In a perfect world, all divorces would be amicable and both parties would agree on everything the first time. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world and divorce is oftentimes fraught with tension and conflict. Mediation can be used as a tool to resolve this conflict in a timely manner so that both parties involved will be able to reach an agreement and move forward with their lives. Conflict resolution and mediation go hand in hand. After all, the purpose of choosing a mediator to help with a divorce is to avoid going through a long, drawn out, messy process. Mediation allows for the mature, calm discussion of the issues at hand, and helps both parties to work together to reach a solution that works for everyone involved. Conflict resolution is an integral part of this process – not only as a means to resolve problems, but as a foundation for how to handle future disputes in a positive, productive way.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years as a divorce mediator, it’s that people deal with conflict differently. Some get angry and lash out, others get emotional, and still others shut down altogether. Each of these reactions forms a communication barrier and can cause further damage to an already fragile situation. The goal of conflict resolution is to help divorcing spouses open the doors to effective communication so that they can resolve the issues at hand and continue to move forward. Without conflict resolution, the situation can become stagnant and more volatile, which isn’t good for anyone involved. That’s why we take a team approach and engage both an Accredited Professional Divorce Mediator and a Certified Professional Coach to aid in the divorce mediation process. By having two professionals actively involved in your divorce, the legal, financial and emotional aspects are managed in a peaceful and cost-effective way, saving you time, money and heartache in the process. When it comes to conflict resolution and mediation, there are several things to keep in mind: