National HR Expert Dr. Ben Earwicker, J.D., Ph.D. – Secure The Best Custom Austin HR Solutions Out There!
Custom Austin HR Solutions with Dr. Benjamin J. Earwicker, J.D., Ph.D.
Custom Austin HR Solutions
Let's Create YOUR Custom HR Solution
Why Contract with Dr. Earwicker for your Human Resources Needs?
National expertise. A customized approach to your HR systems. A thoughtful, insightful approach to your personnel issues.
Ben has overseen the adjudication and determination of thousands of claims of employment discrimination, retaliation, and workplace harassment as director of a state administrative law agency. He has mediated countless employment disputes and trained thousands of employees, managers, and C-Suite executives.
Dr. Earwicker can help you design your custom Austin HR solutions, whatever your needs.
Consulting that works.
Talk with me today about how my consulting services can help you move quickly to strengthen your Human Resources at any stage. Custom HR solutions should be personalized, just like your personnel and operations. Let me help assess your needs and create a custom HR solution for your organization, whatever situations you are dealing with.
National HR & Labor Law Expert Dr. Ben Earwicker, J.D., Ph.D.
Meet the Expert in Custom Austin HR Solutions
Dr. Ben Earwicker, J.D., Ph.D., offers fresh and innovative approaches to Human Resources management, drawing on his nearly two decades of experience with conflict resolution, employment law, and personnel management. He has successfully mediated hundreds of disputes through his national private practice and administration of a state-wide mediation program through the Idaho Human Rights Commission.
Custom Austin HR Solutions
The Custom HR Solutions for Your People and Talent Needs
I’ve helped businesses, agencies, and organizations across the country transform their HR operations. Whether you are a startup company without the resources for a full-time HR department or an established corporation in need of a third-party investigation, I can help. Whether remote and online or on-site, I have the experience you need to build your HR systems, provide ongoing training to HR and other staff, and get you the tools you need to address difficult workplace personnel issues.
When it comes to People and Talent, one size doesn’t fit all.
Maybe mediation could help turn a situation around. Maybe it’s time to have a difficult conversation with an employee who is fostering a toxic work environment. Perhaps you need support building out policies and best practices for personnel management. Talk with me today about your needs and what we can create to meet those needs.
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Mediation & Consulting
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Custom Austin HR Solutions - Contact Dr. Earwicker Today!
Ready for a FREE, no-obligation consultation?
Get in touch about your custom Austin HR Solutions
Use this form to send Dr. Earwicker a message, and we’ll set up an initial, free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation in greater detail. Dr. Earwicker can provide you with answers to your questions and a specific estimate, based on your custom HR solutions request & needs.
Call or Text Ben directly at (208) 440-5973
You can use the unique resume link supplied below by WPForms or request that link by email. Keep the link private, since it may allow access to your draft answers.
Custom Austin HR Solutions
HR & Employment Law Trainings
Custom Austin HR Solutions
Dr. Earwicker provides a range of Human Resources and employment law trainings based on his extensive experience as director of an administrative law enforcement agency, mediator, attorney, academic administrator, and professor. Trainings are tailored to your institution and employee needs, and topics can be expanded or combined, depending on your preferences.
The following list includes the most commonly requested trainings; others are available on request:
Harassment and Sexual Harassment Prevention
State and Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws
Respectful Workplace: Preventing and Addressing Harassment, Discrimination, and Incivility
Workplace Reporting and Resolution Procedures
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: Something for Everyone
Disability Accommodations and the Interactive Process
Service Animals in the Workplace and Public Places
Hiring and Firing Best Practices for Managers and Supervisors
How and When do the ADA and FMLA overlap?
Terms and Conditions of Employment: Best Practices for Supervisors to Maintain Fairness and Equity in the Workplace
Updates on Specific Statutes (ADA, Title VII, PWFA, etc.)
Sex, gender, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity: State and Federal Protections in the Workplace
Age and Age Discrimination in the Workplace: Preventing Discrimination Against Older Workers
EEOC and State Agency Investigative Processes: What You Can Expect When You are a Party to a Case Before an Fair Employment Practice Agency or Commission
Custom Austin HR Solutions
Build your People and Talent Division with my custom Austin HR Solutions today!
HR Support at EVERY Stage
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What Clients Are Saying
Custom Austin HR Solutions - Rates
Initial Consultation
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30 Minutes
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Consultation covers the Nature and Extent of Conflict and Goals for all Parties Involved
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No Obligation to Continue with VirNet Mediation
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Discuss your Situation in Depth
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Competitive Rates
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Total Hours Depend on Nature and Extent of Conflict
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Convenient Scheduling
Texas 40-Hour Basic Mediation Training
Texas 40-Hour Mediation Training. Learn the skills. Understand the requirements.
Develop a practical foundation in mediation through VirNet's flexible, on-demand 40-hour curriculum. Learn communication, ethics, negotiation, and mediation process skills through ten progressive modules and realistic simulations.
Texas makes important distinctions among private practice, court appointment, and voluntary professional credentialing. Our self-paced course is educational training, not an automatic path to TMCA credentialing or appointment to a Texas court roster.
The Texas Mediation Trainers Roundtable and Texas Mediator Credentialing Association currently require fully live, interactive 40-hour training under their standards. VirNet's on-demand, AI-assisted format should not be treated as meeting that requirement.
What can a 40-hour course mean in Texas?
The answer depends on your intended work. Texas does not issue a general state mediator license, but a court, dispute-resolution center, employer, or credentialing organization may impose its own requirements.
