Mediation Services

Mediation is a process that empowers individuals who are in conflict and creates an opportunity for solutions satisfying the deepest and most consequential needs of each party.    There are few limitations in mediation, meaning that potential solutions and approaches are limited only by the imagination of the participants involved.  This is vastly different from court litigation – where the parties and the courts are significantly constrained by the laws identifying permitted remedies and laws defining a required process.

Mediation also provides an opportunity for the parties to develop a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the motivations for each participant.  Holding distorted views regarding motivations or expectations is often a significant obstacle to agreement.  Exploring, and uncovering, the true needs of the parties often results in agreements that are more durable, meaning that the risks of future conflict and litigation are diminished. 

As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I have developed skills that support parties as they explore the intricacies of their conflict.  These skills include conflict processing, emotional regulation and containment, active listening, practiced neutrality, reframing and positional summarizing.  During a mediation, the use of these skills can increase the likelihood that a participant feels heard and understood – a significant first step towards a satisfactory solution. 

I PROVIDE MEDIATION SERVICES IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

PARENTING PLANS – Where parents reach agreements for themselves and their children regarding living arrangements, decision making responsibilities and processes, as well the logistical mechanics for implementing the terms of the agreement.  The purpose of these agreements is to ensure that the important needs of the child are met including: education, medical care, physical needs, spiritual growth etc. 

COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE COACH – In Collaborative Divorce, couples agree to forgo litigation and to instead reach agreements in a collaborative and joint process involving their attorneys, mental health professionals and financial professionals.  As a divorce coach, I support you in maintaining focus on your goals, your needs and the needs of your children, as well as your desired outcomes.   This support is provided while creating an environment conducive to processing emotional reactions, coping with stress and promoting effective communication. 

You can find more information on Collaborative Divorce here: 

https://www.collaborativepractice.com/what-collaborative-practice

ESTATE AND TRUST DISPUTES – As an attorney with more than 15 years of experience litigating disputes in estates and trusts —  I understand the dynamics and challenges families face while litigating with their closest relations.   These disputes may involve challenges to a will and/or trust, fiduciary abuse, accountings and conservatorships.  As both an attorney and a Marriage and Family Therapist – I have a deeper understanding of the challenges presented by your family conflict.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF MEDIATION

If you are unfamiliar with some of the other benefits of mediation – the following is a list created by the American Bar Association that I have augmented slightly:

• Agency – Only the parties to the dispute are able to make decisions.  There is no judge, or other individual, who has the ability to compel actions by any party.  You don’t have to agree and have the ability to say no.

• Relationships – Mediation provides an opportunity to protect and preserve the relationships between the parties.  This is particularly important when the dispute involves families, neighbors, co-workers or other individuals with ongoing relationships.

• Satisfaction – Parties that attend mediation report more satisfaction than those that don’t.  Nearly 80% of mediation result in an agreement.  Additionally, parties who attend mediation experience, on average, a much quicker resolution and reduced time investment.

• Compliance – Most court judgements are not fully collected.  Parties who engage in mediation are significantly more likely to receive the agreed upon benefits of their agreement.

• Reduced Costs – On average, parties who attend mediation reduce their total litigation costs versus those who do not.

• Privacy – Court proceedings and judgements are typically public.  Mediation provides the opportunity to keep some, or all, of your agreement private.  Additionally, court judgements can negatively impact credit ratings.