BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//National Association of Divorce Professionals - ECPv6.15.18//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:National Association of Divorce Professionals X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://thenadp.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for National Association of Divorce Professionals REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260421T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260421T130000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001724 CREATED:20230508T213054Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T154138Z UID:10001879-1776772800-1776776400@thenadp.com SUMMARY:Monthly Member Meeting | The Five Phases of Divorce Grief: How Divorce Professionals Can Be Most Effective in Each Phase DESCRIPTION:Join Oona Metz\, a therapist\, nationally recognized divorce expert and author of Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide For Women for this engaging talk. Divorce is not just a legal and financial process — it is also a profound psychological one. \n\n\n\nDrawing from psychological research and real-world case studies\, this talk equips divorce professionals with a practical framework for recognizing where a client is emotionally — from the initial stage of heartbreak to the emotional rollercoaster\, through mending\, letting go and finally\, moving on. When professionals understand the grief process\, they can anticipate resistance\, reduce unnecessary conflict\, improve communication\, and protect both their client and their case from emotionally driven missteps. \n\n\n\nKey Takeaways: \n\n\n\n\nIdentify the Five Phases of Divorce Grief and the behaviors commonly associated with each\n\n\n\nDistinguish between “high-conflict” clients and “high grief” clients\n\n\n\nLearn communication strategies tailored to each emotional phase\n\n\n\nReduce escalation and improve settlement outcomes through grief-informed advocacy\n\n\n\nProtect your time\, boundaries\, and professional effectiveness when working with emotionally overwhelmed clients\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker Bio:Oona Metz is the author of Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women. Her book has been featured on The CBS Morning Show\, in Time Magazine and on NPR’s Morning Edition. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker\, a Certified Group Psychotherapist and a Fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association. Her writing has appeared in outlets including The Psychotherapy Networker\, Psychology Today\, Social Work Voice and the Los Angeles Review. She has 30 years of clinical experience and specializes in treating women navigating divorce. Oona leads three weekly Divorce Support Groups for Women and is the founder of the Beacon Group Fellowship\, a program which trains mental health professionals across the country to lead divorce groups. She has given over 100 talks and workshops locally\, nationally and internationally.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Guests are welcome to attend one Monthly Member Meeting. To attend again\, we invite you to join our association** \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMember RSVP\n\n\nYou must be logged into your NADP account to RSVP. If you are not a member\, please use the guest RSVP form on this page.\n\n \n \n \n Username\n \n \n \n \n \n Password\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Remember Me\n \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  \n \n \n Forgot Password \n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\nGuest RSVP\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n "*" indicates required fields \n \n \n Not a member but interested in understanding more about the NADP and how our events work? Simply fill out the form below to join this event and see for yourself. Would you like to invite a non NADP member to this event? Simply complete the form below and they will receive an email with all the info they need to join. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Name*\n \n \n \n First Name*\n \n \n \n \n Last Name\n \n \n Email*\n \n PhoneProfession*Which professional category best fits?*– Select a Professional Category* –LegalFinancialResidentialMental HealthOtherProfession URL:https://thenadp.com/event/monthly-member-meeting-apr2026/ CATEGORIES:Member Meeting ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thenadp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/monthly-member-meetings-alt-624x351-sDkJVt.tmp_.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Nicole Shapiro":MAILTO:nicole@thendap.com LOCATION:https://thenadp.com/event/monthly-member-meeting-apr2026/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260519T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260519T130000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001724 CREATED:20230508T213054Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T034505Z UID:10001899-1779192000-1779195600@thenadp.com SUMMARY:Monthly Member Meeting | Building Strategic Partnerships in Family Law Cases: How a Co-Parenting Coaching Partnership Expanded Client Impact\, Authority\, and Growth DESCRIPTION:Family law professionals regularly help clients navigate some of the most complex and emotionally charged transitions of their lives. Yet many legal professionals recognize that legal strategy alone cannot address the communication breakdowns\, parenting conflicts\, and emotional challenges that often accompany divorce and custody disputes. This presentation explores how one boutique family law firm developed a strategic partnership with a co-parenting and step-parenting coach to provide more comprehensive support to families navigating separation and divorce. \n\n\n\nAttendees will learn how WhitsonLaw built a collaborative model around the BeH2O™ co-parenting framework\, a structured program designed to help parents improve communication\, regulate conflict\, and create child-centered parenting systems during and after divorce. The presentation outlines how legal representation and co-parenting coaching can work together in a coordinated\, wrap-around model that enhances the client experience\, improves case outcomes\, and supports healthier family transitions. Participants will also gain insight into the philosophy behind the BeH2O™ approach and how interdisciplinary collaboration can help reduce high-conflict dynamics in custody matters.In addition to exploring the client benefits\, this session provides a practical blueprint for other family law professionals who wish to develop similar strategic partnerships. The discussion will cover how to structure collaborative relationships\, maintain clear professional boundaries\, develop co-branded educational programs\, and leverage interdisciplinary partnerships to strengthen authority\, expand reach\, and attract aligned clients. By the end of the session\, attendees will understand how strategic collaboration can transform both family law practice and the support systems available to families during divorce. \n\n\n\nKey Takeaways: \n\n\n\n\nFamily law outcomes improve when legal strategy is paired with behavioral support. Integrating co-parenting coaching alongside legal representation helps clients develop communication and conflict-management skills that courts alone cannot provide.\n\n\n\nA wrap-around service model enhances the client experience. Coordinated collaboration between attorneys and professionals such as co-parenting coaches creates a more supportive\, structured process that reduces conflict and helps families focus on the best interests of their children.\n\n\n\nStrategic partnerships can reduce high-conflict dynamics in custody cases. When clients learn tools for emotional regulation and effective communication\, negotiations become more productive and legal processes often become more efficient.\n\n\n\nCo-branded programs and interdisciplinary collaboration strengthen professional authority. Educational initiatives\, joint workshops\, and shared resources position firms as comprehensive family transition experts rather than solely legal service providers.\n\n\n\nThis model is replicable for other family law professionals. With clear roles\, aligned values\, and structured collaboration\, attorneys can build strategic partnerships that expand services\, attract aligned clients\, and create better outcomes for families.\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker Bio:Debra Whitson\, Attorney\, Mediator\, and Certified Divorce Specialist®. Founder and Managing Attorney at WhitsonLaw\, PLLC. \n\n\n\nDebra A. Whitson is a self-made entrepreneur and accomplished attorney with over 25 years of experience in divorce and family law. As the founder of WhitsonLaw\, PLLC\, Debra has built a respected legal practice focused on helping families navigate complex legal issues with compassion and expertise. Her firm is renowned for offering tailored solutions\, including mediation and collaborative law\, to clients facing some of the most challenging moments in their lives. \n\n\n\nA summa cum laude graduate of Cornell University\, where she ranked first in her class with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies\, Debra’s journey reflects her unwavering commitment to excellence. She further honed her legal acumen at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University\, graduating magna cum laude and third in her class. This foundation of academic distinction underscores her dedication to intellectual rigor and strategic problem-solving. \n\n\n\nDebra is more than just a legal expert; she is a fierce advocate for victims of domestic violence and a leader in raising awareness about sexual assault and elder abuse. Drawing on her extensive experience as a former prosecutor and Chief Special Victims Prosecutor\, she has been at the forefront of creating and implementing best practices to improve victim care and offender accountability. Her work has earned her recognition as a trusted authority in her field\, including accolades for appellate advocacy. \n\n\n\nBeyond her professional achievements\, Debra is an innovator in leveraging technology to make legal services accessible. Through Mediated Online Solutions\, LLC\, she offers virtual family law mediation\, co-parenting coaching\, and divorce coaching\, providing efficient and effective support to clients nationwide. Her entrepreneurial spirit extends to founding Adirondack Alternative Divorce Solutions\, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting peaceful resolutions for families through mediation and collaboration. \n\n\n\nDebra’s holistic approach to family law stems from her belief that legal conflicts should be resolved with dignity and respect. Her dedication to her clients\, paired with her pioneering vision\, makes her a trusted ally for individuals seeking to move forward with confidence and clarity. \n\n\n\nDebra resides in the heart of the Adirondacks\, where she continues to serve her community while championing initiatives that advance justice\, fairness\, and the well-being of families.**Guests are welcome to attend one Monthly Member Meeting. To attend again\, we invite you to join our association** \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMember RSVP\n\n\nYou must be logged into your NADP account to RSVP. If you are not a member\, please use the guest RSVP form on this page.\n\n \n \n \n Username\n \n \n \n \n \n Password\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Remember Me\n \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  \n \n \n Forgot Password \n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\nGuest RSVP\n\n\n\n \n \n \n "*" indicates required fields \n \n \n Not a member but interested in understanding more about the NADP and how our events work? Simply fill out the form below to join this event and see for yourself. Would you like to invite a non NADP member to this event? Simply complete the form below and they will receive an email with all the info they need to join. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Name*\n \n \n \n First Name*\n \n \n \n \n Last Name\n \n \n Email*\n \n PhoneProfession*Which professional category best fits?*– Select a Professional Category* –LegalFinancialResidentialMental HealthOtherProfession URL:https://thenadp.com/event/monthly-member-meeting-may2026/ CATEGORIES:Member Meeting ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thenadp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/monthly-member-meetings-alt-624x351-sDkJVt.tmp_.