Ask Erin Consulting

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Ask Erin Consulting – Professional Consulting for Attorneys, Mediators & Mental Health Professionals

Guidance from 20+ Years in Divorce Resolution, Collaborative Divorce, Guardian ad Litem Services & Behavioral Health

This page is for attorneys, mediators, therapists, counselors, and other professionals seeking to enter or expand in mediation, collaborative divorce, Guardian ad Litem (GAL) investigations, or divorce-related substance use services. (If you are seeking divorce related services, please visit our Services Overview page.)

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Build a Profitable, Sustainable Practice in Mediation, Collaborative Divorce & GAL Services

Helping attorneys, mediators, GALs & mental health professionals build sustainable divorce resolution practices

With over two decades as a divorce attorney, mediator, Guardian ad Litem (GAL), and Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC), I provide strategic consulting to professionals building rewarding practices in the divorce resolution field.

Professionals turn to Ask Erin Consulting to:

  • - Launch or refine a mediation practice or collaborative divorce practice with confidence
  • - Integrate behavioral health expertise into family law and mediation services
  • - Earn CE credit for Interdisciplinary Trainings
  • - Learn best practices for Guardian ad Litem (GAL) investigations and services
  • - Develop profitablefee structures and clear client boundaries
  • - Build referral networks that bring in the right cases
  • - Avoid common mistakes that drain time and energy

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What You'll Gain from Ask Erin Consulting

  • - Practice Launch & Positioning: Define your niche, service offerings, and target market.
  • - Client Screening & Intake Systems: Proven methods to identify ideal clients and avoid misaligned cases.
  • - Pricing & Packaging: Create flat-fee or hourly models that align with your goals.
  • - Marketing & Referral Strategies: Build visibility and case flow without high advertising costs.
  • - Ethics & Boundaries: Maintain professionalism in high-conflict, high-emotion cases.

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Continuing Education for Interdisciplinary Professionals

Ask Erin Consulting develops continuing education programs for professionals who support families navigating separation and divorce. These trainings focus on the intersection of legal, clinical, and mediation perspectives, helping professionals better understand how their roles interact when working with the same families. Programs are designed for mental health professionals, mediators, and collaborative practitioners who want practical strategies, ethical clarity, and stronger interdisciplinary communication when supporting families in transition.

To receive updates about upcoming CE programs and interdisciplinary trainings, you are welcome to join the Ask Erin CE interest list.

Professionals seeking individualized guidance for complex cases, practice development, or interdisciplinary collaboration may also explore Ask Erin Consulting sessions below.

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Ask Erin – Professional Consultation Options

Ask Erin offers structured, confidential consultations for professionals seeking clarity, perspective, and experienced guidance in complex cases or practice decisions. These services are not therapy, supervision, or legal representation.

Option 1: Ask Erin – Clarity Consult (60 Minutes)

Fee: $500

This 60-minute confidential consultation is designed for professionals who need immediate perspective, clarity, or a second set of eyes on a specific issue.

These sessions are often used to:
• Talk through complex or high-conflict case dynamics
• Consider ethical or boundary concerns
• Gain confirmation before taking the next step
• Address practice or case decisions that feel heavy or unclear

This is a focused, one-time consultation grounded in over 20 years of experience in family law, mediation, and related professional roles.

Sessions are conducted via Zoom and paid in full at the time of booking.

Option 2: Ask Erin – Case or Practice Deep Dive (Two Sessions)

Fee: $1,250

This structured consultation is designed for professionals navigating complexity that cannot be responsibly addressed in a single meeting.

The Deep Dive includes:
• Two 60-minute confidential Zoom sessions
• Strategic perspective, pattern recognition, and boundary support
• Optional issue or document review between sessions

These consultations are commonly used for high-conflict cases, ethical considerations, report planning, or practice-level questions requiring deeper analysis.

This engagement is time-limited and clearly defined. It is not supervision, therapy, or legal representation.

Booking & Scheduling Note:
Payment covers the full consultation package. Clients will schedule their first session only at the time of booking. After the initial session, existing Ask Erin clients will receive a separate scheduling link to book the second session.

Option 3: Ask Erin – Practice Reset Session (120 Minutes)

Fee: $1,000

This 120-minute consultation is designed for solo mediators and ADR professionals who want dedicated time to step back and recalibrate how they are practicing.

