Types of family situations we can help with:

• Marital, such as financial issues, and separation issues involving visitation and personal property division.
• Parent-teen, such as for specific issues of house rules and behavior
• Elder-care, such as residential choices, estate planning, end-of-life issues, and adult sibling issues.

What is mediation?

Mediation is a voluntary, safe and private process in which people in a conflict situation meet with a trained impartial person - a mediator. The mediator helps both sides listen to each other and assists the parties in reaching their own agreement, or points of understanding.

How does Family Mediation work?

First during the intake process, a DSC Coordinator will determine who needs to be involved in the mediation to resolve the conflict and assess their willingness to participate. We suggest you introduce the idea to the other people involved by referring them to this web site or printing off a copy of the brochure. We can also contact other parties based on contact information we receive. If all participants are willing to come to a mediation or joint consultation session, the next steps are:

• The Coordinator selects the appropriate mediator(s) familiar with the type of dispute involved.
• The coordinator discusses with participants about whether a supporter will join them at the session(s), keeping in mind that they must be prepared to speak for themselves.
• Schedule a mutually convenient time for the mediation session. Generally we like to allow for one 2-hour session although it may take less time. The DSC Coordinator will let participants know if a second or longer session is likely based on the type of situation and issues involved.

What happens during the mediation or joint consultation session(s)?

• The mediator(s) reviews key ground rules with the participants, such as no interrupting, no confrontational language, and keeping the discussion confidential.
• The mediator(s) guides the participants in the dialogue, ensuring each has the opportunity to speak and to listen.
• The mediator(s) helps the participants find solutions that work for all involved and feasible ways to avoid future conflicts. Over 85% of the disputes we mediate end in some form of understanding. For example in certain marital situations, the outcome can be a summary of points of understanding which can serve as a roadmap for the divorce process and may include referral to lawyers, therapists or other experts.
• The solutions are written down to enable participants to remember and take responsibility for the agreement. We at DSC are not able to enforce agreements, nor do we provide any legal advice. However, we find that those who willingly participate create agreements that hold.
• Participants may also decide to continue for an additional session. For certain family issues, more than one session is required.

Why use Mediation in family conflict situations?

Minimize harm to other family members: In particular, children benefit when parents use mediation to resolve their differences. This has been confirmed by independent studies.

Cost effective: Your total cost for mediation is far lower than what you would pay if the matter goes to court.

Timely: Agreements can be reached in a short time-frame and are arranged at a place and time convenient to all participants.

Confidential: Mediation is confidential whereas court cases are a matter of public record and sometimes media attention as well.

Self-determined: Each party is directly involved in making the agreement, unlike in a court process where it's out of your hands and the judge determines everything.

Fees

The intake fee is $70 per family and is non-refundable. The standard fee for mediations of 1-2 hours is $180 for up to 3 participants and is refunded if no mediation session takes place. Additional sessions are $125 per family. Situations of financial hardship should be discussed with the coordinator during the intake process.