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Nicole Shapiro":MAILTO:nicole@thendap.com LOCATION:https://thenadp.com/event/monthly-member-meeting-may2026/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260616T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260616T130000 DTSTAMP:20260421T001724 CREATED:20230508T213054Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260407T024626Z UID:10001904-1781611200-1781614800@thenadp.com SUMMARY:Monthly Member Meeting | Pre-Marital Mediation - Why NOT?! DESCRIPTION:Why Pre-Marital Mediation: \n\n\n\nAfter mediating divorce and family matters for over two decades and co-training burgeoning mediators for over 15 years\, I am now including a new “pro-active” approach to marriage\, determined to help couples embarking on a life together to have the best possible outcome. \n\n\n\nWhether it’s their first marriage or a second one\, before they say “I do\,” I want to help couples give the relationship the strongest possible foundation. Pre-marital mediation helps partners talk through the issues that matter most—money\, family\, career goals\, lifestyle\, conflict resolution—so they can enter marriage with clarity and confidence. \n\n\n\nWhy It Matters: \n\n\n\nLove is essential\, but lasting marriages thrive on understanding and shared expectations. Mediation creates a safe\, guided space to explore sensitive topics before they become sources of stress or resentment. \n\n\n\nHow Mediation Sets them Up for Success: \n\n\n\n\nClear Communication: Learning how to discuss difficult topics constructively.\n\n\n\nStronger Bond: Build trust and mutual respect by tackling challenges together now.\n\n\n\nShared Vision: Aligning their values\, goals\, and long-term plans.\n\n\n\nPractical Agreements: Creating fair\, flexible understandings about: finances;  family planning; extended family involvement and holidays; religion and spirituality; politics and world view; how they deal with loss of a loved one\, loss of a job\, failing health; leisure time vs work encroachment; shared humor; where to live: location as well as home ownership; chores: who does what; handling differences about neatness and clutter; taking care of their physical and mental health; taking care of children and aging parents; how and when  to settle differences and arguments;  All the potential “what if’s about the future that they may not see coming.\n\n\n\nFor second marriages:  All of the above in addition to blending families and the challenges when children have different ideas about what they want.\n\n\n\nIs a Pre-Nup a good idea for first marriages; It most certainly is for second marriages and we’ll discuss WHY.\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker Bio:After a successful commercial real estate career\, Ada turned her extensive negotiating skills to conflict resolution\, divorce and family mediation in 2003. Known among family\, friends and colleagues as a natural “bridge-builder”\, she trained at the Center for Mediation & Training in New York City where her formal education honed her natural abilities. She is now a co-trainer at that Center\, participating in both the 40 hour basic divorce and family mediation training as well as advanced trainings. She also mentors burgeoning mediators and co-hosts a monthly mediation peer group. \n\n\n\nAda is the founder of the Divorce and Family Mediation Center on Long Island\, a founding board member of the APFM (Academy of Professional Family Mediators) a former board member\, co-host of a monthly peer group and active member of the NYSCDM (New York State Council on Divorce Mediation.     \n\n\n\nA lifelong learner\, Ada participates in ongoing personal development & transformational seminars and training courses through Landmark Education and EnlightenNext. A student of sociology\, psychology\, philosophy and ethics she earned a BA from Stony Brook University with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in sociology.  \n\n\n\nAda believes that conflict can be a tremendous opportunity for growth and transformation. She is passionate about helping couples emerge with new possibilities in their relationships as they create a new family structure. From the time she began mediating in 2003\, Ada had a vision to open a center for divorcing families to find the support and resources needed to help couples navigate the uncertain and often daunting aspects of divorce. Fulfilling on this aspiration and providing the right resources is extremely rewarding for her. Mediating over 1\,000 couples over the past 23 years as well as training and mentoring aspiring mediators\, Ada considers it a privilege and a calling to do this enlightened work.  \n\n\n\nAda has presented before the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation\, the Family and Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York; the Employee Assistant Professionals Association; the annual tax symposiums of the National Conference of CPA Practitioners; The Mid Island Clinical Connection\, The New York City Clinical Connection and The Long Island Chapter of the Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. \n\n\n\n**Guests are welcome to attend one Monthly Member Meeting. To attend again\, we invite you to join our association** \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMember RSVP\n\n\nYou must be logged into your NADP account to RSVP. If you are not a member\, please use the guest RSVP form on this page.\n\n \n \n \n Username\n \n \n \n \n \n Password\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Remember Me\n \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  \n \n \n Forgot Password \n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\nGuest RSVP\n\n\n\n \n \n \n "*" indicates required fields \n \n \n Not a member but interested in understanding more about the NADP and how our events work? Simply fill out the form below to join this event and see for yourself. Would you like to invite a non NADP member to this event? Simply complete the form below and they will receive an email with all the info they need to join. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Name*\n \n \n \n First Name*\n \n \n \n \n Last Name\n \n \n Email*\n \n PhoneProfession*Which professional category best fits?*– Select a Professional Category* –LegalFinancialResidentialMental HealthOtherProfession URL:https://thenadp.com/event/monthly-member-meeting-june2026/ CATEGORIES:Member Meeting ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thenadp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/monthly-member-meetings-alt-624x351-sDkJVt.tmp_.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Nicole Shapiro":MAILTO:nicole@thendap.com LOCATION:https://thenadp.com/event/monthly-member-meeting-june2026/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR