Last year, during Family Mediation Week, we took a step back to reflect on an important question: Are we doing enough to prepare our clients for mediation?
For many clients, entering mediation is a completely new experience – one that can be daunting, emotional, and full of uncertainty. As mediators, it’s crucial that we understand what truly matters to our clients, what their triggers might be, and how we can better equip them for the process. The truth is, we often ask clients to face these challenges without offering them enough guidance or support in advance.
That’s why we decided to do something about it.
Drawing inspiration from the experiences of family mediation practitioners in New Zealand and the US – where pre-mediation coaching is already a common and highly encouraged practice – we have developed our own Pre-Mediation Coaching Model.
This one-off coaching session is designed to give clients the tools, strategies, and confidence to approach mediation with a clear understanding of what to expect and how to manage their emotions during the process.
As accredited family mediators with years of experience, we understand the anxieties and uncertainties that can arise in mediation. As the facilitators of the session, and not the mediators of the client’s matter, our role in pre-mediation coaching is to provide a confidential, supportive space where they can freely explore their concerns, set their priorities, and prepare themselves for the conversations ahead.
Why Pre- Mediation Coaching is Different
It’s important to note that this coaching is separate from the mediation process itself and distinct from the Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM).
Unlike the MIAM, which focuses on assessing whether mediation is appropriate for your case, pre-mediation coaching is an opportunity for clients to focus solely on how to approach the mediation meetings. This session helps individuals manage their emotions, develop strategies for engaging productively with the other participant and identify their priorities before stepping into the mediation room.
Additionally, because we are not the mediators in the case, clients can discuss their concerns freely and openly without the potential worry that it will influence the mediation process. This confidentiality and focus on personal empowerment create a safe space for clients to gain clarity and confidence before moving forward.
Our Goal
Our goal is simple: to make mediation less of an unknown and more of a constructive, solution-focused experience for everyone involved.
For more information please connect with Rebekah Gershuny at Evolve Family Mediation
E: info@evolvefamilymediation.co.uk
T: 01923 909343
Image by Ashley Batz, Unsplash