Events
Jun 09, 2026, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse, 521 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0C8, CanadaCost: $65 LIMITED SEATING Explore how artificial intelligence is transforming family law practice. "Pass the Bread Rolls… and Prepare for Extinction: AI and Family Law Professionals" with The Honourable Justice Tom Altobelli
Jun 10, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.Conference Centre at College Plaza, 2nd Floor - 8215 112 St. NW Edmonton, ABCost: $25 LIMITED SEATING This conversation will explore screening for family violence as part of case preparation. "Supporting parents engaged in coercive control/abusive behaviour in re-focusing on the best interests of the child." with Ann Marie Dewhurst, PhD, Registered Psychologist
Webinars / Recordings
AFCC Alberta Chapter: Alberta Court of King's Bench Family Law Practice Note 7 - Overview and Update
Previous Events
Parental Alienation: A Child-Psychology Approach: It Is a Denial-of-Attachment
November 28, 2023
Virtual
Presented by Dr. Gary J. Kneier, R. Psych
Dr. Kneier’s focus is on the child - on what happens inside the adolescent child’s mind and heart when confronted with intense conflict between divorcing parents. For the majority of cases, the denial-of-attachment to one parent is not principally caused by deliberate alienating influences by the favored parent. Rather, the “alienation” is a serious denial-based psychological symptom occasioned by the stress of parental conflict. Dr. Kneier’s insights into the nature and causes of this reaction lead to constructive treatment approaches, and to better ways for the Courts to address this serious childhood disturbance. Dr. Kneier will share his important insights about children’s reactions to conflicted divorce, about a psychodynamic approach to problem behaviors, about the nature of family attachments, and children’s psychological development.
AFCC Alberta Chapter Conference 2023: Transforming Family Justice in Alberta
September 25, 2023
Virtual Parenting Plan Guideline and Parenting Plan Template
Presented by Honourable Justice Benns, Youth Court, Alberta Court of Justice, and Professor Nicholas Bala of the Faculty of Law, Queen's University
The AFCC Alberta Parenting Plan Guide/ Parenting Plan Template are publicly available resources prepared by a Task Force established by the AFCC Alberta Chapter, with assistance from Professor Nicholas Bala of the Faculty of Law, Queen’s University in Ontario. The theme of the Guide is that it is in the best interests of children for parents to minimize conflict, and, in most cases, for children to have a significant relationship with both parents.
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Amendments to the federal Divorce Act in force March 1, 2021
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AFCC Alberta Parenting Plan Guide (2023) and use of these and similar resources by lawyers, judges, mediators, other justice system professionals and SRL’s
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Parenting Plans vs. Custody Orders
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Parenting time schedule-factors (ages & stages of development)
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Decision-making models
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Basic considerations for Parenting Plans
AFCC Alberta Chapter Conference 2023: Transforming Family Justice in Alberta
March 16 & 17, 2023
In Person / Virtual
Presented by Brandi Smith, Reg. Psych., AFCC Alberta Chapter Vice-President, AFCC Alberta Chapter Conference Committee Chair, and Past-President, Judith Lake, Mediator
Transforming Family Justice in Alberta. Members joined the Chapter to discuss key issues facing the Alberta family justice system now, and the visions for the future, the disconnect between research and reality, transforming family justice through trauma informed practice, and more.
Distinguished Member:
Jane Hoffman, Family Law Lawyer
February 8, 2023
Virtual Meeting
Presented by Dr. Terry Singh, Phd., R. Psych, to Jane Hoffman, Family Law Lawyer, an honoured, distinguished member of the AFCC Alberta Chapter
The AFCC Alberta Chapter Distinguished Member Series recognizes outstanding, late-career AFCC Alberta Chapter members for their accomplishments; and facilitates the intergenerational transmission of knowledge and insights among the AFCC Alberta community.
Distinguished Member:
Dr. Larry Fong, R. Psych
August 10, 2022
Virtual Meeting
Presented by Dr. Terry Singh, Phd., R. Psych, to Dr. Larry Fong, R. Psych an honoured, distinguished member of the AFCC Alberta Chapter
The AFCC Alberta Chapter Distinguished Member Series recognizes outstanding, late-career AFCC Alberta Chapter members for their accomplishments; and facilitates the intergenerational transmission of knowledge and insights among the AFCC Alberta community.
