CONFLICT COACHING 

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Abby is a divorce coach (also known as "family specialist") for clients engaged in the Collaborative process, provides supportive psycho-educational services to people in mediation,  and can participate as part of legal team for people who are in the midst of a litigated conflict. 

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She counsels people who are seeking to enhance their ability to manage interpersonal conflict – be it at the office, at home, or with an extended family member. Conflict coaching can help people who want to prevent an unnecessary conflict, preempt the escalation of disagreement, develop a more robust ability to engage in conflict more effectively,  or who need to manage a problematic situation independently (such as when, for example, the other person does not want to participate in mediation).  

 

As a Collaborative divorce coach, Abby works on a team with attorneys and often a financial neutral to help couples and families reach resolution in a respectful and safe forum without going to court.  Divorce can require a giant leap in self-control and the ability to control reactivity. While attorneys focus on resolving the legal issues, Abby focuses her work on the attitudinal, emotional, behavioral and child-related concerns.

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Generally, clients seek Abby’s conflict coaching services because they are interested in:

• participating in the Collaborative process

• preparing for a challenging conversation

• preventing the escalation of a particular dispute — it could be one that is  current or one that has been lingering from the past

• gaining perspective on the thoughts, feelings and actions of the other person

• navigating through oft competing advice from friends, family, lawyer, etc.

• better understanding and managing unproductive reactions

• developing new behaviors and language to pursue satisfying relationship(s)

• understanding relational dynamics, including the characteristics of the the people involved and the circumstances

• adjusting to change in circumstances

• developing additional competencies in order to effectively participate in mediation or litigation.

 

WORKPLACE COACHING

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Abby also helps people in the workplace enhance their ability for interpersonal dialogue, performance, and leadership. She tailors her work so that specific and manageable goals are established that take into account cognitive and emotional status as well as employment expectations. 

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While not therapy (coaching is not the treatment of a mental condition and would not, for instance, include a diagnosis), Abby does draw on a variety of strategies to help clients appropriately manage expectations, recognize barriers and engage strengths.
 

Abby has been trained by Olivia Mellan, a therapist who is a leader in the field of money psychology, in her Money Harmony approach to money psychology and money conflict resolution.  

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She generally works with clients through remote video but can meet in person in Westchester or Manhattan.

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