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As in most choices, it is important to choose a mediation firm or mediator 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 mediator provider. (more…)
Divorce is a difficult process. Regardless of the reason behind the break-up, the process of formalizing the divorce is often upsetting both emotionally and logistically. The logistical process of the relationship separation can trigger and aggravate the emotional issues involved. In cases where at least one person identifies a triggering event for the break-up of the relationship, the emotions involved can make a peaceful efficient resolution of the issues almost impossible without involvement of divorce professionals. (more…)
CFR Certified Mediators are conflict resolution professionals who meet our quality standards in experience, training, and commitment to the field. These individuals apply to be part of our provider panel and are thoroughly vetted by our staff before being offered an opportunity to be a CFR Certified Mediator.
Our mediators are local professional mediators, in 27 states, who have been chosen to be CFR Certified Mediators due to their commitment to and experience in the field. Our mediators come from a variety of backgrounds including law, behavioral health, real estate, human resources, business, finance and medicine. Regardless of their backgrounds, all of our mediators have demonstrated that they possess excellent mediation skills.
All of our mediators are thoroughly vetted and have successfully met the requirements that CFR has set out to ensure that our mediators meet high quality standards. Each person has been vetted by our mediation provider credentialing committee which includes CFR’s founder, Erin Johnston, MSW, LCSW. In essence no one is accepted to the as a CFR Mediator unless the committee members would choose to hire that mediator to resolve their own conflict.
Clients who choose CFR, receive mediation services from highly qualified and experienced mediators, without having to research providers on their own. A CFR Mediation Coordinator works with every client to ensure that the best CFR Certified Mediator is assigned to conduct every mediation.
Find out more about some specific mediators in our “CFR Mediator Spotlight” series on our blog where we spotlight a specific CFR Mediator.
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Additional Reading
At CFR Mediation we have designed our mediation service to ensure mediator neutrality.
CFR places a great deal of importance on the neutral role of the mediator. As a result our services are specifically designed to ensure that the mediator neutrality.
CFR is not a mediator referral service. We are an actual provider of mediation services, headquartered in Chicago with over 100 mediation providers and offices throughout the US.
When people decide to seek mediation it is because they are unable to resolve a situation on their own. While both sides have to agree to mediate – they also have to agree on the mediator. Sometimes this can be another stumbling block in the resolution process. Was the potential mediator swayed or influenced by the other side? How can those who are not in agreement – agree on an individual to mediate an agreement to the conflict?
CFR Mediation removes this potential barrier from the resolution process. Clients who choose CFR work with a mediation coordinator who, after speaking to both sides, assigns the CFR Certified Mediator that best meets the needs of the participants and the case.
Unlike referral services, CFR Mediation Coordinators work with both parties – in every mediation case – to ensure that the best CFR Certified Mediator is assigned to facilitate the resolution. Clients receive high quality mediation services without having to try to pick someone out from an anonymous list of names.
The Mediation Coordinator assigns the CFR Mediator best for the case, as well as help both parties understand the mediation process, including the costs, and will assist everyone in preparing for the mediation. CFR mediation sessions are generally two hours in length.
Mediating the case starts at the first appointment: issues are clarified, priorities are set, and the process is begun. The mediator is careful to continue to create an informal, cooperative environment, maintaining neutrality at all times.
Between appointments, the parties have time to consider their options and think about what the best decisions might be.
Remember, those participating in the mediation are the ones who actually make the decisions about how to resolve the dispute. Once the mediation is complete, the mediator will write up a Memorandum of Understanding (MU) that both parties sign. The MU details the agreements reached in mediation, as well as continuing areas of disagreement (if any). Those participating in mediation can always have their own attorneys review the MU prior to signing, but that is at the discretion of each client. In general, a signed MU is as binding as any contract.
Contact a CFR Mediation Coordinator for a free no-obligation telephone consultation. We can assist you in an efficient and effective resolution to your conflict.
Finding a provider to effectively intervene in a stressful situation can be difficult. CFR was designed to remove that difficulty. We submit all applications to a rigorous review to ensure that the providers meet our quality standards. Only those mediators that meet our stringent education and practice standards are invited to be a CFR Certified Mediator.
As the president of CFR Mediation, I am consistently impressed with the quality of professional mediator that we are able to bring on as a CFR Certified Mediator. There is not a mediator on this panel who I would not choose to be my own provider.
Our mediators have degrees from some of our nation’s most prestigious institutions. They have committed their careers to the field of conflict resolution, and I feel confident in referring cases to them.
I want your experience with CFR to be as positive of an experience as possible. No one enjoys having to seek mediation services, but our entire focus is assisting those in dispute resolve the issues as effectively and efficiently as possible – with as little additional emotional distress as possible.
We have mediators for most any issue: including divorce mediation, business disputes, and workplace conflict.
Contact us, our mediation coordinators are available to answer your questions and provide a free no-obligation consultation at your convenience.
Sandra Clemons, M.A. is a Certified Circuit Civil Mediator providing a range of professional mediation services that include court-ordered, contract administered, and private referrals. In 2007 she joined the CFR Mediation provider team.