Learn mediation skills
Self-paced study can strengthen negotiation, de-escalation, neutrality, and process-management skills for professionals in law, human resources, education, counseling, and business.
Ask the appointing court
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §154.052 addresses training for court-appointed impartial third parties, including approval of the training organization by the court. Do not assume that any 40-hour certificate will be accepted.
Check TMCA's live-training standard
The Texas Mediator Credentialing Association uses its own standards, including a fully live and interactive training requirement. VirNet's asynchronous format does not satisfy that requirement as currently described.
A VirNet completion certificate documents successful completion of VirNet's curriculum. It does not constitute a State of Texas license, TMCA credential, TMTR approval, or a promise of acceptance by a Texas court.
One course. Three levels of support.
Every option includes the same 40-hour foundational curriculum. Select the amount of personal feedback and mentoring that aligns with your learning style and goals.
Self-Directed
Full course access with independent study
$775
Complete the 10-module program on your schedule with lessons, assessments, practical simulations, and downloadable course resources. Individualized instructor grading or coaching is not included.
View course & enroll →Instructor-Guided
Personal feedback throughout the course
$1,475
Everything in Self-Directed, plus individualized review and feedback from Dr. Earwicker on two assignments in each of the 10 modules.
View course & enroll →Private Coaching
Instructor feedback plus five private sessions
$3,275
Everything in Instructor-Guided, plus five one-on-one sessions with Dr. Earwicker to discuss your technique, professional goals, and growth as a mediator.
View course & enroll →Select a training option to review the full course details, current tuition, and enrollment instructions. Any applicable promotion will be displayed on the course enrollment page.
The flexibility of online learning, with opportunities to actually mediate.
Moving through this course is more than watching videos. Structured instruction, knowledge checks, realistic simulations, and reflection activities help connect mediation concepts to concrete decisions and conversations.
You can work through the self-paced curriculum wherever you have reliable internet access. If you select guided instruction or coaching, the program also incorporates individualized feedback and mentorship as described in your enrollment tier.
Inside the course
- Video lessons explaining mediation principles and practical techniques
- Readings, downloadable outlines, and supplemental learning resources
- Quizzes and exercises to reinforce each topic
- Interactive, AI-assisted practice conversations
- Reflection and application assignments
- A final evaluation and certificate process after completing required coursework
What you will learn to do.
Good mediation is both a thoughtful process and a set of skills that improve with practice. The curriculum develops these capabilities together.
Listen beyond positions
Identify emotions, interests, assumptions, and information gaps without prematurely choosing sides.
Guide a clear process
Practice introductions, issue identification, negotiation, impasse management, and appropriate closure.
Respond to challenging dynamics
Work thoughtfully with frustration, power differences, difficult conversations, and cultural context.
Develop practical options
Support brainstorming, evaluation of proposals, and careful agreement development.
Build professional habits
Explore ethics, neutrality, preparation, boundaries, and pathways for continuing mediator development.
A comprehensive introduction to the practice of mediation.
The course progresses from foundational ideas to more complex simulations and professional applications. These five learning areas summarize the content across the ten course modules; they are not separate enrollment products.
Foundations and the mediator role
The purposes, principles, ethics, and major approaches of mediation.
Communication and negotiation
Listening, reframing, empathy, interest-based bargaining, and productive questioning.
Difficult situations and power
Impasse, strong emotions, de-escalation, cultural responsiveness, and participant safeguards.
Structure, agreements, and practice
Stages of a mediation, option development, drafting, and realistic simulations.
Professional pathways
Online dispute resolution, professional boundaries, practice planning, and ongoing development.
Want to inspect the actual lessons? Each course page includes a curriculum view and course details before enrollment.
View the existing course curriculum →Four settings. Different standards and decision-makers.
Separating these pathways helps prospective students choose training responsibly. Course hours alone do not establish eligibility for a particular role.
Private mediation and professional development
Texas does not generally license mediators through a state occupational-licensing agency. People may seek mediation education for private practice, organizational conflict resolution, or professional skill building. Clients and referral sources may still expect training, experience, ethics, insurance, and subject-matter competence.
VirNet offers foundational education; its completion certificate is not a public credential or evidence of court approval.
Court-appointed impartial third parties
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §154.052(a), ordinary court appointment generally requires at least 40 classroom hours of dispute-resolution training through an ADR system or other organization approved by the appointing court. The statute also provides a discretionary exception in appropriate circumstances.
Ask the court whether it accepts your proposed provider, delivery format, supervised experience, and certificate before enrolling for this purpose.
TMCA voluntary mediator credentials
TMCA offers voluntary professional credential designations. Its published standards require 40-hour basic training that is fully live and interactive, and higher credential designations require additional mediation experience or advanced training.
VirNet's on-demand program is not represented as TMCA-accepted training; an asynchronous course is not equivalent to live interaction under TMCA's current standard.
Family and parent-child dispute mediation
For court appointment in parent-child disputes, §154.052(b) calls for the general training plus an additional 24 hours in family dynamics, child development, and family law, including at least four hours of specified family-violence dynamics instruction. Separately, TMTR maintains a 30-hour family mediation training standard.
These are distinct requirements; VirNet's foundational 40-hour course does not supply the statutory additional family training.
Self-paced and live-interactive training are not interchangeable.
VirNet's curriculum uses recorded instruction and AI-assisted practice that students complete on their own schedules. That flexibility can be useful for skills development, but it does not transform the course into the synchronous instruction required by Texas professional standards.
