As in most choices, it is important to choose a mediation firm or provider with care.

Mediation is a great option for those who find themselves in a dispute, conflict, or disagreement that they are not able to resolve on their own.   Choosing a mediator is not always as clear cut as one would think, and parties should do their due diligence before settling on a provider.

One of the initial issues to remember is that the mediation firms and individual providers are marketing a business.  By no means is this a bad thing, but unfortunately it opens the door for some unscrupulous practices and blatant dishonesty.

Some things to remember when choosing a provider:

1. There is no licensing or certification of mediators.
   When someone refers to being a “certified mediator”, they are generally stating that they have completed a mediation course. There is no test or other review of skills.  Anybody who wants to can say they are a mediator or even a certified mediator.
2. Training programs vary in quality
   There are many training programs for mediators.  Although there are an increasing number of graduate programs in conflict resolution, most training programs are traditional in-person intensive 40-hour classes that mix instruction with role plays (an often dreaded but invaluable experience for even the most experienced mediator).  There are also online programs.  Online programs tend to be individual study with tests to accompany the readings.  Most can be completed in an afternoon, despite claiming to be 40 hours of instruction.Mediators trained online miss a valuable dynamic that only comes with the interaction of classmates, role playing, and flexible responsive nature of traditional classroom instruction.  Although reading is an important aspect to knowledge and skill building, it does not replace the valuable aspects of traditional instruction.  A doctor who has only read about a procedure is not as qualified as a doctor who has studied and actively learned the procedure.
3. People are not always honest in their marketing.
   Some (but by no means the majority), who market themselves as mediators, promote degrees and backgrounds that they do not possess, or have simply purchased online.  Individuals may also claim mediation experience that they do not have.

This is not a complete list, and it is not meant to discourage anyone from looking to mediation to resolve a dispute or conflict.  Mediation, with a qualified experienced mediator is the best way to resolve a conflict in an affordable, efficient manner while maintaining the highest degree of control in the process.  However, as with the selection of any provider for services, it is important to ensure that the provider chosen is who you think he is.

CFR Mediators go through an extensive application process: We do the “due diligence” so that you can trust CFR Mediators.

Related Posts:

• CFR Ensures Mediator Neutrality
• Why Choose CFR For Your Divorce Mediator?
• Choosing a Mediator
• The Mediator – Choosing A Mediation Provider
• Who Are CFR Mediators?
• NOT Another Mediator Referral Service

Tags: CFR, choosing mediator, Mediation, providers

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 at 3:36 pm and is filed under Family Law, Mediation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.