Formal Mediation

Essentially mediation is a supported conversation.

Your conversation is assisted by a neutral third person, called a mediator, who creates and guides this in a safe space.  The goal of your sessions is to arrive at mutually agreeable outcomes about issues which you (the parties) define as significant.  This might be a certain quality of connection between the two of you or a specific topic resolved.

It is your conversation.  So you (the parties) to the mediation control the outcome.

Mediation is different to conciliation or arbitration: no one imposes a solution on a party. Unless all the participants to the mediation agree on the result, the issue remains unresolved.

How is the NVC mediation model unique?

The major difference is that our approach to mediation focuses on creating a high quality of connection between the parties.  We do this because our experience is that the best (most positive for the future relationship and interactions) outcomes emerge from focusing on the quality of connection as first priority.

What actually happens?

Each party to the mediation has a one hour pre-mediation session with the mediator.  In this they get clear about their issues, the process, possible hiccups and what it is they really want to achieve through the mediation process.

They then attend (1 – 3) mediation sessions together with the mediator.  Each is 2 – 3 hours duration.

In each session we are surfacing each party’s primary concerns and gaining understanding at this level.  Ultimately we move from mutual understanding to collaboratively identifying strategies that encompass what is important to both parties (often quite different to what was initially expressed).

We ‘tyre kick’ the strategies developed and ‘road test’ them addressing possible breakdowns and putting into place supporting agreements that will help get back on track.

Who benefits from our mediation services?

• Management and staff in the workplace where relationship has broken down
• Parents post separation or divorce, regarding child rearing/ care
• Intergenerational family members with tension or conflict

Further information

Please call 02 9940 0880 (Australia) to enquire about availability, rates and have your questions answered.