Nancy Good Sider

Nancy Good Sider is an Associate Professor of Trauma and Conflict Studies at EMU’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. A mediator and psychotherapist for more than 30 years, Nancy is a founding partner at Newman Avenue Associates where she works as a licensed therapist, organizational consultant / trainer, and mediator.

At CJP, Nancy currently specializes in trauma healing practices, worker care resiliency and stress management, and diversity-based conflict transformation (race and gender). Primarily based in the United States, her counseling and consulting practice has taken her to Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa where she has conducted seminars, training activities and individual counseling in trauma healing and stress management, as well as providing wellness strategies for humanitarian agency staff working in complex humanitarian emergencies. Professor Good Sider received a Ph.D. from Union Institute and University, studying the intersection of trauma healing and conflict transformation. Her dissertation explored resilience and posttraumatic growth (PTG) and is titled, “Peacebuilders Healing Trauma: From Victim to Survivor to Provider.”

Nancy has taught at EMU since 1985, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and initially served as EMC’s Director of Counseling Services. Before coming to EMU, Nancy offered therapy (both inpatient and outpatient), prejudice reduction workshops, marriage enrichment seminars, and mediations in the church and community.

B.A., Messiah College 1974
M.S.W., Virginia Commonwealth University 1982
Ph.D., Union Institute and University 2006

• Co-Author, “Marital Mediation: Transforming Marital Conflict through Facilitated Dialogue: Reclaiming Personal Strength and Marital Connectedness,” with L. Phipps Senft in The Handbook of Transformative Practice: Relational Approaches to Conflict Intervention, ed. D. Della Noce and J. Folger (tbp American Bar Association), 2009.

• Author, “Integrating Trauma Healing in Conflict Resolution Education,” ACR Magazine (Association of Conflict Resolution), Spring, 2007.

• Author, “Peacebuilders Healing Trauma: From Victim to Survivor to Provider,” unpublished dissertation, Union Institute and University, 2006.

• Author, “Transcendence: Discovering Resources for Posttraumatic Healing and Growth,” in Positive Approaches to Peacebuilding: A Resource for Innovators. Ed. Cynthia Sampson et al, Pact Publications, 2003.

• Author, “At the Fork in the Road: Trauma Healing,” Conciliation Quarterly, Spring 200l.