Online is possible; asynchronous is different
TMTR's current guidance recognizes online training conducted live and interactively for the entirety of the course, with a trainer affirming compliance. A self-paced recorded course with AI simulations should not be presented as meeting that standard.
Read TMTR's format guidanceAccepted basic training has separate criteria
TMCA states that basic mediation training for its credentials must be fully live and interactive. Its list of accepted training providers and application standards are separate from VirNet's general foundational program.
Review TMCA-accepted trainingAdditional hours are required for some roles
The Texas court-appointment statute specifies 24 additional family-related hours and four hours addressing family-violence dynamics. TMTR's separate family-training standard describes a 30-hour family course. Students should ask which standard their intended court or program applies.
Review TMTR family training guidanceIf your primary goal is TMCA credentialing or a court-connected mediator appointment, obtain the relevant program's specific training requirements first. VirNet can explain its course but cannot determine acceptance on behalf of TMCA, TMTR, or a court.
Let's discuss your training goals.
Whether you are comparing the three course pathways or exploring how the training fits a particular role, we can explain the program and point you toward the questions to ask your local court or credentialing authority.
For a useful response, share your state, intended practice setting, and any specific training requirements you've been given.
General VirNet contact page →Ask about the 40-hour course
Have a question about learning format, guidance options, or state-specific needs? Our training inquiry form is available directly below this section.
For enrollment questions, include your city/state, intended mediation role, and the option you are considering.
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Practice difficult conversations before mediating real ones.
Interactive role-play is a distinctive part of the training. Through realistic, AI-assisted scenarios, you take the mediator's role, practice responding in real time, and reflect on the choices you made.
Scenarios increase in complexity as you advance, including workplace, interpersonal, and multifaceted disputes. They give you opportunities to experiment with questions, reframing, neutrality, and ways of moving a conversation forward.
The technology is a learning tool; it is not a substitute for supervised practice or any state-required live training component.
From understanding a technique to trying it.
- Study the skills and frameworks.
- Apply them in an interactive scenario.
- Reflect on what happened and what you would adjust.
- Receive additional instructor feedback if your tier includes it.
Use national skills while learning the rules that govern your intended work.
VirNet's ten-module curriculum teaches mediator neutrality, process structure, communication, negotiation, and ethics. Texas practitioners also need familiarity with Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 154, including statutory provisions concerning impartial third parties and mediation confidentiality.
Texas-specific training may also cover professional conduct expectations, referral procedures, court rules, documentation, and local dispute-resolution center policies. These subjects are not automatically satisfied by studying general mediation theory or the Uniform Mediation Act.
TMTR publishes a two-hour Texas-specific mediator short-course standard for individuals whose prior qualifying training lacked Texas-specific content. That short course should not be assumed to cure a separate failure to meet the fully live and interactive basic-training requirement. Confirm eligibility with TMCA or the intended court before relying on it.
Learn from the mediator who built the course.
Dr. Benjamin J. Earwicker brings together hands-on mediation, civil rights and organizational dispute resolution, and years of teaching negotiation and alternative dispute resolution. All three enrollment paths share his 40-hour curriculum; the Instructor-Guided and Private Coaching options add individualized instruction.
Explore Dr. Earwicker's professional background →40-Hour Basic Mediation Certification - Instructor-Guided
40-Hour Basic Mediation Certification - Self-Directed
40-Hour Basic Mediation Certification - Private Coaching
Hear from people who completed the training.
Students describe their experiences with the self-paced format, interactive role-play simulations, curriculum progression, and personal feedback. Browse their full comments below to see which aspects of the program mattered most to them.
Testimonials reflect individual experiences and do not guarantee any particular outcome or professional credential.
Overall, this was an excellent 40-hour mediation course—informative, engaging, and filled with helpful resources. I especially appreciate having continued access to the course materials as I develop my mediation practice.
One of the most valuable aspects was the opportunity to create a concrete plan for my practice. Learning what it takes to build a successful mediation practice, then translating those lessons into practical goals and action steps, was particularly beneficial.
Thank you for putting together such a thoughtful and comprehensive course. I look forward to beginning my mediation journey and putting what I learned into practice.
I completed the self-paced course and found it to be effective at communicating large volumes of important information in an efficient manner. I feel that I am leaving the course with the skills I need to mediate complex disputes and navigate common pitfalls.
I really enjoyed this course, even when I wanted 40-hours to actually mean I only had to work for 20 hours! The role plays worked really well, and I was so impressed by the way they were designed so that I had an opportunity to practice the mediation tools that go with each module. My schedule is so hectic that I was concerned about scheduling and completing a course. However, I felt that you designed the course with your feedback to really give me the best opportunities to learn in self-directed mode.
I recently completed Dr. Ben’s 40-hour mediation course and found it to be a genuinely valuable investment in my professional development. I was particularly impressed with how the content was organized and delivered as the structure made it easy to build understanding progressively rather than feeling like a series of disconnected topics.
I completed the course with a clear sense of the recommended path and next steps, which speaks well to how the program is designed to set participants up for what comes after.
Overall, I’d recommend this course to anyone serious about building a foundation in mediation. I finished it feeling genuinely ready to move into the next phase of this process, which is exactly what I was hoping to get out of it.
This course was informative, practical, and incredibly valuable. The realistic role-playing scenarios helped me practice essential mediation skills like active listening, reframing, and identifying interests while learning to manage emotions and difficult conversations. The course strengthened my understanding of the mediation process and gave me greater confidence in helping people feel heard, respected, and empowered to work toward mutually acceptable solutions.
