Mediation is a conflict resolution process where a neutral third party helps parties reach a mutually agreeable solution. It can be used for divorce, child custody, landlord-tenant relationships, business disputes, and more. Mediation is often chosen to avoid costly court battles and can be legally binding. Different types of mediation exist, including medical, church, consumer, discrimination, aged care, environment, nonprofit, school, and workplace. Mediators may have specific credentials and specialized training in their field.
In mediation, people and organizations in conflict meet with a neutral third party to resolve differences. The conflicts faced by professional mediators are varied and can include divorce, child custody, landlord-tenant relationships, and business disputes. Government agencies, non-profit organizations, private businesses, and self-employed individuals offer mediation services. In some cases, decisions reached during mediation may be legally binding on the participants.
Individuals looking to avoid costly court battles often choose mediation. Divorced couples may seek mediation to resolve conflicts over property and child custody. Family court judges can request disabling parents to meet with a mediator to resolve parenting issues. Mediation is also sought by landlords and tenants as an alternative to eviction.
Some brokerage services focus on the needs of a particular profession or business. Medical mediators can work to address issues between doctors and managed care firms. Medical mediators offer services to doctors and managed care companies who disagree, as well as members who conflict with group medical practices. If warring factions threaten to divide a church, a church mediator can facilitate discussion between members, clergy, and denominational officials.
Other types of mediation include consumer, discrimination, aged care, environment, nonprofit, school, and workplace.
Individuals who participate in mediation are not always able to get everything they want out of these negotiations. However, they may have a more desirable outcome than if the matter were to go before a judge or remain unresolved. A tenant who is behind on rent may not be able to stay in her apartment, but through mediation, she can avoid having an eviction on her tenant screening record for seven years.
While mediation is not a licensed profession in the United States, many judges and government agencies will only recommend or use the services of a mediator who possesses specific credentials. Required credentials vary depending on the type of mediation services offered, but may include completion of a bachelor’s, master’s, diploma from an approved mediator training program, membership in a professional association for mediators, or a number documented hours of experience.
Many mediators also have credentials in other fields: Someone who offers legal mediation services may have a law degree in addition to mediator training. Church mediators can be retired clerics, while a medical mediator can also be a registered nurse or licensed physician. Those seeking mediation services for complex matters should consider seeking the specialized training of a mediator in the matter at hand.
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