Mediation FAQ's

1. What is Mediation?

   Mediation is a voluntary, private and confidential process in which a trained, impartial and neutral person helps others negotiate a dispute and develop their own mutually acceptable solution.

2. How can mediation help me?

   Mediation provides parties with an opportunity to speak to each other openly and to create their own agreement. Mediation is a non-adversarial alternative to going to court. In mediation, the parties decide on the resolution, not the mediator.

3. How is mediation different from counseling?

   Unlike counselors, mediators do not give advice or offer suggestions. The mediators are neutral parties that do not take sides or advocate for one party over another. The mediator's role is to balance the conversation between the parties and enable them to speak to each other openly and resolve their own conflicts.

4. Who are the mediators?

   The mediators are members of the community who complete a minimum of 30 hours of mediation training in addition to observing mediations and co-mediating with more experienced mediators. Some of the mediators have also been trained in handling specialized areas such as family and special education issues.

5. How does the mediation intake process work?

   Upon contacting our organization, a program coordinator will obtain some general information about you, the other party/parties, and the conflict. Cases are screened for domestic violence, child abuse, and possible safety concerns, as these types of matters are not appropriate for mediation. The program coordinator will then contact the responding party to conduct the same intake and to obtain the party's consent to participate in mediation.

6. What types of matters are not appropriate for mediation?

   Matters involving allegations of domestic abuse, child abuse, or other matters where one or more parties' safety is at risk, are not appropriate for mediation.

7. How long is a mediation session?

   Mediation sessions last, on average, between 90-120 minutes. Additional sessions may be scheduled if the parties require additional time to discuss a matter.