• “The Necessary Marriage of Restorative Justice (RJ) and Trauma Healing: What RJ Practitioners Should Know about Trauma Healing” workshop at the 2nd International Conference on Restorative Practices; Conference title was "Widening our Lens, Connecting our Practice in Vancouver, BC; June 2, 2009.
• “Tsunami Recovery Program (TRP) in Thailand: Staff Wellness and Transition Management Practices” with the American Red Cross staff in Thailand; primary consultant, mediator, and organizational development trainer; April 30 to May 10, 2009.
• “Mediation Training with 3rd Year Law Students at Washington & Lee Law School; co-taught with Larry Hoover and Frank Morrison; Lexington, VA; March 28-29, 2009.
• “Tsunami Recovery Program (TRP): Staff Wellness and Resiliency” with the American Red Cross (ARC) in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Maldives, and Thailand; served as primary consultant and trainer for national and international staff in these four countries to improve and support staff wellness activities for TRP staff, delegation leadership, and American Red Cross TRP senior management; February – March, 2009.
• “Mediation Training with 3rd Year Law Students at Washington & Lee Law School; co-taught with Larry Hoover and Frank Morrison; Lexington, VA; November 1-2, 2008.
• “Basic Mediation Skills II: Focusing on Systems Approach to Conflict” at Baltimore Mediation Center with Louise Phipps Senft; Baltimore, MD; October, 2008.
• “Research Interviews with Survivors of Lebanon Civil War” conducted with CJP graduate (Marie-Josie Tayah at the Lebanon Emigration Research Center (LERC); Beirut, Lebanon; July 14 to 24, 2008.
• “Middle East Cross Region Community Trauma Healing Symposium” with invited participants from following regions: Afghanistan, Indonesia, Middle East (Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine), the Great Lakes Region (Africa) and the Balkans; Lead Facilitator of symposium held in Amman, Jordan; July 3- 10, 2008.
• “Out of the Ashes: From Victim of Terrorism to Peacebuilder” at the War and Peace conference: The Eternal Swing at James Madison University; co-led with Dr. Lennis Echterling and Hero Anwar Brzw (CJP student); Harrisonburg, VA; April 4, 2008.
• “Trauma Healing & Transformation” course at American University; teaching a trauma practice course for graduate students in international peace studies program; Washington, D.C.; March 28 to March 29, 2008.
• “Mediation for Parenting Plans: Custody, Visitation and Child Support Mediation and Conflict Transformation Skills Training” at Baltimore Mediation Center co-trained with Louise Phipps Senft; Baltimore, MD; January 30 to February 1, 2008.
• “Mediation Training” at Washington & Lee University Law School with Larry Hoover and Frank Morrison; Lexington, VA; November, 2007.
• “Conflict Transformation for Marital Mediators” at Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) conference in Phoenix, AZ; October 26, 2007.
• “Basic Mediation Skills II: Focusing on Sources of Conflict and Systems Approach” at the Baltimore Mediation Center co-led with Louise Phipps Senft; Baltimore, MD; October, 2007.
• “Activism, Connection, and Peace: Sustainable Solutions for the Community” at the American Psychological Association (APA) Annual Convention in San Francisco, CA; August 17, 2007.
• “Integrating Trauma Healing Strategies When Working at Racial Reconciliation; Consultant with Muhammad Ali Institute for Justice and Peace in Lexington, KY; June, 2007 & 2006.
• “Trauma Healing and Reconciliation,” serving as consultant, trainer, and seminary teacher in Bosnia; seminary course co-taught with Randy and Amela Pulejk-Shenk (CJP graduates) at a Franciscan Seminary in Sarajevo with the goal to educate priests and psychologists about trauma and develop trauma centers throughout Bosnia and Southeast Europe; March, 2007.
• “Mediation Training” at Washington & Lee Law School for third year law students with attorneys Larry Hoover and Frank Morrison; Lexington, VA; March, 2007.
• “Mediation and Consulting with Church Leaders; March, 2007.
• “Transcending Violent Traumas: Using Appreciative Interviewing to Discover Resources for Resiliency and Posttraumatic Growth (PTG)” at the Peacebuilding in Traumatized Societies Conference held at Denver University; Denver, CO; February 21 – 25, 2007.
• “Divorce Mediation Training” at Baltimore Mediation Center with Louise Phipps Senft; for attorneys, therapists and community leaders; Baltimore, MD; January 24 to 26, 2007.
• “Whose job is it?” A Conversation about Differences; co-led Staff Development day for Park View Credit Union Staff in Harrisonburg, VA; January 15, 2007.
• “Mediation Training” at Washington & Lee Law School for third year law students with attorneys Larry Hoover and Frank Morrison; Lexington, VA; November, 2006.
• “Restorative Justice and Trauma Healing for Offenders” presented with Barb Toews and Danny Malec, CJP graduates; Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) conference in Philadelphia, PA; October 26 – 28, 2006.
• “Peacebuilders Healing Trauma” presented with Dr. Cheryl Talley; Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) conference in Philadelphia, PA; October 26 – 28, 2006.
• “A Conversation about Differences in the Workplace” co-facilitated with Dr. Cheryl Talley; workshop for all Eastern Mennonite University Staff; Harrisonburg, VA; October 24, 2006.
• “Transformative Mediation Training” with Louise Phipps Senft; professionals trained in 3-day mediation skills; Baltimore Mediation Center, Baltimore, MD; October, 2006.
• “Conflict Transformation for Marital Mediators” at the Transformative Mediation Conference with Louise Phipps Senft; Minneapolis, MN; September, 2006.
• Consultant in Bosnia with Mennonite Central Committee Southeast Europe visiting Peace Camps with diverse populations with Amela and Randy Puljek-Shenk (CJP graduates); August, 2006.
• “Sudan Trauma and Reconciliation Training (10 days) for inter-faith community leaders after decades of war and violence; sponsored by Mennonite Central Committee, New Sudan Council of Churches and CJP Practice Institute; co-trained with Babu Ayindo (CJP graduate); July, 2006.
• “Appreciative Interviewing in Trauma Healing Work” in Positive Approaches to Peacebuilding class at American University Summer Peacebuilding Institute in Washington, D.C.; June, 2006.
• Transforming Conflicts in the Congregations" for Lancaster Mennonite Conference Church Leaders; Lancaster, PA; March 19, 2006.
• “Appreciative Inquiry: The Transformative Change Approach to People and Organizations” at Virginia Network for Women in Higher Education dinner at James Madison University; Harrisonburg, VA; February, 2006.
• “Trauma Healing in Peacebuilding Processes” with non-governmental organizations for Nepal HimRights and Caritas Nepal in Katmandu, Nepal; July,2005.
• “Trauma Healing and Reconciliation” workshop for Kashmir participants in conflicted region at the Dalai Lama Foundation’s Women in Security, Conflict Management, and Peace, WISCOMP in New Delhi, India; July, 2005.
• “Trauma and Peacebuilding Skills” workshop with Florina Benoit (CJP graduate) at the Henry Martyn Institute International Centre for Research in Hyderabad, India; July, 2005.
• “Mediation and Conflict Transformation” presentation with students at the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Mathura, India; July, 2005.
• “Appreciative Interviewing in Trauma Healing Work” in Positive Approaches to Peacebuilding class at American University Summer Peacebuilding Institute in Washington, D.C. July, 2005.
• “Mediation and Conflict Resolution Teaching Practices” panel in Chennai, India for the Peace and Conflict Transformation Conference sponsored by the United States Educational
  Foundation (Fulbright Offices) in India and Nepal; June, 2005.
• Facilitator for Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation Board and staff retreat; August 2005.
• “Seminars on Trauma Awareness and Recovery STAR; instructor in training for religious leaders responding to survivors of 9/11 and other traumas around the world; Harrisonburg, VA; 2002 — present.
• “Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute” in the first peacebuilding institute in the Philippines with courses in Trauma Healing & Reconciliation and Identity-based Conflict; Summers of 2000 and 2001.
• “A Look at Race, Economics and Jurisdiction,” facilitator for Hope in the Cities, leading sustained dialogues for city leaders about racial change and transformation; Richmond, VA; 2001-2002.
• Consultant in Russia for Building Restorative Justice Programs for Juveniles; Consultant working with The Center for Legal Reform in Moscow; October, 2000.
• “Preparing for a Diverse World,” Keynote Address at Messiah College Dean’s List Dinner; Grantham, PA; 2000.
• “Cameroon Conflict Transformation Training” consulting with the Ecumenical Service for Peace in Cameroon, Africa; December, 1999.
• Trainer for Mediation and Facilitation Trainings; mediation training workshops with specialty focus in community disputes, divorce and family mediation, and organizational conflicts; 1985 to present.
• “Building Community by Welcoming Diversity” workshops and interventions regarding race and gender-based conflict for city and university employees, with ten years working with The National Coalition Building Institute; numerous university and business organizations in the United States; 1987 to present.December, 1999.
• “International Peacebuiling and Trauma Healing/Reconciliation” Study Tour to Africa; forum to study African peacebuilding and trauma healing strategies after war and apartheid; Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa, Swaziland; February, 1996.

