Learn & Apply the Skills of Real Dialogue
At The Center for Real Dialogue, we support people in staying connected through conflict. Real Dialogue offers a structured, compassionate way to engage with difference—without needing to agree or compromise. It creates space for honesty, respect, and mutual understanding.
The core skills are: Speaking for Yourself, Listening Mindfully, and Remaining Curious. These practices help us slow down, stay present, and relate to one another without blame or defensiveness—so even the hardest conversations can become opportunities for growth and healing.
Upcoming Live Events
Projective-Identification in Couple Psychotherapy and Adult Pairs
Tailored for couple and family therapists, this course examines the concept of projective identification and its impact on enmeshment and trust within relationships. Clinicians will learn how to help partners cultivate a "mindful gap" that restores emotional space and allows them to see each other as distinct individuals.
Instructors:
CE Hours: 3
Friday October 2, 2026
10 am -1 pm EDT
Self-Paced Courses
Talking about Racism: Why It is Important and How to Talk about It
Drawing from peer-reviewed research and key texts on systemic racism and Jungian psychology, this course examines the premise that while "race" does not exist as a biological reality, racism actively impacts individuals and organizations. Clinicians will learn to master the "Skill of Real Dialogue" to comfortably navigate difficult conversations about racism in psychotherapy and Dialogue Therapy across diverse client backgrounds.
Instructors:
Polly Young-Eisendrath, PhD
Teaching the Skill of Real Dialogue
This course introduces how to teach the Skill of Real Dialogue to others in therapy, work settings, and community groups. Learn how to teach and promote the skill in your organization or community. Learn how to use the skill informally, “on the go,” as well as in formal settings. This course applies to everyday life as well as work and organizational settings.
Engaging in Healthy Conflict: Self-Awareness and Self-Regulation
This course introduces research and definitions of our “self-conscious” emotions that motivate us to protect and promote ourselves in groups, especially during stress and conflict. It also teaches how to prevent shaming or humiliating another person during challenging conversations and decision-making.
Learning the Skill of Real Dialogue
This course introduces the Skill of Real Dialogue as a mindfulness practice for remaining present and open during emotional activation. Staying alert and responsive during emotional conflicts or disagreements requires special mindfulness skills – the ability to concentrate and remain open while being activated.
Introduction to Real Dialogue: Overview of Principles and Practice
How can we increase our confidence that others “get” what we are saying when speakers and listeners are emotionally activated? This course introduces the principles and the practice of Real Dialogue. It is aimed at those who want an introduction or basic understanding of Real Dialogue which is an end-user skill, a facilitation method (for difficult conversations), and a set of principles for living without polarization.
The Three-Part Skill of Real Dialogue: Using Mindfulness in Conflict
Are you almost ready to pull your hair out because some clients do not listen to what you have said and continue to do exactly the opposite of what you say? The skill of Real Dialogue will bring relief through some quick pointers for what to do in the face of repetitive conflict, conflict avoidance, and defensiveness in yourself and your clients.