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We can facilitate any interpersonal situation to help solve conflicts quickly, efficiently, and with minimal destructive impact on the lives of those involved.
Which Mediation Style?
Mediators have different styles and approaches. Generally, they are of three groups:
Facilitative: The mediator structures a process to assist the parties in reaching a mutually agreeable resolution. The mediator asks questions; validates and normalizes parties' points of view; searches for interests underneath the positions taken by parties; and assists the parties in finding and analyzing options for resolution. The facilitative mediator does not make recommendations to the parties, give his or her own advice or opinion as to the outcome of the case, or predict what a court would do in the case. The mediator is in charge of the process, while the parties are in charge of the outcome.
Evaluative: An evaluative mediator assists the parties in reaching resolution by pointing out the weaknesses of their cases, and predicting what a judge or jury would be likely to do. An evaluative mediator might make formal or informal recommendations to the parties as to the outcome of the issues. Evaluative mediators are concerned with the legal rights of the parties more than needs and interests, and evaluate based on legal concepts of fairness. They help the parties and attorneys evaluate their legal position and the costs vs. the benefits of pursuing a legal resolution rather than settling in mediation.
Transformative: This style of mediation works towards transforming the relationship between the parties, helping them better understand one another: their needs, interests, values and points of view. If successful, the parties are then enabled to work together in making their own decisions.
Victoria uses a blended approach: For divorce mediations, she blends the three styles. Although primarily facilitative, Victoria includes a touch of the evaluative and transformative based on the individual circumstances of the parties. She is there to answer questions that allow parties to make more informed decisions, explain the concepts behind the issues to be decided, present various viewpoints that might be considered, point out deficiencies in any proposals that seem to be unbalanced or out of the norm. However, the parties are ultimately expected to reach a solution based on whatever they feel is fair using their individual definitions of fairness.