I highly recommend Dr. Earwicker’s 40-Hour Basic Mediation Training. The on-demand, self-paced format made it easy to complete on my own schedule, and the course gave me a strong foundation in mediation as I prepare to begin a new career after age 60. I would recommend it to lawyers, non-lawyers, therapists, or anyone interested in mediation or a new career path.
The course's use of interactive, AI-assisted role-play sessions was a particularly effective teaching
method. Practicing as mediator in realistic, back-and-forth conversations made the material feel applied
rather than abstract, and the communication throughout each session felt genuine and responsive rather
than scripted. This back-and-forth structure gave me the chance to actually practice de-escalation,
reframing, and interest based negotiation in real time, rather than simply reading about them.
Overall, this course was an enlightening and intriguing introduction to the practice of mediation. It was
clearly well put together, with a thoughtful progression that moved from foundational concepts through
increasingly complex, realistic scenarios. Starting with simpler two-party disputes and building toward
multi-party and emotionally charged situations, such as a parenting plan negotiation, gave the material a
natural sense of momentum and allowed each new skill to build on the last rather than being introduced in
isolation.
The written materials in Dr. Earwicker's course were clear and well organized. Concepts were explained in language
that was understandable without being oversimplified, and each sessions objectives were stated plainly
enough that I always knew what skill I was meant to be focusing on and why it mattered to the broader
practice of mediation.
Dr. Earwicker's course gave me valuable tools for handling impasses, teaching how to slow the conversation, identify underlying interests, and reframe rigid positions into solvable issues. The course gave me lots of techniques for reframing negative perspectives, helping transform tension into constructive dialogue.
The course was straightforward and provided the information to understand the mediation process, the dynamics of power, personality types, and cultures encountered in mediations. It provided the tools to move the parties from the opening to the agreement while de-escalating any issues, understanding the parties’ interests, and making sure everyone is properly heard. I can’t wait to get my practice started and put these tools into action. Thank you for the opportunity to obtain my certification!
Thank you for an exceptional mediation course. The course was clear and well-organized, and the materials were practical and relevant. Each assignment was evaluated within a day or two, which helped me stay engaged and motivated as I progressed through the material. The feedback I received was especially helpful—it was always constructive, specific, and thoughtful. It not only clarified key concepts but also gave me practical direction on how to strengthen my skills.
This course surpassed my expectations. Not only did I gain knowledge about all aspects of mediation but I had the opportunity to practice mediation skills as I progressed through the course. Practice was not reading case studies but actually mediating in real-time simulations. This was instrumental in building my confidence as a mediator. Another extraordinary aspect of this course was the personal developmental feedback provided by Dr. Earwicker. His feedback provided developmental actions that I could integrate to grow as a mediator and his availability and openness to questions added even more value. This intentional personal touch resulted in my feeling valued as a learner; I was not just another collected fee passing through an automated system.
The course reinforced the importance of empathy, de-escalation, and structured communication. My background in communication and conflict resolution allowed me to feel confident facilitating difficult conversations, while the simulations helped strengthen my mediation techniques and adaptability. Overall, the experience increased my confidence as a mediator and provided valuable practical experience that I can apply in future mediation practice.
What sets this course apart is that it doesn't just teach you how to run a mediation. It teaches you how to listen at a level most people never reach, to find the shared interest buried underneath a hardened position, and to hold space for two people who are hurting without losing your own footing in the process.
The skills I built here extend far beyond a mediation room. If you are serious about becoming someone who can navigate conflict with confidence, clarity, and compassion, this is exactly where you start.
The curriculum moves you from foundational theory into increasingly complex simulations that force you to apply what you've learned under real pressure. By the time I reached the final scenario, I wasn't just recalling techniques, I was actually using them in the moment, with competing emotions and entrenched positions on both sides of the table.
This course exceeded my expectations in both depth and practical application. The progression from foundational concepts to increasingly complex role-play simulations was well-designed and allowed me to build confidence incrementally rather than feeling thrown into the deep end. The pacing felt intentional, and each simulation built meaningfully on the last.
This program was exceptional! I found each of the 10 Modules more interesting than the previous one. I had no real experience in my law practice as a mediator since I spent my career advocating and litigating on behalf of my injured worker clients in the law firm I helped found.
Your program opened my mind and heart to another way to approach problem solving! I particularly appreciated the methods you used in your introductions to each module before diving into the particulars of each set of lessons. It set a framework in my brain of what to expect, which made it easier to really learn once I began the tutorials. Thank you!
I found the course thorough, well constructed and full of valuable content. I hadn't used AI for anything more than parlor tricks. It really felt like I was carrying on a conversation with other people. In fact I had to remind myself more than once I wasn't.
All-in-all, the course was a positive experience. I feel it will benefit me quite a bit in my mediation practice.
This was not a passive, checkbox course. It was self-paced, highly interactive, and designed for real learning rather than simply earning a certificate. I was able to progress through the material around a demanding schedule, with extensive reference resources available for deeper study. The strong emphasis on individualized feedback made the experience practical, engaging, and genuinely valuable.
This 40-hour mediation training exceeded my expectations in both content and delivery. The course was well-structured, practical, and thoughtfully paced, allowing me to build skills progressively while also having time to reflect and integrate what I was learning. The role-plays, scenarios, and guided reflections helped translate theory into practice and deepened my understanding of interest-based negotiation, mediator neutrality, ethical boundaries, and effective communication techniques. I also appreciated the clear explanations of the mediation process, from intake through closure, and the attention given to drafting durable, balanced agreements.
