Working with Conflict in Groups
ONLINE, liveConflict is essential for groups.
Luckily, it's also inevitable.
But that doesn't make it less scary to facilitate.
Conflict is rarely about disagreement; it's fundamentally about awareness and is crucial to the growth process of a group. But most of us are hardwired to avoid conflict, we feel scared of it, and so group members and facilitators alike often try to suppress it.
As the group facilitator though, it's your job to help your groups become more aware of themselves and support their growth - conflict HAS to be worked with. Despite fears of things getting out of control or impacts on team morale or productivity, not addressing conflict is much more likely to escalate and cause problems in groups.
What if conflict became less something to fear, and more an electric energy in groups to harness for their purpose?
In this facilitation training, we explore and explain the deep processes within conflict experiences and share a range of tools for working with them that you can apply immediately to your group work.
If you work with groups, in a paid or unpaid capacity, and would like to feel more confident and competent to facilitate transformative conflict in groups, this training is for you.
Learn to Address Tension
Discover effective strategies for responding to conflict in the moment, helping you navigate and transform group dynamics.
Build Your Confidence
Build and practice your ability to intervene, transforming hesitation into considered action.
Recognise When to Intervene
Understand the key moments when intervention is necessary, ensuring you can identify the right times to step in.
Find Your Version of What to Say
Develop your own communication to articulate constructive responses in conflict situations, fostering curiosity and understanding with the groups you are in.
The workshop involves a mixture of theory, discussion and practice and includes:
- Recognising the Value of Conflict pre-reading
- Facilitator Grounding methods handout
- 2 x Powerpoint handouts
- 2 x 3 hr online live training sessions, with capped participation to maximise engagement
- Follow-up reflection and integration exercises
"Some excellent techniques for dealing with conflict, together with an opportunity to practice and obtain feedback"
"It was thought-provoking and gave an opportunity to practice challenging facilitation contexts"
"One never knows when conflict will emerge in a group - having a little something in the back pocket is extremely useful"
"Really helpful to understand and tune in to my own reactions and responses to conflict"
WHO'S ALREADY ATTENDED?
Working with Conflict in Groups has already been delivered to many facilitators. Participants come from a range of facilitation contexts, from solo practitioners providing high-level facilitation and consultation services, to organisations across a wide range of sectors including...
The Trainers
Dr Jane Martin
Jane has over thirty years experience as a facilitator in the public, private and not for profit sectors, including the NSW State Public Service, the non-government sector, the Australian Federal Public Service and facilitating Deep Collaboration between First Nation Peoples and Other Australians. Her commitment to working with conflict is born out of a deep appreciation of the value of difference, whether it be different opinions, views, ways of doing things or cultural diversity.
Her qualifications include a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, a Bachelor of Social Work, a Graduate Diploma in Education and a Diploma of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She’s an Accredited Coach (with the International Coaching Federation), Process Work Diplomate, accredited Deep Democracy facilitator, member of the International Association of Process Oriented Psychology, and a founding member of ANZPOP. She is an Associate with Collaboration for Impact.
Beck Ronkson
“Community members who's voices weren't being heard taught me about looking deeper into conflict. There were many reasons for this, not just one side not listening. Understanding and being able to work with conflict has been crucial to my work interfacing between communities and government”.
Beck’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts (Theatre) Honours; Organisational Coach (Global Coaching Institute); Diploma of Process Oriented Psychology (ANZPOP). She is a member of the International Association of Process Oriented Psychology (IAPOP), Alumna Sydney Leadership and is an Associate with Collaboration for Impact.
THE DETAILS
Date & Time
This class will run once in 2026, over two, weekly sessions of three hours each:
Wednesday 22 & 29 April, 2026
9.30 am - 12.30 pm Sydney time.
Fees
Professional Development points
This course meets the requirements for Category A, Continuing Professional Development points with PACFA.
If you are a member of another professional association, please check the eligibility requirements as PD frameworks differ widely.
Recordings
This is a live online class via Zoom. The theoretical components will be recorded and can be provided for those who cannot attend.
Cancellations
Cancellations with eight or more days' notice will receive a full refund.
Cancellations with more than two but less than eight business days' notice will receive an 80% fee refund.
Cancellations with two or less business days’ notice will not be refunded.
Register for Working with Conflict in Groups
ANZPOP acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands we live and work on, the Aboriginal Australian, and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the Maori First Nations peoples. We pay respect to their elders across time. We give thanks for the Indigenous knowledge that has informed the Process Work approach. We honour the courage, resilience, and spirit of First Nations peoples to counter the ongoing impacts of colonisation on their culture, well-being, and sovereignty.