These sessions often focus on:
• Scope and boundary refinement
• Practice structure and sustainability
• Managing complexity without burnout
• Aligning professional values with day-to-day work

This is a one-time, forward-looking consultation focused on clarity and practical next steps. It is not ongoing coaching, therapy, or supervision.

Sessions are conducted via Zoom and paid in full at the time of booking.

Option 4: Ask Erin – Flat Fee Consulting Package

Fee: $2,250

This package is designed for professionals seeking structured, ongoing consultation support.

Includes:
• Five hours of one-on-one professional consulting via Zoom or phone, scheduled in 60-minute increments
• Customized action plans following sessions
• Select templates, sample documents, and resources drawn from over 20 years in the field
• Limited email follow-up between sessions for clarification and accountability

Sessions are conducted via Zoom and paid in full at the time of booking.

Booking & Scheduling Note:
Payment covers the full consulting package. Clients will schedule their first session only at the time of booking. Following the initial session, existing Ask Erin clients will receive a separate scheduling link to book remaining sessions.

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How to Get Started

  1. Select Your Consultation Option
    Choose the Ask Erin option that best fits your needs and schedule your first session.

  2. Confirm the Consultation Agreement
    All consultations are governed by a clear agreement that defines scope, expectations, and professional boundaries.

  3. Meet with Purpose
    Each session is structured, confidential, and focused on practical clarity and next steps.

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Erin's Speaking & Training Engagements

As part of my work supporting professionals and families navigating separation and divorce, I am regularly invited to present on mediation, child advocacy, practice development, and restorative, client-centered approaches to dispute resolution.

Selected Engagements

A selection of recent speaking, training, and professional education engagements.

Collage showing Erin Birt presenting at professional trainings, conference materials, and speaking engagements related to mediation, family law, and interdisciplinary education.

Professional & Legal Training

Mosten Mediation 40-Hour Training
March 2024 · September 2024 · March 2025 · September 2025
Recurring coach and presenter on sustainable practice development and client-centered mediation models.

DuPage County Bar Association (DCBA)

  • -Mediation Training Presenter (2022)
  • -Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Training Presenter (2019, 2022, 2024)
  • -Child Advocacy Training Presenter (2025)

Kane County Bar Association
Parenting Coordination Training Sole Presenter (2023)

HalfMoon Education
Advanced Illinois Family Law Practice for Paralegals, Presenter (Webinar, 2025)

Interdisciplinary & Academic Programs

Illinois Counseling Association
Divorce Discernment Counseling, Presenter (2023)

Northwestern University, Office of Professional Development, School of Professional Studies
Mediation Coach, October 2025

Community & Public Education

Navigating Separation & Divorce: Legal & Emotional Guidance for Families
Presenter, October 2025 
Hosted by Konick & Associates & Birt Family Law

These engagements reflect my ongoing work supporting professionals who want to practice with clarity, sustainability, and strong boundaries.

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ask-erin-consulting-speaking-training-erin-birt
Facilitating professional training and consultation for attorneys, mediators, and allied professionals.

Learn More

📄 View Ask Erin Consulting Services PDF 

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Other Ask Erin Services

Erin also convenes a small, invitation-based Practice Circle for mediators seeking accountability and thoughtful integration of professional learning.

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Protecting Your Children’s Future Starts Here

With 20+ years of courtroom and Guardian ad Litem experience, I understand how court decisions are made, what judges consider, and where the process often breaks down for families. My work focuses on helping parents avoid unnecessary court conflict whenever possible to minimize harm to children.

View Pricing & Options


We work with parents in two ways:

Individually, when one parent is seeking answers and legal guidance.
Together, when both parents are ready to resolve matters through mediation.

Both options are structured so you’re not waiting on the court system for next steps.

Are we the right fit for you?

Birt Family Law is committed to keeping the separating family out of court and working together towards a positive resolution.

The Law Firm of Erin N. Birt, P.C. (Birt Family Law)
The Law Firm of Erin N. Birt, P.C. (Birt Family Law)
Mon: 09:00am - 05:00pm
Tue: 09:00am - 05:00pm
Wed: 09:00am - 05:00pm
Thu: 09:00am - 05:00pm
Fri: 09:00am - 05:00pm

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