Self-Empowerment though Mediation
One of the cornerstones of family mediation is self-determination. In mediation, each party is given an opportunity to speak their thoughts, concerns, and wants in a safe and neutral place. Mediation provides the tools to build the next chapter of your life how you want it to be.
Separation is scary and can be traumatic —even when you want the separation and have accepted its reality. It creates uncertainty and a sense of loss of control over your life. The majority of these concerns are focused on finances and/or your children’s welfare. In mediation, we can spend as much time as you may need to discuss these concerns and come up with solutions that will help ease these fears and worries.
Letting go of the past is difficult. However, by becoming directly involved in the process, each of you has the opportunity to be in control of creating the new future—which helps letting go.
Going to the courts often involves letting a judge or the attorneys deciding the parenting plan arrangement, how child expenses are to be paid for, and what the division of assets/debts will be. Thus, the loss of control and nervousness can expand. Alternatively, going to the DYI route can leave important information out of the agreement causing problems down the road, or cannot resolve any power imbalances that may be in place in the relationship. Mediation lets you take control of your new life and the new you. You determine what do you need right now, in the next year, in the next 10 years. Customizing your future through these agreements gives you back control over a traumatic event and gives you both control over the agreements that will shape your future life, security and well-being. It is essential that each party has a voice in the creation of the new structure of the family to ensure a long-lasting agreement.
As a mediator, part of my job is to help balance out any power struggle a couple may have at the time of their separation. Although I am not an advocate for either party, I create a space where each person can build their self-determination and advocacy. Contact Family Circle Mediation to the new process in this new year.
