recognize personal conflict styles and behavioral patterns that may impact difficult conversations and describe opportunities for growth.
• Practice basic skills for responding constructively in emotionally charged conversations, including active listening, reframing, and setting boundaries.

Course Completion Requirements:

The Brown School is an approved provider of Social Work CEs in Missouri and Illinois. To earn credit, attendees must arrive at the scheduled time, attend the entire course, and complete an online course evaluation. You may still qualify for partial Social Work Missouri and Illinois CEs if you miss part of the training. CE Certificates will be available online within 10 business days of course completion by visiting your learner profile at https://ce.wustl.edu/portal/logon.do?method=load&parentSite=brown.  You will receive an email notification with specific instructions for accessing the online certificate when it is available.

For more information about CEs, accessibility, refund/cancelation policy, our grievance policy or other inquiries please visit our About Us page or email brownprofdev@wustl.edu.