Family Mediation
Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process that allows people to resolve conflict in a non-adversarial manner with the help of an impartial third party. As a Family Mediator, I facilitate discussions with the goal of helping people to come to agreement on issues of consequence for their family. I offer the following mediation services:
CHILD-FOCUSED DIVORCE MEDIATION
While children and their wellbeing are always at the center of the divorce mediation process, there are additional techniques that can help ensure that their needs are being addressed. As a Child Specialist, I meet with parents to discuss their concerns about how their children are faring through the divorce or separation and to educate them about developmental issues and research related to the impact of divorce on children. Other areas covered may include the parenting schedule, parental decision-making, strategies to reduce conflict, and communication. These discussions can take place while parents are currently in mediation or as issues or conflicts arise post-divorce.
Child-Inclusive Divorce Mediation
In certain cases, if determined to be appropriate based on discussions with the mediator and parents, I can meet separately as a Child Specialist with the children in order to understand their experience and concerns about the divorce and to bring feedback into the mediation. This type of child-inclusive mediation provides a way to bring the child’s voice into the process to assist parents in making the best decisions for their family’s wellbeing.
ELDER MEDIATION
Many people are struggling to make difficult decisions related to the care of their elderly relatives. Sometimes they are part of the “sandwich generation,” responsible both for their parents and their children, at times juggling competing demands. For others there may be a conflict among siblings for how to best care for aging parents. Trained in elder mediation, I can facilitate difficult conversations among family members with the goal of making decisions that are in the older adult’s best interest.
CREDENTIALS/ MEMBERSHIPS
- Certified Volunteer Custody Mediator, Westchester Mediation Center
- Member, New York State Council on Divorce Mediation and Family and Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York
- Member, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts