Mastering High-Conflict Personalities in Mediation
Mastering High-Conflict Personalities in Mediation
Date & time: 17 March 2026, 1.30pm to 5.00pm AEDT
Professionals in workplaces, families, and communities often encounter high-conflict personalities; individuals whose behaviour is intense, challenging, and resistant to standard conflict resolution approaches.
Mediators, legal practitioners, HR specialists, and anyone managing difficult interactions need practical strategies to communicate effectively and de-escalate tension.
Led by conflict resolution expert Linda Kochanski AM, this three-hour program offers hands-on tools and the proven LARSQ framework to help mediators or those in dispute resolution respond confidently and constructively in high-conflict situations.
In this program, we'll explore:
- Recognising and understanding high-conflict personalities
- Applying the LARSQ framework in practice
- Tailoring communication strategies to challenging individuals
- Managing stress and professional composure
- Achieving positive outcomes in difficult interactions
At the end of this live webinar, you will earn 3 CPD points.
Course Outline
1.30pm: Login / Welcome
1.35pm: Understanding Conflict
- Defining conflict – what it is and isn’t
- Constructive vs destructive conflict
- Sources and causes of conflict (adapted from Moore, 2003
- Conflict reasoning and emotional triggers
2.20pm: Conflict, Stress and Personality
- The connection between conflict and stress
- Differentiating conflict behaviour from personality
- Identifying high-conflict personalities
3.00pm: Break
3.20pm: Communication and De-escalation Strategies
- Applying LARSQ: Listen, Acknowledge, Respond, Solve, Question
- Active listening and acknowledgment of conflict
- Strategies to respond to and support high-conflict personalities
4.15pm: Group Exercise – Managing a High-Conflict Scenario (30 mins)
- Work through a guided scenario in small groups
- Apply LARSQ and mediation strategies in practice
- Facilitator feedback and discussion
4.45pm: Insights and Wrap-Up
- Key trends and lessons for mediator
- Practical tips for ongoing mediation practice
- Q&A and close
5.00pm: Finish
This live program is ideal for mediators, legal practitioners, HR professionals, and workplace advisors who regularly engage with challenging individuals and high-conflict situations. It’s particularly valuable for those with some experience in mediation or conflict resolution who want to enhance their skills, apply structured strategies like LARSQ, and build confidence in managing high-conflict personalities effectively.
This webinar is produced in NSW and features a QLD-based practitioner.
If you intend to claim CPD units for this educational activity, please note that CPD activities are not accredited by the Law Society of NSW or any other equivalent local authority, with the exception of Western Australia. If you hold a practising certificate in a state or territory other than Western Australia and this educational activity extends your knowledge and skills in areas that are relevant to your practice needs or professional development, then you should claim one (1) "unit” for each hour of attendance, refreshment breaks not included. The annual requirement is ten (10) CPD units each year from 1 April to 31 March. Some practitioners, such as accredited specialists, are required to complete more than ten (10) units each CPD year.
Practitioners holding WA practising certificates are eligible to earn CPD points for this course. For instructions to earn CPD points, please click here.
The time listed for this course is Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT). Please take note of any time differences if you are registering from QLD, WA, SA, NT or from outside Australia.
This course complies with the mandatory requirements of Professional Skills (2 points) and Substantive Law (1 point).
Linda Kochanski AM
Practice Leader, The College of Law, AMDRAS Advanced Mediator and FDRP
Linda Kochanski was admitted as a Solicitor in Queensland, initially specialising in Family and Criminal Law. She gained extensive experience in various areas of law but discovered a particular interest in family law and mediation.
Linda subsequently worked for Relationships Australia in various roles including Branch Manager, Coordinator of Mediation and Senior Consultant in Mediation. She has practised in all forms of relationship mediation. Linda continues to practice mediation as a private practitioner specialising in relationship mediation.
Linda has been a Tutor and Lecturer since 1991 working initially as a tutor with QUT. Linda has worked as a Lecturer in Professional Legal Education for Griffith and Bond Universities as well as holding the position of Co Director Bond University Dispute Resolution Centre. She has also positions with the Australian Mediation Association and the University of Southern Queensland.
Linda is a former director (2016 to 2024) of the AMDRAS Board and is an invited consultant for 2025. She is also Co Director of Global Training and Professional Development Ltd.
Linda has presented at national and international conferences on Mediation and Family Law and has published in these areas as well and has received industry awards for her work as a FDRP and DR Academic.
Linda is the current Senior Practice Leader at The College of Law for both their Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Resolution Practice and their suite of mediation programs
Please be aware that this webinar organised by the College of Law may be recorded for use on our websites, marketing materials and publications. By attending and participating in a College of Law Continuing Professional Development course, you consent to the College of Law photographing or recording and using your image and likeness and/or voice.