Family Mediation
A family mediator can create a safe space for families to work through conflict and provide opportunities to move forward in a healthier way.
For example, adolescent years can often be a time of tension and strain. Parents and youth struggle to communicate and express their own individual needs and interests. Working through separation or divorce can be challenging and positive co-parenting can seem impossible.
Mediation can support and address some of these issues and build healthier relationships within the family.
I can help you
Resolve a specific conflict
Solutions-focused discussion that develops mutual understanding of differing perspectives.
Build healthy communication
Understanding different styles of communication and developing healthier practices.
Create a plan to move forward
I can help you define concrete next steps, establish a future decision-making process, and discuss additional referrals.
Set boundaries
Define and establish clear and appropriate expectations between parents and teens or co-parents.
Parent well amidst separation
I can help you come to agreement about parenting time, special days, holidays, issues around extended family and introducing new partners, etc.
Discuss financial responsibilities
I'll help you navigate one of the toughest areas faced in separations and in parent-child relationships.
The Process
Intake
I offer a free 15-20 minute intake call to explain the process of mediation and to ensure that mediation is the right service to fit your needs at this time.
Pre-mediation Sessions
I will meet with each person individually for at least one hour to discuss individual concerns and identify main topics or points that each person wants to address.
Sessions
Usually mediation is done through a few sessions over a period of weeks or months. Depending on what you decide to discuss, the timeline can be determined together.
For parent-teen mediations, I recommend 60-90 minute sessions. For partners working through separation or wanting to discuss co-parenting issues, I recommend each session be a minimum of 2 hours. Depending on the urgency and relationship of the parties, sessions can be longer with reasonable breaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are mediation agreements legally binding?
The mediation agreement that is created is not legally binding. However, there is a clear process as to how both parties can make the agreement legally binding without having to go through a negative process in court.
Why would I use mediation instead of just using a lawyer and going to court?
In family court, a judge makes the final decision and both parties are not part of the decision-making process. This can be deeply disempowering for both sides. Many people often use lawyers and mediators together.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, the mediation process can decrease the amount of time spent in court as the process is much less formal. Once a mediation agreement is created, each party can bring it back to their individual lawyers for discussion.
Can my lawyer be part of the mediation?
During my pre-mediation sessions, it is discussed who else each party would like at the table during the process. Lawyers are welcome to join in the mediation sessions as long as both parties are in agreement. Having said that, it is often advised that parties meet without their lawyers for the first few sessions in order to save time and money.
Do you work with division of assets and finances?
I contract with expert financial advisors who are trained in the division of assets. At this time, I would provide a list of information that all parties need to give and this would be given to a financial advisor whom I work with. They will provide a detailed report about what is able to be divided clearly under the Family Law Act and what aspects of the assets finances and assets are negotiable and able to be mediated.
Do you mediate health care decisions?
I have worked with many families and parents that need to make medical and health care decisions in the best interest of their child after a separation. A sudden critical illness is very scary and stressful. Parents who need to navigate the healthcare system and try to make decisions during this time can benefit from having a neutral third party to facilitate these discussions. Going to family court to have a judge make a ruling or decision can take a long time. Often these medical decisions need to be made in a timely manner and it is helpful for parents to be able to make a decision in a short amount of time.
Will I be working with a Registered Roster Mediator?
Dorcas is currently a Mediate BC Associate Family Roster Mediator and is in the final process of receiving her RRM (Registered Roster Mediator) designation. RRM mediators with Mediate BC have met rigorous training and experience requirements; they meet annual requirements for ongoing professional development; and they are committed to ethical mediation practice standards.
