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.

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 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.

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.

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.