WHY BECOME A CERTIFIED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MEDIATOR:

As a mediator, there are significantly different considerations when mediating with couples and families with a history of domestic violence. Domestic Violence doesn't end when the relationship is over, DV often continues long after the relationship has expired as a continued form of power and control.

 

How a mediator sets up mediation and engages in the negotiation process in these situations can either help or hinder the parties' ability to overcome an impasse. With the right tools a mediator can empower the parties to instead walk away with a safe, efficient and specific mediated agreement. Considerations that impact co-parenting (if there are minor children), the safety of the victim(s), or the ability to come to a mediated agreement without jeopardizing safety can have lasting and long term effects otherwise.

 

Lacking the right tools to navigate these mediations and choosing to leave agreements vague can often result in extensive and ongoing litigation and legal battles for the involved parties. If the mediation process lacks boundaries established to protect all parties, and there are not consequences established with enforcement built into very specific parenting plans and mediated agreements, the parties potentially risk greater break down and exposure to worsening violence over time.

 

Doing what you can as a mediator to help DV parties avoid further trauma starts with a strong, assertive, and well informed mediator that is prepared to consider and negotiate with the parties to create a safe, well negotiated and specific mediated agreement. 

 

Having been a Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician and additionally an Executive Director at a domestic violence & crisis agency prior to becoming a mediator, I have learned that individualized training in navigating crisis especially in domestic violence is a crucial skill-set needed in mediating family law conflicts. I developed this domestic violence certification with co-instructor Carol Barkes as a specialized course and curriculum for mediators. Focusing on trauma-informed practices and negotiation techniques, this training helps create safety for high-conflict parties entering mediation, and educates mediators in how to successfully collaborate and negotiate with high-conflict individuals in an often toxic and trauma-bonded perpetrator/victim relationship, and in navigating the landscape around abuse with the emotional and hostile behavior that can sometimes crop up in the mediation process.

 

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
Identifying & Recognizing Signs of Domestic Violence ♦ Domestic Violence - A Judge’s Perspective ♦ Domestic Violence Assessment Tools ♦ Making Mediation Safe ♦ Roles & Responsibilities of the Screener ♦ How Children are Affected by Domestic Violence ♦ Cultural Concerns ♦ Mediation with Protection Orders and No Contact Orders in Place ♦ Dealing with Triggers After Domestic Violence ♦ Recognizing and Addressing Escalation ♦ Domestic Violence Sensitive Language ♦ Parenting Plan Consideration and Brainstorming where Domestic Violence is present ♦ Boundaries around Mediation with Domestic Violence ♦ Self Care for Mediators after working high-conflict cases ♦ and more!

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WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

Anyone who mediates cases potentially involving domestic violence or parties in high-conflict, with or without children, in both civil and criminal domestic violence cases. This certification also includes anyone seeking more information to help them better understand and relate to those affected by domestic violence.

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FLEXIBILITY IN ENROLLMENT:

In recognizing that often training is completed in addition to a regular work load for the individual choosing to enroll, we have evening and weekend trainings with enrollment happening every few months. Also, if you need to miss a portion of class you are enrolled in, you can make that missed class up, by attending the same day in a future enrollment to complete your certification.