FAQs
What is Mediation?
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Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process where people in conflict (that’s you!) call in the support of a neutral third-party to help hear one another, be heard, negotiate, and possibly reach agreements about how to move forward.
What’s the difference between mediation and therapy?
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Therapy and mediation are two separate methodologies and practices that appear similar but have different goals. Mediation supports people to communicate and move through a specific situation, whereas therapy generally treats an individual or partners to heal relational dynamics and life experiences, addressing any number of topics in their lives. Mediation is typically solutions oriented, and therefore on a short term timeline to help people move through and make decisions about a specific rupture or issue. You might meet with a therapist over years, whereas a mediation process may take as little as one or several sessions, depending on the complexity of topics.
How is divorce mediation different from the court process?
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Simply put, divorce mediation gives you more agency over the exact terms of your break-up. In court you’re at the mercy of the judge, who will decide the details of your disentanglement based on local laws and their brief time with you in court. Mediation is typically a much more accessible and affordable option than each party seeking legal representation. In mediation you and your soon-to-be ex get to work together to make decisions that work for both of you.
How is Divorce Mediation different from other forms of mediation?
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Compared to classic conflict mediation, divorce mediation generally takes more sessions due to the many required topics to mediate in order to submit your divorce to the state. In a divorce mediation we have a checklist to run through and will likely be more specific about what steps need to be taken during various sessions, including, but not limited to: Division of assets and liabilities, formalizing the status of the divorce, tax preparedness, decision-making processes, spousal support, parenting schedules, child support, and moving logistics. Since some topics may be emotionally, logistically, or even legally challenging in the divorce process, we sometimes ask that divorcing parties meet with additional professionals such as consulting attorneys, mental health or tax professionals, or appraisers in order to help the mediation space be a place for informed decision making.
Co-mediation is a format we typically practice, where two mediators work together to facilitate the mediation. Doing things this way helps us provide the highest quality experience. However, for certain situations a single mediator may be sufficient.
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What is co-mediation?
How much does mediation cost?
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We do our best to make our services accessible and offer a sliding scale upon request.
What type of mediation do you practice?
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We are all certified mediators that practice facilitated mediation. This a non-directive format, which means, we as mediators don’t give judgements, opinions or advice. All ideas, decisions, and possible agreements or solutions are yours to make. Our role is to help everyone involved be heard and to be responsible for the process. Expect us to ask lots of questions and do a whole lot of listening.
What if the person I’m in conflict with doesn’t want to come to mediation?
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Mediation is only possible when all parties consent to being a part of the process. If you’re on one side of a conflict and the other party is not open to a mediation process, we are happy to offer you conflict coaching. In conflict coaching one of our mediators will help you better understand how to show up in the conflict with skills and strategies to move forward.
Can you mediate for more than 2 people?
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Yes! Classic mediation involves two parties, but we know that some conflicts are not that simple. Regardless of the number of people involved we’ll ask that each participant completes our intake form in order to join the mediation space.