Looking for a friendlier approach to conflict resolution?

Discover how mediation services can help

Looking for a friendlier approach to conflict resolution?

Discover how mediation services can help

Nobody likes conflict. Especially when it involves family. Unfortunately, conflict is part of life, and even with therapeutic support, many families come to a point when conflict resolution doesn’t feel possible without third party intervention.

Seeking conflict resolution through long litigation processes generates even more stress and often holds your back  in a difficult situation that causes even more pain, hurting and even trauma. That is why mediation services are explored as a friendlier alternative for conflict resolution.

If you and your partner are going through a separation, mediation can reduce the cost of litigation and increase the level of understanding, compassion and guidance. In addition, working with a mediator who is also a mental health professional can decrease the emotional upset caused by the separation.

What is mediation?

Mediation is an impartial facilitation process that offers a litigation-free alternative for conflict resolution. It can help couples, families and individuals struggling to compromise with their differences.

How does mediation work?

Mediation is a rapid approach focused on identifying where each party stands; why they feel the way they do; and most importantly, how they can reach conflict resolution together. Mediation’s goal is to find practical ways to make positive changes that everyone can agree on, so that participants get immediate help. Once a resolution is agreed upon, the process is complete, and the parties can move on.

Discover how mediation
can help you

Is mediation the same as therapy?

Both therapy and mediation are valuable approaches to conflict resolution. The main difference between the two is that therapy is an open-ended process that focuses on digging into the past causes of current problems, while mediation focuses on reaching conflict resolution quickly with the goal of improving the future.

How to choose between therapy and mediation?

Therapy and mediation can be pursued separately or in combination as they can often complement each other. It’s important to understand the difference between the two processes to determine which approach would best resolve the specific conflict.

-
THERAPY
MEDIATION
IMPARTIALITY
Therapy focuses on emotions and guiding participants through understanding these emotions and finding common ground, empathy and understanding. Focusing on emotions can emphasize feelings of hurt, frustration, and defensiveness, which may prolong the process.
Mediation services are provided by mediators who are specially trained on impartial facilitation. Their role is to guide participants through a calm and focused conversation while ensuring that each party has their say and understands the other’s stance. Conflict resolution comes from impartiality, not only from the understanding of feelings and emotions.
PROCESS
Therapy tends to be unstructured, which is one reason why it can take a long time to resolve a specific issue.
Mediation is a process that follows a series of steps, which allows participants and the mediator to measure their progress toward resolution.
RESOLUTION
Therapy’s end goal is to help people through conflict. However, it rarely results in a written, formal document stating the results.
Mediation allows for closure because it has a set endpoint. It is also common for each party to walk away with a written agreement detailing the next steps.
COST
Because therapy is an unstructured process, there is no determination for how long it will take to reach conflict resolution. Costs can add up.
Because mediation is a short-term process with rapid results, it is typically far less expensive than therapy or litigation.

Why choose Evolve mediation services?

Evölve is a leader in the mental health industry, offering clients a safe and trusting environment, as well as outstanding outcomes to help regain strong mental health. Mediation services at Evölve are offered by licensed therapists who are also trained in the process of impartial facilitation and mediation. This makes us uniquely qualified to provide the quick outcomes of conflict resolution through mediation, while also offering the emotional support and empathy that are inherited from therapy and counseling work.

Discover how mediation
can help you

If you would also like to explore individual, couples or family therapy, check our Therapy and Mental Health Services here
To learn more about Family Mediation in Ontario, click here.