High Conflict Institute

High Conflict Institute was co-founded by Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq., and Megan L. Hunter, MBA, to provide education and resources to professionals handling High Conflict disputes, and to anyone involved in relationships of any kind with people who have High Conflict Personalities (HCPs). Michelle Jensen, MSW, JD, first joined HCI in 2009 as the Program Coordinator for various HCI projects. She returned in 2012 to work primarily with the New Ways for Families method, providing education and resources on high conflict disputes in family law settings. Trissan Dicomes is a Paralegal who worked with Bill Eddy in his Family Law Mediation endeavors and joined HCI staff as the BIFF Response Coordinator in 2013. After years of working with High Conflict people (HCPs), we came to the conclusion that many disputes are not driven by complex issues, but by High Conflict Personalities. Based on Bill Eddy's broad training in mental health, law and conflict resolution, he developed the High Conflict Personality Theory (the "HCP Theory") and has been teaching the necessary skills for handling HCPs in a wide variety of settings: legal, workplace, healthcare, education, government, business, families and others. The BIFF Response project was launched in 2013 as a means of providing key skills in the setting of responding to and managing HCP's communications, particularly those in writing. HCPs become preoccupied with a target of blame-usually someone close to them (such as a spouse, relative, neighbor, co-worker) or someone in a position of authority (boss, doctor, administrator, government official). Managing HCPs involves using skills which are the opposite of what one feels like doing. Learning these skills takes time and practice, but can make an amazing difference in resolving, managing, and containing High Conflict disputes. Our coaching, consulting, books, DVDs, videos, seminars and other trainings provide opportunities for anyone who needs guidance and support managing relationships with HCPs. We provide seminars and consultations upon request, as well as host our own seminars for general registration. We are committed to changing the culture of conflict from one of all-or-nothing solutions, good and bad people, and shame and blame, to a culture of mutual empathy, attention and respect for all people while teaching new skills, assertively setting limits, and containing dangerous behavior.