This Mediation Course was phenomenal; it covered everything. I have no questions after the end of this course; it was very detailed, very professional, and very well explained. Dr. Ben Earwicker was professional and attentive. Thank you so much.
Self-paced learning has been the most valuable part of this course for me. I am able to work through each module, review the mediation prompt, and reflect before beginning the exercise. The self-paced design continues to help me absorb the material, reflect, and apply theory in a deliberate way rather than simply enduring an extended training session.
Dr. Earwicker's certification was a fun, engaging, and highly responsive mediation course that brings real-world skills to life. Practical, interactive, and confidence-building—I’d recommend it to anyone serious about mediation. Thank you, too, for being very quick and responsive. It made the class very relaxing not having to wait long for feedback or help.
The Virtual Mediation program was a great find! The role-play simulations and practical application of mediation skills were the most valuable to me. They helped me better understand how theory translates into real conversations. The course helped me strengthen my active listening, neutrality, and confidence in managing difficult discussions. I found that this course presented a clear structure, realistic scenarios, and opportunities to practice mediator language. Thank you for all of your wonderful feedback and for the opportunity to be a part of this course.
I appreciated how quickly assignments were graded and feedback was given, which helped me build confidence in myself and helped me know what things I could easily improve upon. The videos were engaging, and the amount of work involved was very reasonable. I can tell you put a lot of thoughtful work and effort into this curriculum. Thank you!
This mediation certification course provided me with more information than I realized would even be available. It provided me with real time scenario situations to mediate using the skills I had learned from the videos. What I found most important was the feedback directly from Dr. Earwicker. It wasn’t just cut and paste feedback. It was very specific to my mediation in my reflections
What stood out most to me in your approach was the way you integrated AI into the course. I thought that was ingenious. I’ve taken other mediation courses before and, frankly, many of them felt flat—they simply didn’t translate well into practice. Your use of AI, by contrast, added an immediacy and practicality that made the lessons come alive. It allowed me to apply what you were teaching contemporaneously, which was invaluable.
Ultimately, this course has helped me evolve from a problem-solver to a solution-facilitator, which I believe will make me not only a more effective attorney, but also a better communicator overall.
In this course, I have come to appreciate that mediation is more than simply managing disputes—it is about creating a safe and constructive space where people can be heard, respected, and guided toward resolution. The role-play simulations allowed me to put theory into practice and experience the challenge of balancing neutrality, empathy, and structure while facilitating difficult conversations.
I wasn't sure how an online training would work for this, but am pleasantly surprised at how effective this training was. I appreciate the time and effort you took to create it, as I would not have been able to receive such great training otherwise - my schedule prevented anything in person. Thank you for everything!
As a licensed clinical social worker, I came into this course with a strong foundation in therapeutic communication, emotional attunement, and conflict work. What this course added for me was a more structured framework for mediation—particularly how to remain neutral and process-focused in situations where my clinical instincts might otherwise lead me toward interpretation or problem-solving.
As a recent college grad, online classes have been something that I have oftentimes disliked just because of the difficulty of teaching through online lectures. These lectures bypassed many of my fears as they were incredibly informative and helpful. I enjoyed that the modules were laid out so that the exercises that were assigned made sense with the material we had been learning. I was also very impressed by the chat bot model for the exercises as they were surprisingly realistic.
This was a fantastic course with a variety of teaching modalities and thorough content to prepare me for the world of mediation. I am far more confident in my skills after the AI role-play practices and incorporating Dr. Earwicker's feedback after each assignment. Highly recommend!
As a therapist by trade, I found this course to be exceptionally clear, well-structured, and directly applicable to my clinical and professional work. The material was presented in a way that made complex mediation concepts feel accessible without oversimplifying them, which I truly appreciated. The explanations were thoughtful, grounded, and practical, allowing me to immediately see how the skills translate into real-world situations.
Overall, I truly am impressed with the content of the course, and how it is flowing. I'm so impressed by the course :). Thank you, I look forward to what's left!
Even though I came in with no background in mediation, the course helped me feel well prepared. The ideas about interest-based communication and de-escalation really stuck with me and helped during the role-plays. I now see how these tools can apply not just in mediation, but in everyday situations too.
I like the way this course builds. You provide the information, confirm with quizzes, then allow for use of knowledge – role play. I also enjoy that each role-play has built on the material and itself. It has given me the opportunity to improve including my active listening, open ended questions, reframing, and making sure I stay neutral.
The lectures contained a great deal of depth into a wide range of material, and I appreciated the source references so that I can deepen further into the material. I would highly recommend this course to anyone seeking good mediation training.
This class really helped me understand that mediation isn’t just about following a process — it’s about helping people feel heard and safe enough to communicate honestly. The whistleblower role-play between Maya, a senior accountant, and James, the CEO, was intense but realistic, and it gave me a chance to practice staying calm, neutral, and focused when emotions ran high.
This course has become an invaluable toolbox for me—not only in the context of mediating family law disputes, but also in transforming my overall approach to conflict
To be candid, when I began the class, I wasn’t terribly enthused. I thought it might be something I could shortcut my way through. In fact, it was quite the opposite. It required real effort—but I am better for it. Revisiting the fundamentals of the mediation process was refreshing, and I plan to read Getting to Yes because of your recommendation. I see its application not only in mediation, but in negotiation and everyday life.
One of the most eye-opening aspects of this course has been the exploration of implicit and explicit bias. These concepts have challenged me to reflect on my own assumptions and behaviors, and how they may inadvertently affect my interactions with clients, colleagues, and opposing counsel.
