What is a conflict mediation session? 

It’s a simple but structured conversation; an opportunity for a conversation between two people in conflict, assisted by a professionally trained, neutral mediator. It is designed to discuss the specific issues in conflict and proposed outcomes. 

If you are experiencing a conflict with someone whom you share an interest with (neighbors, roommates, landlord-tenant, family or ex-family members) you may want to end the conflict peacefully. If so, this site is for you. Explore it and contact us for a free and confidential personal intake.

Both parties would first sign an agreement to show their intent to mediate in good faith, and the session is scheduled at a mutually agreeable date/time/place. The purpose of the session is to hopefully reach agreements in areas where you currently disagree, draft and sign an agreement, and put the conflict in the past.

Differences between a mediation session and going to court:

1. All matters taken to a legal court of justice give the power to decide on the conflict over to a third party (the judge) who does not know all the details in the matter nor the persons involved, who decides based on a one-size-fits-all law, and whose final decision may not satisfy any party at all. In mediation, no agreement is final until everyone signs.

2. The trial is determined in $$, and the winning party has to figure out how to collect the judgement. Judges cannot order parties to do anything other than pay a sum of money, to be collected. In mediation, parties can reach an agreement on actions and timelines. (such as the return of property/loan, scheduling a move-out date, redoing a poorly done job, payment plans, social media contents, etc.)

3. Mediation is a private meeting protected by legal privileges of confidentiality, while everything that is discussed in court is public information.

4. People comply more willingly with decisions in which they participated rather than with decisions imposed by others.

What if the other person refuses to mediate?

Mediation is a voluntary process. Given its conciliatory nature, both parties have to agree to participate in a mediation, and sign an Agreement to Mediate before we can move forward with scheduling a session.

What is a facilitated conversation?

It is a meeting between three or more people with common interests but with different perspectives. A great option for situations where parties are looking to understand one another within a group dynamic. The facilitator assists the conversation by ensuring a respectful dialogue and that all points of view are equally heard.

What is a Peacemaking Circle?

Peacemaking Circles are an opportunity for group connection between people who make up a work team, family or community, and where everyone has the same opportunity to express themselves. Based on the teachings of ancestors of native tribes of the Americas, the Peacemaking Circles that we practice are characterized by the fact that only one person can speak at a time.  Peacemaking Circles can be arranged for many purposes. They can open the space for a general purpose, acknowledge celebrations, resolve issues, or engage in dialogue on difficult issues, among others. Peacemaking Circles can serve as support to the greater community by supporting each of its members, thus recognizing that each person carries an important piece in the puzzle of their group history.

Why outdoors?

Nature has proven to be an ally. Many a realization are thanks to an amazing sunset, the smell of the ocean breeze, or an eagle’s cry. Even small details, like the sound of a creek as background to the conversation, a fluttering butterfly with a perfect timing, a fish or bird/animal sighting, or watching a simple ant caravan, could trigger an idea, an old memory or future possibility into the parties’ thought process. Being surrounded by nature reminds us of our connectedness to one another, albeit the appearance of separation and division.

This is an invitation to use the ally we all have in Nature. It does not matter what situation we have created: when we are open to her assistance, abundance follows..