As a mediator she combines her educational background in Organizational Management with over 15 years experience as a Federal Contractor and Training Facilitator in employee relations and employment compliance issues. Her employee relations training work focuses on four primary training core areas: Conflict Resolution, Coaching, Managing Diversity, and Emotional Intelligence. These areas create an interchangeable platform for mediation service delivery.
As a mediator focusing on workplace related conflict resolution, in addition to other specialties, Ms. Clemons is skilled in the use of multiple ADR strategies including: negotiation, facilitation, conflict coaching, and training. Her perspective is that mediation provides a framework for getting to the root of the problem, resolving the dispute, and preserving successful relationships. Practice areas include: Mortgage Foreclosures, EEO/Employment, Business Contracts, and Workers’ Compensation.
Regardless of the nature of the dispute, she views her role as mediator as one of assisting individuals in analyzing the strengths and weakness of their positions, focusing on their interests and moving them towards resolution: in their personal lives, work relationships, and business interactions.
CFR has expert mediators, like Ms. Clemons, throughout the US. For mediation services from this provider or other CFR Certified Mediators, contact us.
CFR Mediation was created to provide a holistic solution to those who find themselves in a conflict or dispute: expert vetted mediators focus on the actual resolution, while behavioral health experts facilitate preparation and provide conflict coaching – if needed – address emotional barriers to successful resolution.
This holistic approach is unique to CFR. Our goal is to remove the difficulty in choosing a provider, ensure purposeful focused mediation, protect mediator neutrality, and provide a positive respectful environment for individuals to resolve their conflicts.
Why Mediation?
As a master’s level psychotherapist with over 15 years experience, I have witnessed countless individuals and couples make the difficult decision to divorce or address a conflict head on. Too often, making the decision to resolve the issue resulted in “retaining attorneys and, inadvertently, embarking on an emotional roller coaster that added more stress, confusion, and uncertainty to an already emotional issue.
Mediation allows those actually involved in the dispute to create the resolution. A quality mediator is able to facilitate a resolution efficiently and effectively as they focus on the interests of the participants not the emotional based positions. The mediator is neutral and focuses on resolution that works for the parties involved.
Emotional Barriers to Resolution
The mediator, regardless of professional background, is not there to assist participants in working through their emotions. CFR sees this an Achilles Heel in the process. Emotions are always present, whether or not they are supposed to be. Some participants are able to put their emotion aside and focus on resolution; some are not.
CFR has designed its service model to address and mitigate any negative impact emotion may have the process. We assign qualified behavioral health experts (masters level clinicians) as CFR Mediation Coordinators to every CFR case. The mediation coordinators connect with each person at intake and facilitate the process, while also being available throughout the process to provide conflict coaching services to participants to address emotional issues that otherwise impede successful participation and resolution.
As a practicing clinical social worker (LCSW), I want CFR clients to believe in the mediation process and agreements reached; and know that their feelings, needs, and desires were heard and respected as appropriate, while not being allowed to negatively impact the outcome.
Our goal is to limit mediation time, in most any situations to less than 10 hours of face-to-face resolution. We do not allow meditation sessions to occur once or twice a week for weeks or months. It is our belief that resolution efforts must be purposeful, in instances where one or both parties are not purposefully engaging in mediating towards a resolution, we will not continue to provide services; as to do so would be unethical.
This holistic approach is unique to CFR. Our focus is to address the complete conflict. Ensuring an efficient and effective resolution, that heals as opposed to creating additional discomfort and stress.
Additional Reading:
CFR is different than other mediation providers. We administer all of our mediation cases from our headquarters in Chicago and have the mediation conducted by expert local mediators. This design allows us to ensure that mediators are as neutral and unbiased about the case as possible.
Choosing CFR to mediate your dispute, means the following:
CFR Mediators are available to address virtually any dispute. CFR Mediation Coordinators are available for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us help you resolve your dispute quickly and effectively. Resolution does not have to be painful.
Additional Reading:
CFR is designed to ensure that the process of resolving conflicts is not additionally stressful. Getting to the point of deciding to bring in a mediator is difficult enough. At CFR, we believe that mediation is the best means of intervening in a conflict – resulting in an efficient and effective resolution that all parties agree with.
Accessing mediation through CFR is easy.
The first step is contacting us either by phone toll free at 866-922-2370 or through our website inquiry form.
One we receive your request for information, a CFR Mediation Coordinator will contact you at your convenience (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). During this first call the mediation coordinator will answer any questions that you may have, explain the process, and, if your ready, initiate the case.
Once the case is initiated, the CFR Mediation Coordinator will send you the intake paperwork packet, collect the fees, and establish your initial mediation appointment with the best CFR Certified Mediator.
The CFR Mediation Coordinator will continue to be available throughout the mediation through CFR to facilitate the resolution process and provide conflict coaching if desired.
All communication with CFR personnel is confidential. We respect your privacy and have designed our program to protect the confidentiality of all CFR mediation clients.
