What is Mediation?

Mediation is a voluntary process in which you can sit together with the help of a specially trained, neutral facilitator, to design a mutually acceptable agreement.

As Mediator, I will help you to take a co-operative and reasonable approach towards problem solving, by building on what can work in the future, rather than staying stuck with what has not worked in the past.

As Mediator, I do not:

• Decide who is "right" or "wrong"
• Solve the problem for the parties
• Take sides

What are the benefits of mediation?

A fraction of the benefits of Family Mediation are:

1. Where children are involved, the focus is kept on the best interests of the children.
2. The ability to resolve issues in a way that suits the clients best and enables them to directly affect the outcome.
3. An opportunity to speak directly to the other person about issues of concern in a neutral and safe environment.
4. An opportunity to learn skills for better communication and cooperative problem solving.
5. Much less expensive and simpler than court processes.
6. Lessening tensions and removing an adversarial atmosphere.
7. The process is private.
8. The process is voluntary.

What is my role as your Mediator?

• I will help you explore, understand and explain to each other your needs and concerns in a respectful fashion.
• I will help you work together to solve your common problem, using each other as a resource.
• I will help you explore, understand and explain to each other your views of the children's needs and plans for their care.
• I will help you explore the roles you will each have in the parenting plan for the children.
• I will help you to develop creative -but practical- ideas to resolve differences in your plans for the children's care.
• I will suggest possibilities if an impasse is reached, but not to make recommendations.
• I will help diffuse conflict between people and refocus the negotiation in a constructive manner.