2022 AFCC Alberta Chapter Conference Access to Justice: Diversity & Inclusion in Family Law in Alberta in 2022
March 4, 2022
In Person and Virtual Meeting
Presented by Judith Lake, Jonathan Tieman, Sonja Lusignan, AFCC Alberta Chapter Board
The Honourable Justice Sheilah Martin, Supreme Court of Canada; Patricia Blocksom, QC, Dr. Sui Ming Kwok, Dr. Richard Spelliscy, Mr. Mosi-Taylor Cole, Susannah Alleyne, Enrieque Dubon-Roberts; the Honourable Chief Justice Mary T. Moreau, Court of King's Bench of Alberta and the Honourable Judge Mah, Provincial Court of Alberta
2021 AFCC Alberta Chapter Conference
Hearing Without Harm: how do we honour a child's voice?
March 19, 2021
Virtual Webinar
Presented by Dr. Lorri Yasenik, Jonathan Tieman, Hanita Dagan,
Andrea Doyle and Jeffrey Keller (Legal Aid), Judith Lake, Dr. Jason Jones, Catherine Fox, KC, and
the Honourable Justice Kachur, The Honourable Judge G. Benns and the Honourable Judge T. LaRochelle
The New Divorce Act is Redefining Your Practice
February 4, 2021
Virtual Webinar
Parliament passed the long-awaited changes to the Divorce Act in 2019 however, due to disruptions from the pandemic, the coming into force date was deferred until March 1, 2021. Join Shams Amiry and Dr. Terry Singh as they discuss changes to the Divorce Act, with a unique perspective of law and psychology.
Presented by Dr. Terry Singh and Shams Amiry
Alberta Court of King's Bench
Family Law Practice Note 7
Overview and Update
January 15, 2021
Virtual Webinar
A practical overview of Court of King's Bench Practice Note 7
Presented by: Dr. Stephen Carter, Registered Psychologist, The Honourable Justice Debbie A. Yungwirth, Court of King's Bench, and
Rhyannon O'Heron, Lawyer (Edmonton)
Alberta Court of King's Bench Family Law Practice Note 8 Overview and Update
November 26, 2020
Virtual Webinar
A practical overview of Court of King's Bench Practice Note 8
Presented by: Dr. Eileen Along, and Shams Amiry
2020 AFCC Alberta Chapter Conference
Protecting Children from Conflict: Family Justice in Alberta
March 5 – 6, 2020
Matrix Hotel, Edmonton, AB
Presented by: Dr. Matthew Sullivan, The Honourable Justice Rodney A. Jerke, The Honourable Justice Debbie A. Yungwirth, Dr. Harriet MacMillan, and Dr. Lorraine Ferris
2019 AFCC Alberta Chapter Conference
Putting the Children First in High Conflict Separation & Divorce
March 14 – 15, 2019
Hilton Garden Inn, Calgary, AB
Putting the Children First in High Conflict Separation & Divorce; Parenting Assessments, Parenting Plans & Parenting Coordination
The Good, the Bad and the In-Between
Presented by: Phil Epstein & Dr. Michael Saini
2018 AFCC Alberta Chapter Conference
"I dont want to go!" Children who resist post-separation contact with parent
March 15 – 16, 2018
Matrix Hotel, Edmonton, AB
Presented by: Barbara Jo Fidler, Ph. D. and Nicolas Bala
Family Restructuring Therapy
Jan 29, 2017
Lister Hall, U of A, Edmonton AB
A Model for Parent Conflict Intervention With Separated/Divorced (Including Never-Married) Families
A Training Workshop for Psychologists working with "High Conflict" Separated and Divorced Families
Presented by: Dr. Stephen Carter
Parenting Coordination and Mediation/Arbitration Process Design
November 27th, 2017 and November 18, 2016
Calgary, AB
for Legal and Mental Health Professionals working in Family Law
Presented by: Doug Moe Q.C., Kevin Hannah Q.C., Brad Mustard
The New Millennial Family
March 16-17, 2017
Calgary, AB
Navigating Best Practice in a Changing World
Presented by: DR. Marsha Kline Pruett, Ph.D., M.S.L. and DR. Kyle D. Pruett M.D
Edmonton Supper Clubs
Third Tuesday of the month
Edmonton, Alberta
Various topics for AFCC members and non-members
Guest speakers, webinars, Q & A
Practice Note 7 and 8 Workshops
February 18, 2016 – Calgary
February 19, 2016 – Edmonton
Evaluative, Therapeutic and Mediation/Arbitration Interventions with Separated/Divorced Families:
Uses, Misuses and Risks
Presented By: Eileen Ailon and Dr Stephen Carter, and the Alberta Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and the Risk Management Committee
Let’s
Connect
AFCC Alberta Chapter
c/o Mr. Jonathan Tieman, Treasurer,
Maclean Wiedemann Lawyers LLP
422 6th Street S.E.
Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 1H5
587-805-3582