A culture of safety and belonging begins with connection, relationship and accountability to each other.
My goal is to provide you and your organization with tools to navigate conflicts collaboratively and build healthier, more effective relationships.
As a conflict resolution practitioner with extensive experience teaching Restorative Practices and Conflict Resolution to both adults and students, I’ve often heard, “You need to share this knowledge with adults everywhere.”
I’ve launched Creating Cohesion because, now more than ever, these skills are essential.
What are Restorative Practices?
Creating Cohesion is grounded in Restorative Practices. It’s not a system but a way of being grounded in core values of responsibility, reflection, repair, and relationship. It begins with intentionally building effective and authentic relationships. Restorative Practices frameworks view conflict as an opportunity for growth, problem-solving, and repairing relationships. This work takes time. We can only move at the speed of trust.
I believe a focus on healthier relationships can change the world.
Twenty-two years ago, a college professor changed my life. What if conflict resolution was explicitly taught in schools? What impact would that have on our society? The idea was striking and set me on my path as a conflict resolution educator.
With a lens on equity and social systems, I have dedicated myself to peacebuilding and conflict resolution by educating and working with a diverse range of organizations and individuals. My background combines academic expertise, engaging facilitation skills, and global cultural awareness. I am committed to fostering safety, belonging and collaboration in both educational and organizational settings.
With Creating Cohesion, I have partnered with trusted leaders to bring Restorative Practices to life for others.
Ingredients for Creating Cohesion
Restorative Practices Training
Integrate Restorative Practices into your organization, including both proactive approaches to a healthy, intentional culture and tools for responding to harm when it arises.
Conflict Resolution
When a current conflict is standing in the way of progress, we offer conflict resolution facilitation as a step in your process towards a safer and healthier working community.
Facilitation
Our highly experienced team offers dynamic, interactive, relationship-based facilitation to help you meet your goals.
Expressive Arts Integration
Through visual arts, improv and performing arts actives, we can infuse our work with creativity and imagination to get us thinking outside the box.
Consulting and Coaching
We provide support for leaders and small groups moving towards healthier systems of communication and collaboration.
Team Building
Through proactive, intentional, and engaging relationship-building exercises, we help your team develop the skills necessary for effective communication and collaboration.
What People Are Saying
Christel's calm, clear voice and clear outline of the process set the scene for working together.
Thank you for helping us begin to find a direction forward!
-Le Leche League International
I appreciate the front-loading work and all the planning and structure that you put into making a very effective session!
- The Exploris School
Christel set a pleasant tone for a potentially unpleasant experience, remained as a neutral party, and kept the circle moving forward in a timely and sensitive way. Much appreciated!
— Restorative Circle Participant
Recent Clients
La Leche League International
Friends Committee on National Legislation, Washington, DC
The Exploris School, Raleigh, NC
Advanced Energy, Raleigh, NC
Guilford Green Foundation, Greensboro, NC
Get in Touch!
Creating Cohesion is a process we’ll build together. Let’s co-create what’s right for you and your team.