This course has become an incredibly enjoyable and enriching experience. Each module builds upon the last, and the tools I’ve gained—especially those related to planning strategies for a successful mediation practice—are proving to be invaluable in both academic and personal contexts. The practical applications of these strategies have started to influence how I approach conflict resolution in my daily life, making me more thoughtful, intentional, and effective in my interactions.
Ultimately, this course is helping me evolve from a culturally aware attorney to a culturally responsive one. It is not enough to be familiar with different cultures; I must also be intentional in how I engage with them.
The inclusion in your program of both the tools needed to be a good mediator (such as active listening, managing emotions, bias and cultural diversity, ethical standards) and then the practical steps to build a mediation practice were invaluable. There were many suggestions that had not occurred to me before I signed up for your program when I was first asked to become a mediator by several judges in my legal community.
I give this course 5 stars out of 5. I appreciate how efficient it was to get the required 40 hour training without having to sit in a hotel conference room for a week, not get paid the whole time, and listen to someone read from slides with random Q&A for the same five participants. The on-demand format was fantastic.
As a therapist, I found this mediation course to be incredibly clear, well-organized, and immediately applicable to my work. The concepts were explained in a way that felt accessible without being simplistic, and the practical examples helped bridge theory and real-world practice. I especially appreciated how the course complemented my clinical skills while offering a distinct mediation framework. Overall, it was a thoughtful, engaging experience that I would highly recommend to other therapists and helping professionals.
Overall, this course significantly strengthened my confidence and competence as a developing mediator. I am well-prepared to apply these skills in professional and community settings, and I highly recommend this training to others seeking a comprehensive and practical mediation education.
A 40-hour training certificate is a foundation, not automatic state certification.
After successfully completing the program's requirements, students may obtain a certificate documenting completion of the 40-hour basic mediation training. What that certificate qualifies you to do depends on the court, program, employer, or jurisdiction.
Some court-connected programs require specific approved providers, live or synchronous instruction, observed exercises, subject-specific training, mentoring, supervised cases, or additional credentials. Private mediation practice and eligibility for a court roster may have different requirements.
Before enrolling for a particular credential, compare the course format with the current requirements of the relevant state, court, or roster administrator. Written confirmation from that authority is preferable when requirements are unclear.
Questions about training, courts, and credentials in Texas.
These answers distinguish what VirNet's self-paced course teaches from the qualifications that courts and professional organizations may require.
Does Texas have a general state-issued mediator license?
No. Texas does not have a general state agency that licenses all mediators. Nevertheless, eligibility for court appointments, dispute-resolution centers, private panels, and TMCA professional credentials can involve training, experience, and other requirements.
Does VirNet's on-demand 40-hour course qualify me for TMCA credentialing?
It should not be treated as qualifying basic training under TMCA's current standards. TMCA requires its accepted 40-hour basic training to be fully live and interactive. VirNet's independently paced recorded instruction and AI-assisted practice are not equivalent to that live format. Confirm current requirements directly with TMCA.
Will a Texas court accept this course for appointment under section 154.052?
Do not assume so. Section 154.052(a) generally requires at least 40 classroom hours from an ADR system or organization approved by the appointing court, subject to statutory exceptions. A particular court must determine what it accepts, including the provider and training format. VirNet does not promise court approval.
Does TMTR approve a fully self-paced course with AI-assisted role-plays?
TMTR's published guidance states that online training meeting its standards is conducted live and interactively throughout. An asynchronous course with AI role-play simulations should not be represented as TMTR-approved merely because the simulations are interactive.
What additional training does Texas require for parent-child mediation?
For court appointment in disputes relating to the parent-child relationship, section 154.052(b) specifies the basic training plus an additional 24 hours in family dynamics, child development, and family law, including at least four hours of specified family-violence dynamics instruction. TMTR separately publishes a 30-hour family mediation training standard. VirNet's basic course is not a substitute for those additional requirements.
Can I use the course for professional development even if I do not seek a court credential?
Yes. Learners may take VirNet's 40-hour curriculum to develop foundational mediation, communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills. Whether a particular employer, association, licensing board, or continuing-education program gives credit is a separate decision to verify beforehand.
What is the TMTR Texas-specific two-hour short course?
TMTR describes a two-hour program focusing on Texas ADR law, ethics, and professional considerations for learners whose prior training otherwise meets the relevant basic-training standards except for Texas-specific elements. It is not a general substitute for required live and interactive basic training; ask TMCA or the relevant court whether it can help in your circumstances.
Does the Instructor-Guided or Private Coaching tier satisfy TMCA's live-training requirement?
Not automatically. Although those tiers include individualized feedback or private coaching, the underlying basic 40-hour curriculum remains self-paced. Supplemental meetings should not be represented as converting the entire program into the fully live, interactive training required by TMCA.
What certificate does VirNet provide?
After meeting the program's completion requirements, learners may receive documentation of completion of VirNet's foundational 40-hour curriculum. The certificate is not issued by the State of Texas, TMTR, or TMCA and does not itself create eligibility for a court roster or professional credential.
How do I decide whether to enroll?
Identify your immediate goal. For foundational skill development, review VirNet's curriculum and three levels of instructor support. For court appointment or credentialing, obtain the governing body's training standards first and choose a course that satisfies them. You can send VirNet those requirements and ask about our course's specific format.
Start building your mediation skills.
One 40-hour curriculum, three ways to learn, and a practical focus on the conversations mediators actually navigate. Choose your preferred level of support and review the course before enrolling.
