Family & Business Mediation in Calgary
A calm, structured way to work through disagreements.
Disagreements are hard. They affect relationships, decisions and sometimes children. Mediation gives you a safe, structured place to talk things through and find a way forward together.
- Registered Psychologist and Practicing Mediator (PM), Alberta Family Mediation Society
- Sessions offered virtually
Why Choose Mediation?
Mediation offers a collaborative way to work through disagreements.
Opportunities to develop your own agreements
Support for constructive communication
Potential cost and time savings
A focus on children’s needs in family matters
Family Mediation
Support for difficult conversations and family decisions
Family disagreements often come with strong emotions and competing priorities. Gabrielle helps everyone feel heard and focus on what matters most.
Gabrielle offers:
- Family mediation for two people or larger family groups
- Separation and divorce mediation
- Child-centred mediation
Going through a separation? Our divorce counselling can also support you through the emotional side of the change.
Business Mediation
Outside support when work disagreements get stuck
Conflict at work can stall decisions and strain working relationships. Gabrielle offers a neutral space where each person can speak, listen and work toward a solution.
If a disagreement is getting in the way, reach out with a short outline of the situation. We’ll let you know if mediation is a good fit.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Family Mediation and how might it benefit me?
At times conflict, issues that are difficult to discuss or resolve, or challenges communicating can arise in families. It can be helpful to have support from an impartial third party to help the family navigate through the discussions.
My role is to facilitate conversation in a way that allows everyone involved to be heard, and to guide those involved toward resolution.
What is Separation and Divorce Mediation?
Divorce and separation can be challenging on many levels. People experiencing divorce or separation often report increased levels of stress and negative emotion, financial stressors, and worry as they see the impact on their children.
My role as Mediator is to facilitate the process as families work through challenges: to facilitate conversation in a respectful and safe environment, and to help them come to a resolution that works for everyone, documented in a Mediation Agreement and/or a Parenting Plan, in a timely manner. Unlike the court process, where a judge ultimately makes the final decision, mediation offers a far more collaborative approach.
Mediation offers a way of moving through separation and divorce when the parties involved are struggling to come to a resolution, and/or are in high conflict with one another. When compared to the cost of solely using lawyers, the fees for Mediation are significantly less, and are split between the parties in a way that they agree to and deem equitable.
When children are involved, my role is to put the needs of the children at the forefront, and support parents in developing healthier communication, which in the end, directly benefits the children.
Are children involved in the mediation process?
I offer the option of Child-Centered Mediation in my practice. Sometimes it is beneficial for the children to participate in the mediation process.
Whether this is part of the process is determined on a case-by-case basis and includes the Mediator meeting with the child(ren) one-on-one. I work with the child(ren) using play therapy techniques, to understand the situation from their perspective and to help provide them a voice in the Parenting Plan process.
There have been aspects of abuse in the relationship, is mediation still for us?
Research has indicated that the majority of families who have experienced interpersonal violence and who then take the path of mediation over litigation (courts) express feeling less upset, and report greater feelings of safety overall.
People who participate in mediation report feeling more satisfaction with the process to resolve their issues, and with the outcomes, versus those going through lawyers and the courts.
There are a number of ways to host mediation sessions that support any physical or emotional safety concerns when there is a history of abuse.
Options include meeting in separate rooms, in a virtual space, and having staggered entry and exit times for sessions. While these options are available, whether mediation is appropriate in circumstances of abuse, will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
The Mediation Process
What Does the Mediation Process Involve?
Each party begins with an individual intake lasting approximately 1–2 hours, depending on the complexity of the situation.
Participants then meet together with Gabrielle for a series of mediation sessions.
How Many Sessions Should We Expect?
Participants can plan for approximately 4–6 joint sessions. This may vary depending on the complexity and ongoing nature of the dispute.
Meet Gabrielle Hone
Registered Psychologist & Practicing Mediator
Gabrielle brings together training in psychology, mediation and education. Before her private practice, she spent three years working in domestic violence and fourteen years as an elementary teacher.
That background helps her keep conversations safe, calm and focused, even when emotions run high.
Not Sure Where to Start?
That’s okay. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Just let us know if it’s a family or business matter and share a little about what’s going on.
Our office will help with next steps, appointment times and fees.