Conflict happens in everyone’s life. Whether a small issue or a major hurdle, adults and children face conflict and disagreements as part of our experiences with each other. We develop skills over time to help us resolve conflict and disagreement. Sometimes, though, those life skills are not enough and the conflict grows and causes strain on our lives and relationships. Mediation can help people in those tricky times. In our COVID-19 world, we’ve learned that mediation online works just as well as face to face mediation…and perhaps works better.

So, how does mediation online work? Read on to find out!

Online Mediation – An Overview

Mediation is an out of court process that helps you resolve a conflict with another person with an unbiased, trained mediator who helps each person talk together to reach an agreement concerning the conflict.

Online mediation occurs through an online video conferencing system such as Zoom. The biggest advantage of online mediation is that it’s convenient, inexpensive, and time-saving, as there’s no need to travel to meet with the mediator or other people involved. Many people find online mediation less stressful as it eliminates the need to face the person you are in conflict with in the same setting.

When choosing an online mediator, here are a few factors to consider:

What To Look For In An Online Mediator

Credentials And Experience

Credentials for mediators are determined by each State court system, even though most mediation is out of court.  In general, all mediators must have basic mediation training.  For mediators who practice family mediation, elder mediation and divorce mediation, additional certifications are required.

Before you hire a mediator, check the mediator’s website for the credentials of the mediators. In addition, most mediators belong to the major mediation professional organizations and will include that in an area of their website.

The Mediation Nuts and Bolts

Just like any other product or service, when considering an online mediator, the process and fees are important. Most mediation groups will state their mediation philosophy, forms and fees on their website.  In addition, reliable groups offer free consults so you can decide if the mediation process is the right path for you.

Conclusion

Unlike the legal system, a mediator doesn’t decide who “wins” or “loses” but rather assists people in reaching common ground.   If you or a family member requires online mediation, contact us at O’Keeffe FMC.    We’ll work with you to find solutions to settle your dispute a peacefully as possible.