National HR Expert Dr. Ben Earwicker, J.D., Ph.D. – Secure The Best Custom Beaumont HR Solutions Out There!
Custom Beaumont HR Solutions with Dr. Benjamin J. Earwicker, J.D., Ph.D.
Custom Beaumont HR Solutions
Let's Create YOUR Custom HR Solution
Why Contract with Dr. Earwicker for your Human Resources Needs?
National expertise. A customized approach to your HR systems. A thoughtful, insightful approach to your personnel issues.
Ben has overseen the adjudication and determination of thousands of claims of employment discrimination, retaliation, and workplace harassment as director of a state administrative law agency. He has mediated countless employment disputes and trained thousands of employees, managers, and C-Suite executives.
Dr. Earwicker can help you design your custom Beaumont HR solutions, whatever your needs.
Consulting that works.
Talk with me today about how my consulting services can help you move quickly to strengthen your Human Resources at any stage. Custom HR solutions should be personalized, just like your personnel and operations. Let me help assess your needs and create a custom HR solution for your organization, whatever situations you are dealing with.
National HR & Labor Law Expert Dr. Ben Earwicker, J.D., Ph.D.
Meet the Expert in Custom Beaumont HR Solutions
Dr. Ben Earwicker, J.D., Ph.D., offers fresh and innovative approaches to Human Resources management, drawing on his nearly two decades of experience with conflict resolution, employment law, and personnel management. He has successfully mediated hundreds of disputes through his national private practice and administration of a state-wide mediation program through the Idaho Human Rights Commission.
Custom Beaumont HR Solutions
The Custom HR Solutions for Your People and Talent Needs
I’ve helped businesses, agencies, and organizations across the country transform their HR operations. Whether you are a startup company without the resources for a full-time HR department or an established corporation in need of a third-party investigation, I can help. Whether remote and online or on-site, I have the experience you need to build your HR systems, provide ongoing training to HR and other staff, and get you the tools you need to address difficult workplace personnel issues.
When it comes to People and Talent, one size doesn’t fit all.
Maybe mediation could help turn a situation around. Maybe it’s time to have a difficult conversation with an employee who is fostering a toxic work environment. Perhaps you need support building out policies and best practices for personnel management. Talk with me today about your needs and what we can create to meet those needs.
Just Need Training?
Custom HR Solutions
Personnel Management
C-Suite & Manager Training
Front-Line Employee Training
Reporting Hotline
Internal Investigations
Mediation & Consulting
Policy Development
HR Audits
Custom Beaumont HR Solutions - Contact Dr. Earwicker Today!
Ready for a FREE, no-obligation consultation?
Get in touch about your custom Beaumont HR Solutions
Use this form to send Dr. Earwicker a message, and we’ll set up an initial, free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation in greater detail. Dr. Earwicker can provide you with answers to your questions and a specific estimate, based on your custom HR solutions request & needs.
Call or Text Ben directly at (208) 440-5973
You can use the unique resume link supplied below by WPForms or request that link by email. Keep the link private, since it may allow access to your draft answers.
Custom Beaumont HR Solutions
HR & Employment Law Trainings
Custom Beaumont HR Solutions
Dr. Earwicker provides a range of Human Resources and employment law trainings based on his extensive experience as director of an administrative law enforcement agency, mediator, attorney, academic administrator, and professor. Trainings are tailored to your institution and employee needs, and topics can be expanded or combined, depending on your preferences.
The following list includes the most commonly requested trainings; others are available on request:
Harassment and Sexual Harassment Prevention
State and Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws
Respectful Workplace: Preventing and Addressing Harassment, Discrimination, and Incivility
Workplace Reporting and Resolution Procedures
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: Something for Everyone
Disability Accommodations and the Interactive Process
Service Animals in the Workplace and Public Places
Hiring and Firing Best Practices for Managers and Supervisors
How and When do the ADA and FMLA overlap?
Terms and Conditions of Employment: Best Practices for Supervisors to Maintain Fairness and Equity in the Workplace
Updates on Specific Statutes (ADA, Title VII, PWFA, etc.)
Sex, gender, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity: State and Federal Protections in the Workplace
Age and Age Discrimination in the Workplace: Preventing Discrimination Against Older Workers
EEOC and State Agency Investigative Processes: What You Can Expect When You are a Party to a Case Before an Fair Employment Practice Agency or Commission
Custom Beaumont HR Solutions
Build your People and Talent Division with my custom Beaumont HR Solutions today!
HR Support at EVERY Stage
-
National/Regional Searches
-
Applicant Screening
-
Interview Support
-
Contract Negotiation
-
Onboarding
-
New Employee Training
Set Your Employees up for Success
-
Quarterly & Annual Training
-
Performance Reviews
-
Interviews & Listening Sessions
-
Employee Hotline
-
Systems Analysis & Consulting
Get Help with the Hard Stuff
-
Internal Investigations
-
Progressive Discipline & Corrective Action
-
Last Chance Warnings
-
Supervisor Coaching
-
Termination Actions
-
Exit Interviews
What Clients Are Saying
Custom Beaumont HR Solutions - Rates
Initial Consultation
-
30 Minutes
-
Consultation covers the Nature and Extent of Conflict and Goals for all Parties Involved
-
No Obligation to Continue with VirNet Mediation
-
Discuss your Situation in Depth
Hourly Rate
-
Competitive Rates
-
Total Hours Depend on Nature and Extent of Conflict
-
Billing can be Divided
-
Convenient Scheduling
National HR Expert Dr. Ben Earwicker, J.D., Ph.D. – Secure The Best Custom Brownsville TX HR Solutions Out There!
Custom Brownsville TX HR Solutions with Dr. Benjamin J. Earwicker, J.D., Ph.D.
Custom Brownsville TX HR Solutions
Let's Create YOUR Custom HR Solution
Why Contract with Dr. Earwicker for your Human Resources Needs?
National expertise. A customized approach to your HR systems. A thoughtful, insightful approach to your personnel issues.
Ben has overseen the adjudication and determination of thousands of claims of employment discrimination, retaliation, and workplace harassment as director of a state administrative law agency. He has mediated countless employment disputes and trained thousands of employees, managers, and C-Suite executives.
Dr. Earwicker can help you design your custom Brownsville TX HR solutions, whatever your needs.
Consulting that works.
Talk with me today about how my consulting services can help you move quickly to strengthen your Human Resources at any stage. Custom HR solutions should be personalized, just like your personnel and operations. Let me help assess your needs and create a custom HR solution for your organization, whatever situations you are dealing with.
National HR & Labor Law Expert Dr. Ben Earwicker, J.D., Ph.D.
Meet the Expert in Custom Brownsville TX HR Solutions
Dr. Ben Earwicker, J.D., Ph.D., offers fresh and innovative approaches to Human Resources management, drawing on his nearly two decades of experience with conflict resolution, employment law, and personnel management. He has successfully mediated hundreds of disputes through his national private practice and administration of a state-wide mediation program through the Idaho Human Rights Commission.
Custom Brownsville TX HR Solutions
The Custom HR Solutions for Your People and Talent Needs
I’ve helped businesses, agencies, and organizations across the country transform their HR operations. Whether you are a startup company without the resources for a full-time HR department or an established corporation in need of a third-party investigation, I can help. Whether remote and online or on-site, I have the experience you need to build your HR systems, provide ongoing training to HR and other staff, and get you the tools you need to address difficult workplace personnel issues.
When it comes to People and Talent, one size doesn’t fit all.
Maybe mediation could help turn a situation around. Maybe it’s time to have a difficult conversation with an employee who is fostering a toxic work environment. Perhaps you need support building out policies and best practices for personnel management. Talk with me today about your needs and what we can create to meet those needs.
Just Need Training?
Custom HR Solutions
Personnel Management
C-Suite & Manager Training
Front-Line Employee Training
Reporting Hotline
Internal Investigations
Mediation & Consulting
Policy Development
HR Audits
Custom Brownsville TX HR Solutions - Contact Dr. Earwicker Today!
Ready for a FREE, no-obligation consultation?
Get in touch about your custom Brownsville TX HR Solutions
Use this form to send Dr. Earwicker a message, and we’ll set up an initial, free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation in greater detail. Dr. Earwicker can provide you with answers to your questions and a specific estimate, based on your custom HR solutions request & needs.
Call or Text Ben directly at (208) 440-5973
You can use the unique resume link supplied below by WPForms or request that link by email. Keep the link private, since it may allow access to your draft answers.
Custom Brownsville TX HR Solutions
HR & Employment Law Trainings
Custom Brownsville TX HR Solutions
Dr. Earwicker provides a range of Human Resources and employment law trainings based on his extensive experience as director of an administrative law enforcement agency, mediator, attorney, academic administrator, and professor. Trainings are tailored to your institution and employee needs, and topics can be expanded or combined, depending on your preferences.
The following list includes the most commonly requested trainings; others are available on request:
Harassment and Sexual Harassment Prevention
State and Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws
Respectful Workplace: Preventing and Addressing Harassment, Discrimination, and Incivility
Workplace Reporting and Resolution Procedures
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: Something for Everyone
Disability Accommodations and the Interactive Process
Service Animals in the Workplace and Public Places
Hiring and Firing Best Practices for Managers and Supervisors
How and When do the ADA and FMLA overlap?
Terms and Conditions of Employment: Best Practices for Supervisors to Maintain Fairness and Equity in the Workplace
Updates on Specific Statutes (ADA, Title VII, PWFA, etc.)
Sex, gender, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity: State and Federal Protections in the Workplace
Age and Age Discrimination in the Workplace: Preventing Discrimination Against Older Workers
EEOC and State Agency Investigative Processes: What You Can Expect When You are a Party to a Case Before an Fair Employment Practice Agency or Commission
Custom Brownsville TX HR Solutions
Build your People and Talent Division with my custom Brownsville TX HR Solutions today!
HR Support at EVERY Stage
-
National/Regional Searches
-
Applicant Screening
-
Interview Support
-
Contract Negotiation
-
Onboarding
-
New Employee Training
Set Your Employees up for Success
-
Quarterly & Annual Training
-
Performance Reviews
-
Interviews & Listening Sessions
-
Employee Hotline
-
Systems Analysis & Consulting
Get Help with the Hard Stuff
-
Internal Investigations
-
Progressive Discipline & Corrective Action
-
Last Chance Warnings
-
Supervisor Coaching
-
Termination Actions
-
Exit Interviews
What Clients Are Saying
Custom Brownsville TX HR Solutions - Rates
Initial Consultation
-
30 Minutes
-
Consultation covers the Nature and Extent of Conflict and Goals for all Parties Involved
-
No Obligation to Continue with VirNet Mediation
-
Discuss your Situation in Depth
Hourly Rate
-
Competitive Rates
-
Total Hours Depend on Nature and Extent of Conflict
-
Billing can be Divided
-
Convenient Scheduling