High Conflict Divorce Coach Certification: Program Overview
High Conflict Divorce Coach Certification: Program Overview: Our Philosophy, Notable Alumni, and Plans for 2024 and Beyond
In January of 2021, we launched the first session of our High Conflict Divorce Coach Certification Program (HCDCCP): an eight-week, comprehensive training program for change-makers who want to work as high conflict divorce coaches (HCDCs), consultants, or advocates.
Flash forward to January of 2024, and we’re now entering our fourth year at the High Conflict Divorce Coach Certification Program. Thanks to our innovative curriculum and a remarkable support system of instructors and students, the HCDCCP has exceeded everything we first envisioned. We are creating an army of high conflict divorce coaches and change-makers.
Today, in celebration of our program’s growth and alumni achievements, we’re providing an overview of the program and coursework, success stories from five HCDCs – including their personal wins and legislative advocacy – and program information for 2024 and 2025.
What is the High Conflict Divorce Coach Certification Program (HCDCCP)?
The HCDCCP is a one-of-a-kind program that provides training for those who want to work as HCDCs or consultants to people experiencing high-conflict divorce or child custody battles.
Our eight-week program is offered every January and August. Each session includes self-paced modules and lessons, weekly online Zoom classes, virtual classroom discussion via Slack, and hands-on experience with a volunteer client as the final project.
Throughout the program, students learn from top experts in psychology, trauma, law, business, marketing, and coaching. Some of these experts include Dr. Ramani Durvasula, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Catherine Barrett, Licensed Clinical Forensic Psychologist, Dr. Kristine Danback, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Jeff Diamant, Divorce Trial Lawyer, Liz Dennery, Brand Strategist and Tina Swithin, Program Founder, author and advocate for family court reform. The weekly modules are organized by theme and give students an opportunity to engage critically with core aspects of divorce coaching, including the family court system, the psychology of narcissism, and trauma-informed practice.
Students can expect a weekly time commitment of 10-12 hours, with the ability to complete assignments at their own pace depending on their work schedules, family obligations, and other responsibilities.
“High-Conflict” Divorce Coaching Vs. Divorce Coaching
As defined by the American Bar Association (ABA), divorce coaching is “a flexible, goal-oriented process designed to support, motivate, and guide people going through divorce to help them make the best possible decisions for their future, based on their particular interests, needs, and concerns.”
The terms “divorce coaching” and “high-conflict divorce coaching” are sometimes used interchangeably, but “high-conflict” divorces or custody battles involve three basic narratives:
The abuser’s need for control
The abuser’s need to “win”
The abuser’s desire to hurt or punish the healthy parent
During high-conflict divorce or custody battles, these three elements support a vicious dynamic of post-separation abuse, in which abusers manipulate any involved children and other family members to continue controlling the healthy parent.
In the wake of these battles, survivors and their families deserve care, empathy, and strategic insight from a compassionate professional.
What Are the Outcomes of This Program?
Thanks to the interdisciplinary nature of the HCDCCP, our students are well-equipped to guide individuals through high-conflict cases and post-separation abuse. Students graduate the program with the ability to strategically assist future clients with:
Coparenting challenges, including boundary-setting and communicating with toxic or narcissistic individuals
Navigating the family court system, including the importance of proper documentation and clear communication
Staying motivated and creating action steps, always oriented by the client’s goals and core values
Above all, HCDCs operate from a place of strategy rather than emotion, serving to complement the work of attorneys and/or therapists who may also be supporting their clients.
After completing the HCDCCP, newly certified HCDCs receive their formal certificates via mail along with an electronic logo to use on their websites and promotional materials. Graduates also gain access to an online portal of additional resources for their new coaching practices, as well as a growing community of fellow HCDCs.
Spotlighting Five HCDCCP Alumni
Our graduates reenter the workforce with tools to create lasting change in the lives of their clients and communities. Below, we briefly highlight the personal successes, advocacy efforts, and professional goals of five HCDCCP alumni. For more of our featured alumni, please visit our HCDCCP blog.
Eleanor Marks: Eleanor Marks graduated from our program in June 2022. Currently, she supports over 100 clients around the world and plans to delve into public speaking to raise awareness of emotional and psychological abuse. In addition to her individual client work, Eleanor moderates an online survivor group, the Covert Narcissism Group with almost 60,000 members. She also facilitates a book club and six-week support group for individuals seeking divorce from covert narcissists.
Rachel Snow: Rachel Snow is an HCDCCP graduate and founder of Luminary Divorce Coaching, based in Colorado. After years working as a massage therapist and later as a birth doula, Rachel made the decision to become an HCDC at the beginning of the pandemic. She has since supported other women through high-conflict divorce, domestic violence, and post-separation abuse. On January 27, Rachel is hosting a virtual event: "Create Your Empowered & Informed Divorce." Prospective attendees can click here for additional information about the online event, which features a family law attorney and health and wellness coach as guest speakers.
Dana Tingey: Ever since graduating the HCDCCP, Dana Tingey – founder of High Ground Divorce Coaching in Washington State – has kept busy. Dana’s weekly schedule is full yet rewarding, comprised of both individual coaching and on-the-ground advocacy. Just this week, she organized a press conference to raise awareness of Kayden’s Law, which she and other notable advocates are working to implement in Washington State.
Kate Anthony: Kate Anthony is a recent graduate of the HCDCCP and host of The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast, a New York Times recommended podcast. In her podcast, Kate helps women (and particularly mothers) decide whether to stay with their spouses or leave their marriages. Regardless of their decisions, Kate offers a compassionate ear and educated insights, empowering listeners with strategies to heal their relationships or exit with grace. Today, Kate can add "author" to her impressive list of professional accomplishments. Her new book, The D Word, is an invaluable resource for readers seeking to make empowered decisions about their marriages and build lasting, healthy relationships.
Annie Kenny: Annie Kenny came into the HCDCCP as an established and impressive advocate for family court reform. In 2023, Annie co-authored a book titled, Stop the Silence with Dr. Pamela J. Pine and also gracefully accepted and excelled in her new role as Board President of the non-profit organization, Family Court Awareness Month. In recent years, Annie Kenny has initiated and assisted with important legislation that was passed in the state of Maryland. These bills are Maryland SB17 - Child Custody - Cases Involving Child Abuse or Domestic Violence - Training for Judges and Maryland SB57 - Sexual Offenses - Crime of Violence and Lifetime Supervision.
We applaud the amazing work of these coaches, consultants and advocates.
What is the Future of the HCDCCP
Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce the program dates for both 2024 and 2025:
2024 Calendar
● Winter 2024 Session (January 22, 2024 – March 16, 2024)
● Fall 2024 Session (August 19, 2024 – October 12, 2024)
2025 Calendar
● Winter 2025 Session (January 20, 2025 – March 15, 2025)
● Fall 2025 Session (August 25, 2025 - October 18, 2025)
We are deeply grateful to our past students, instructors, and guest speakers for their ongoing commitment to this work, and we’re excited to continue building our community of change-makers.
If you’re interested in joining this international community, please email tina@hcdivorcecoach.com for more detailed information about the HCDCCP. You can also peruse the HCDCCP website and blog, where you’ll find stories about current HCDCs and more information about how to become a HCDC.
Finally, if you’re ready to apply to the program, please visit www.hcdivorcecoach.com/apply-for-program and begin your journey to becoming a certified High Conflict Divorce Coach.