• “The Importance of Narrative, Storytelling and Circle Process in Trauma Healing” at Advanced STAR (Seminars on Trauma Awareness and Resilience) Workshop; Harrisonburg, VA; March 25, 2009.
• “Transforming Interpersonal and Group Conflict” at Seminars in Organizational Leadership (EMU) with Marshall Yoder; Harrisonburg, VA; March 13, 2009.
• “Strength for the Journey” Spirituality Retreat Sisters weekend at Bellfry Retreat Center; Lexington, VA; September 19 to 21, 2008.
• Visiting Consultant in Jerusalem and Ramallah with American Friends Service Committee; July 24 to August 1, 2008.
• “Creativity and Spirituality Retreat” at Bellfry Retreat Center; Lexington, VA: June 26 to 30, 2008.
• “Transforming Conflict among Team Members” at Seminars in Organizational Leadership (EMU) with Marshall Yoder and Dr. Cheryl Talley; Harrisonburg, VA; April 11, 2008.
• “Communication Styles and Transforming Conflicts” workshop to foster diversity awareness with Dr. Cheryl Talley; James Madison University faculty/staff on University-wide Diversity Team; Harrisonburg, VA, January 29, 2008.
• “Retreat Sisters Formation” at Bellfry Center; Lexington, VA; October, 2007.
• Program Planning of Trauma Healing Strategies When Working for Racial Reconciliation; Consultant with Muhammad Ali Institute for Justice and Peace in Lexington, KY; June, 2007 & 2006.
• “Celebrating a Diverse Workplace and Transforming Conflicts” workshop to foster diversity awareness with Dr. Cheryl Talley; James Madison University faculty/staff on University-wide Diversity Team; Harrisonburg, VA, January 23, 2007.
• " Post Traumatic Growth in the Midst of Trauma" for Hope for Peace day at EMU; Harrisonburg, VA; May, 19, 2007.
• “Seminars on Trauma Awareness and Recovery STAR (now called Seminars on Trauma Awareness and Resilience); Team member who designed workshop sections responding to survivors of 9/11 and other traumas around the world; Primary facilitator for the "Truth, Mercy, Justice, Peace panel component; Harrisonburg, VA; 2002 — present.
• “International Peacebuiling and Trauma Healing & Reconciliation” Study Tour to Africa; forum to study African peacebuilding and trauma healing strategies after war and apartheid; Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa, Swaziland; February, 1996.

