Mediation

Sometimes people are in conflict around an issue and are not looking for counseling or a therapeutic process. They simply want to find a way to resolve their current conflict. In these cases, straight forward mediation is called for.

What is Mediation?

Mediation is a process for resolving conflict in which two or more parties have an uninvolved person (a mediator) lead them through a process to come to a solution that is most beneficial for all involved. The mediator does not come up with a solution, he facilitates the process so that those in conflict are able to come up with a solution they can both agree to.

My Approach to Mediation

First, I create a process in which each party can fully speak their side of the conflict and what they are wanting. This phase does not conclude until each party understands the conflict from the other's perspective. Here we focus just on understanding each other and allow for different and conflicting views. Often the heightened understanding resolves some portion of the conflict.

With the above understanding we then discuss the areas of remaining conflict and discuss possible solutions and compromises. My main roles in this phase are to keep the discussion on track and to make sure that both parties have equal voice in the discussion. Sometimes I will suggest possible solutions, but it is up to the parties to choose solution they both agree to.

The main goal of any mediation is for everyone to leave feeling that they have gotten the best resolution possible.