What is Family Mediation?

It's not uncommon for families to experience conflict; disagreements left unresolved can quickly breakdown the quality and connection in important family relationships. Working with a skilled mediator can open communication and help families work through challenging issues. It doesn't have to be win – lose, me against you.

FAMILY

Mediation is a safe, confidential place to talk and be heard. This can be especially helpful when bridging communication between parents and teens. Resolving family disputes can help your family reconnect and enjoy healthier, more respectful relationships.

DIVORCE AND SEPARATION

Divorce and separation can raise high emotions and make it difficult to communicate through stressful issues you need to reach agreement on. Mediation is a timely, cost-effective way for separating couples to settle assets, support, child custody and parenting time together. Mediation is a more peaceful, collaborative way, to keep family options in your control without going to court. With structure, education and resources at hand it's much easier to work through the process and keep the "best interests" of your children as the focus of your decision making.

Mediation assists you and your former partner to come to agreement on the terms of your separation. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) detailing the terms of the agreement can be drafted by the Mediator. The goal of the MOU is to draft a workable agreement that the two of created, you know what works best for your family's needs. It is recommended that your MOU be reviewed by independent legal advice. Once completed, you have the option of having your MOU family agreement processed and filed in court, making it an enforceable document.

COUPLES

Couples Mediation focuses on the present. Mediation offers effective tools to help you both communicate more effectively and avoid having the same argument over and over! Sessions can reveal how you individually handle conflict and how your style impacts your relationship.

MEDIATION IS NOT COUNSELLING

Focuses on the present, more about how you are with others than just who you are.
Mediation is a highly cost and time effective way to settle disputes in your family.
Facilitated by a neutral third party with specialized training to help you reach agreement.
Often settled within a few sessions.

A mediator will:

Provide a neutral place to meet.
Help identify and define the issues you need to resolve.
Assist you to work out parenting plans with out going to court.
Keep the discussions respectful and on track.
Provide educational services and resources to help you make difficult decisions.
Help you maintain a working co-parent relationship with your former spouse as you restructure your family life.
Benefit your family by focusing on your children's best interests.

A mediator will not:

Make decisions for you.
Give you legal advice. It's highly recommend that you see a lawyer before making any final decisions or agreements.

COMMON FAMILY CONFLICT ISSUES

Separation or divorce
Parent/Teen Conflict
Couples relationship issues
Parenting after Separation
Adult children agreeing in an aged parents care
Moving to a new house or country
Work and career transitions
Change in financial circumstances.

Are you experiencing family conflict? Contact Tamara today for a complimentary information session to see if mediation is appropriate for you.

Tamara is a nationally Certified Comprehensive Family Mediator. (Family Mediation Canada) She received a Certificate in Conflict Resolution: Family Mediation, through the Justice Institute of British Columbia Her clinical field training was completed with Mediate BC Tamara is a contracted Certified Smartsettle Facilitator, providing face-face and online eNegotiation services for family disputes. She is a member of the BC Family Mediation Roster.