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the Commonwealth of Virginia since 1986.
• Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Certified Clinician for Trauma Recovery; Level 1 and Level 2; 2002 & 2003.
• Appreciative Inquiry 5-day Training Certificate with Dr. David Cooperrider and Diana Whitney at the Taos Institute, NM; May, 2002.

• Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR)

• Ethical & Legal Issues in Clinical Supervision & Consultation with Dr. Mary Alice Fisher from The Center for Ethical Practice in Charlottesville, VA; June 20, 2009.
• How Can We Teach Ethical Practice to Supervisees" with Dr. Mary Alice Fisher from The Center for Ethical Practice in Charlottesville, VA; June 20, 2009.
  *The 2nd International Conference on Restorative Practices with title "Widening our Lens, Connecting our Practice in Vancouver, BC; May 31 to June 5, 2009.
• Modern Mindfulness with Ms. Kate Guenther at Eastern Mennonite University Graduate Counseling Program; Harrisonburg, VA; April 3, 2009.
• Psychotherapy and Neurogenesis with Dr. Audie Gaddis at Eastern Mennonite University Graduate Counseling Program; Harrisonburg, VA; March 27, 2009.
• “Building ‘Whole of Community’ Conflict Prevention,” looking at how U.S. interagency initiatives interact with civil society conflict prevention organizations; Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.; October 30, 2008.
• “Institutional Racism and Privilege” and “Best Practices for Creating and Maintaining a Diverse Institution” with Dr. Frances E. Kendall held at James Madison University; Harrisonburg, VA; April 28, 2008.
• Task Force Guidelines for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Setting; Invited participant by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Task Force Conference held in Washington, D.C.; November, 2007.
• Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) conference in Phoenix, AZ; October 24 to 28, 2007.
• American Psychological Association (APA) Annual Convention in San Francisco, CA; August 15-19, 2007.
• Creative Myths and Monsters – A Workshop on the Artist’s Way led by Julia Cameron in Virginia Beach, VA; July 6 – 8, 2007.
• Peacebuilding in Traumatized Societies Conference held at Denver University; Denver; CO; February 21 – 25, 2007.
• Association of Conflict Resolution (ACR) conference in Philadelphia, PA; October 26 – 28, 2006.
• Transformative Mediation Conference in Minneapolis, MN; September, 2006.
• Chennai, India Fulbright conference for the Peace and Conflict Transformation Conference sponsored by the United States Educational Foundation in India and Nepal; June, 2005.

• PAX 577 On Your Feet: Mastering Your Delivery as a Workshop Trainer; Summer Peacebuilding Institute; June 8 – 12, 2009.
• PAX 611 Disciplines for Transforming the Peacebuilder; Fall 2007.
• PAX 607 Techniques for Group Facilitation; Spring 2008.
• PAX PAX 605 Advanced Practice: Facilitating Group Processes; Summer 2007.
• PAX 681 Transforming Historical Trauma; Fall 2005.

• Institutional Effectiveness Committee; 2008 to 2010.
• Faculty Search Committee for Graduate Counseling Program; 2007.
• Strategic Planning Committee; 1998 – 2000.