Home 2026 - Conflict Management Academy

Working towards artistry in conflict management and resolution

How we can help you?

The Conflict Management Academy offers a full suite of mediation and conflict management training options, from webinars and introductory short courses, accredited conflict coach and mediator training programs, fully compliant with the Australian Mediation and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS), and a large range of advanced training courses. Our programs combine practical skill-building, individualised support and mentoring, and accessible delivery modes to prepare you for real-world practice.

Free Courses

Start here if you’re new to CMA or want to explore what we offer. Access our popular Top Ten Tips course and a growing library of free webinars, all available at no cost whenever you’re ready.

Online Courses

Develop your skills at your own pace with our full suite of online training courses, covering mediation, coaching and more. Structured, practical and designed to fit around your professional life.

Webinars on Demand

Whether you are an individual wanting to improve your conflict skills and confidence, a leader creating a conflict positive workplace, or a conflict resolution practitioner developing your practice, we have a webinar for you.

Online Events

Join us live for webinars, masterclasses, Mediator’s Dilemma events and Artistry Drop-In sessions. A flexible way to keep learning, stay connected and deepen your practice from wherever you are.

Live Training

Prefer to learn in person? We run workshops at venues across the country throughout the year. Check what’s coming up near you and book your place on our next live training day.

Practice Groups

Grow through shared experience. Our Workplace Conflict Practice Group and wider programme of peer support, reflective practice and speed networking events give you space to connect, reflect and develop alongside others.

Annual Memberships

Join a supportive professional community with ongoing access to exclusive training, resources, discussions, and learning opportunities designed to help you grow your confidence and practice in conflict management.

Resources

Browse our collection of practical tools to support your work, including books, coaching cards, downloadable checklists and more. Everything here is designed to be used, not just read.

Blogs

Explore practical insights and fresh perspectives on conflict management, communication, leadership, and mediation. Our blogs support practitioners, leaders, and individuals navigating conflict with greater confidence and clarity.

Not sure where to start? Start with a free consult and we can help you in the right direction.

Why is it Important?

Learning, Growth and Connection

We are working towards a world where conflict is no longer feared or avoided, but understood as a powerful opportunity for learning, growth, and connection. By changing how people think about conflict, we enable individuals, workplaces, and communities to manage it with courage, integrity, and respect, creating a more peaceful future.

Community Based Resolutions

We are creating a global community where everyone has the skills, confidence, and mindset to engage with conflict constructively. In this world, disagreement is encouraged, difference is valued, and people learn together, transforming everyday conflicts into catalysts for collaboration, understanding, and meaningful change.

Conflict as an Opportunity

We imagine a future in which practical, evidence-based learning empowers people to challenge assumptions, reflect deeply, and apply conflict skills immediately in real life. Through collective learning and human connection, we cultivate mastery, artistry, and continuous growth.

Our Community's Success

Andrew Johnson

Healthcare Leader, Queensland Australia

Course Undertook :

Conflict Coaching Fundamentals and Practice Group

"It's the richness of different perspectives. I take something away every time."

Anne-Marie Dean

Wellbeing Specialist, Tasmania Australia

Course Undertook :

Facilitative Mediation

“So many different perspectives, all on the same topic. The online components got us in the right mindset, so we landed in the workshop in a really good way. I felt like I could just reach out and ask any question and always got a respectful answer.”

Anthony Dilley

Paediatric Surgeon , New South Wales Australia

Course Undertook :

Conflict Coaching Fundamentals and Practice Group

“The training was fun, comprehensive, and followed a logical sequence, with a strong ethical underpinning throughout. The skillset enables us to be part of a positive change, helping our clients move forward. I look forward to conflict coaching being an important part of my life over the next decade or two.”

Bonnie Schuman

, Los Angeles, USA

Course Undertook :

Conflict Coaching Fundamentals and Practice Group

“From day one you've been so generous, kind, and patient. I learned a lot, enjoyed the program, and appreciate all of it.”

Clare Robinson

Farm Business Consultant, New South Wales, Australia

Course Undertook :

Facilitative Mediation

“It's been great to sit in a room with all these other minds doing their wonderful things. The content is amazing, with so much to learn. Everyone's very accessible, and Sam in particular has been easy to reach. Anything you need is only an email away.”

Claudia Butler

Consultant, Tasmania Australia

Course Undertook :

Braving the Conflict Arena and Practice Group

“To be honest, I find it an exceptional program. I really liked the deep reflection into my own behaviours, and merging conflict theory with the Brené Brown philosophy worked really well for me.”

Dean Yates

Mediator and Coach, Tasmania Australia

Course Undertook :

Facilitative Mediation, Conflict Coaching Fundamentals, Conflict Management for Leaders, Working with Emotions in Conflict and Practice Group

“I've done a lot of courses in 42 years, and this is by far the most practical, best structured, and best run of any I've ever done. If you're looking for a tick-a-box course, don't do this one. You'll need to invest time and effort, but that's what gets you ready to mediate in real life.”

Elizabeth Franz

Mediator, Denver, USA

Course Undertook :

Practice Group

“I wanted to sharpen my skills and get more resources and references, which has been super valuable. And I'll echo what others have said: it's important to connect and support each other in this work. Finding those communities matters to me.”

Faith Altman

Conflict Resolution Specialist, New York, USA

Course Undertook :

Conflict Coaching Fundamentals

“It's an investment, but one worth making. It's everything you need to know, plus the foundation, plus a wonderful instructor, and it's not something you can get anywhere else. I now have the confidence to set up a private practice, and I didn't have that before. That alone makes it worth it.”

Georgia Hurst

Social Worker and Mediator, Tasmania Australia

Course Undertook :

Conflict Coaching Fundamentals and Facilitative Mediation

“If you want to be a really good mediator, this is the course for you. It develops a sense of artistry around what you're doing, with a deeper dive into the skills you need. It's been a wonderful journey.”

Hilary Bendon

Conflict Resolution Specialist, Peace Partners, USA

Course Undertook :

Practice Group

“I liked the community, not just the comradery, but the different perspectives. It's a great learning experience, and I've enjoyed learning from everybody in the group.”

Karen Bennett

ADR Specialist, New South Wales Australia

Course Undertook :

Conflict Coaching Fundamentals, Facilitative Mediation and Practice Group

“I'm already an accredited mediator, but I wanted to do this course because it's so well done. The detail is absolutely amazing, and the research is really well done. I got so much out of this course.”

Lesley Waters

Senior Lawyer at Woolworths Group, New South Wales Australia

Course Undertook :

Facilitative Mediation

“It's been a really fabulous four days in a great learning environment, with committed mediators from interesting backgrounds. The coaches did an excellent job answering my questions and helping me develop the skills I came for.”

Loriann Granados

HR Business Leader and Mediator, Minnesota, USA

Course Undertook :

Practice Group

“Learning to work with somebody through their own conflict, rather than resolve it on their behalf, was so powerful. It hasn't just improved my skill, it's changed how I view conflict and my role in it. These programs will be powerful for anyone who manages teams or works in a diverse workplace.”

Luci Fittler

Workforce Alignment Manager, New South Wales Australia

Course Undertook :

Conflict Coaching Fundamentals and Practice Group

“Right from the beginning, no question was too stupid, and Sam was always available. Having her talk through the content, with summaries and practice examples, helped it stick. It's almost a life skill: sometimes the job isn't giving advice, it's building capability in the people we work with.”

Nicole Carter

Social Worker, Queensland Australia

Course Undertook :

Conflict Coaching Fundamentals and Practice Group

“It was one of the best courses I've done, especially compared to my university social work courses. The REAL method is a practical, step by step approach, supported by evidence-based information, and it's applicable to really any type of conflict a person would experience.”

Peter Hanson

Mediator, New South Wales Australia

Course Undertook :

Beyond The Table and Practice Group

“I watch it, learn a bit, then put it straight into practice. I keep pausing to check my website, my branding, even my fonts, against best practice, then go back and do the next lesson. I find it really useful in that process.”

Sabine Steiner

Global Maritime and Team Capacity Developer, Tasmania Australia

Course Undertook :

“You do role plays and receive the video, transcript, and feedback from a very experienced mediator, which was one of the most profound learning experiences for me. The support throughout this journey is something I have not seen in any other course in my lifetime. I grew on both a personal and professional level.”

Simon Howden

Senior Executive Leader, Victoria Australia

Course Undertook :

Practice Group

“You don't know what you don't know. Hearing everybody's different opinions, from different places in the world, miniaturised my own issues and helped me sift through what felt complex. I come with an open mind and an open heart, and I always get something out of it.”

Sue Brereton

Conflict Specialist, New South Wales Australia

Course Undertook :

Conflict Coaching Fundamentals, Conflict Management for Leaders and Practice Group

“I worked in isolation for a long time, so getting like-minded people talking about dispute resolution is the thing I loved most. When you get comfortable, you get a little blinkered. This opens up my mind to everything that's possible, and I adore it”

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