Mediation
Nathalie H. Thompson, SPHR, is a VA Supreme Court Certified Mentor Mediator and has mediating in Virginia for 6 years. She is also a member of NVMS' Restorative Justice leadership team and a RJ facilitator in the Fairfax County School system.
VA Supreme Court Certified Mediator Code of Ethics
VA Supreme Court Certified Mediator Code of Ethics
“If you understood everything I said, you’d be me!”
Miles Davis
Many disputes arise out of a failure by either one or all of the parties to communicate, understand or consider the needs and interests of the other(s). People fix their attention on the question, "Who is right and who is wrong?" and become blind to the possibility that both may have a legitimate point of view.
Mediation is an informal, confidential process where a trained neutral guides people in meaningful dialogue to create a mutually acceptable solution that resolves their conflicts and problems. Mediators can help parties change the quality of their interactions from confrontational win-lose arguments to collaborative problem solving discussions.
Effective mediation allows all parties the opportunity to speak and be heard and provides them the opportunity to hear new information, increase their understanding of their situation and to identify options for resolution.
A mediator is not an arbiter or judge and does not make a judgment or determination about which party is right or what the solution should be. Mediators do not make decisions for or give advice to the parties.
We incorporate restorative practice principles into our mediation processes. With its roots in the practice of Restorative Justice, restorative practice principles focus on repairing harm to people and relationships rather than on assigning blame, and imposing only negative consequences.
Restorative practice principles include:
¨ Creating an environment of respect and inclusion.
¨ Personal accountability.
¨ Building community and commitment to relationships.
¨ Collaborative problem solving and decision making.
¨ Empowerment.
Restorative practices can be very helpful dealing with youth behavior by addressing "thinking errors"
and helping youth develop better decision making skills. Including issues such as: vandalism, noise, bullying,
school attendance, issues with neighbors, shoplifting, etc.
Restorative practices can also be used in the workplace, religious organizations, community and
government to discuss difficult issues by creating a structure that allows everyone involved an equal
voice in the discussion.
Miles Davis
Many disputes arise out of a failure by either one or all of the parties to communicate, understand or consider the needs and interests of the other(s). People fix their attention on the question, "Who is right and who is wrong?" and become blind to the possibility that both may have a legitimate point of view.
Mediation is an informal, confidential process where a trained neutral guides people in meaningful dialogue to create a mutually acceptable solution that resolves their conflicts and problems. Mediators can help parties change the quality of their interactions from confrontational win-lose arguments to collaborative problem solving discussions.
Effective mediation allows all parties the opportunity to speak and be heard and provides them the opportunity to hear new information, increase their understanding of their situation and to identify options for resolution.
A mediator is not an arbiter or judge and does not make a judgment or determination about which party is right or what the solution should be. Mediators do not make decisions for or give advice to the parties.
We incorporate restorative practice principles into our mediation processes. With its roots in the practice of Restorative Justice, restorative practice principles focus on repairing harm to people and relationships rather than on assigning blame, and imposing only negative consequences.
Restorative practice principles include:
¨ Creating an environment of respect and inclusion.
¨ Personal accountability.
¨ Building community and commitment to relationships.
¨ Collaborative problem solving and decision making.
¨ Empowerment.
Restorative practices can be very helpful dealing with youth behavior by addressing "thinking errors"
and helping youth develop better decision making skills. Including issues such as: vandalism, noise, bullying,
school attendance, issues with neighbors, shoplifting, etc.
Restorative practices can also be used in the workplace, religious organizations, community and
government to discuss difficult issues by creating a structure that allows everyone involved an equal
voice in the discussion.
Why mediate?
You are in control
You work together with the other parties to make decisions about what is best for you and you create your own solutions.
It's voluntary
Parties only participate if they want to and may stop the mediation at any time.
It's timely and cost effective
Unresolved conflict takes a toll on emotional and physical health, workplace productivity and relationships. It can also end up in litigation which can be financially costly and a time consuming process.
It's private and confidential
No records are kept of the mediation conversation, except for the agreement (which is sometimes required to be shared with parties outside the mediation. Additional exceptions to confidentiality may be found on the "Consent to Mediate" form.)
Focused on the future
Mediation allows parties to explore and share their interests, needs, values and goals and to explore solutions that allow them to move forward and not become locked into continually reliving and enlarging perceived harms. It allows for the rebuilding and restoring of relationships.
You work together with the other parties to make decisions about what is best for you and you create your own solutions.
It's voluntary
Parties only participate if they want to and may stop the mediation at any time.
It's timely and cost effective
Unresolved conflict takes a toll on emotional and physical health, workplace productivity and relationships. It can also end up in litigation which can be financially costly and a time consuming process.
It's private and confidential
No records are kept of the mediation conversation, except for the agreement (which is sometimes required to be shared with parties outside the mediation. Additional exceptions to confidentiality may be found on the "Consent to Mediate" form.)
Focused on the future
Mediation allows parties to explore and share their interests, needs, values and goals and to explore solutions that allow them to move forward and not become locked into continually reliving and enlarging perceived harms. It allows for the rebuilding and restoring of relationships.
How does the mediation process work?
1. The mediator provides parties an orientation to the mediation process, answers questions about the
process, reviews with and has parties sign a "Consent to Mediate" form.
2. Each participant is given an opportunity to speak uninterrupted about what they hope to accomplish
in the mediation and what is important to them about their situation and its resolution.
3. The mediator then helps the parties to identify, discuss and understand each other’s interests, needs
and points of view.
4. Once all the issues, needs and interests have been clarified the mediator then assists the parties in
finding lasting solutions to their problems.
5. Finally, the mediator will help the parties prepare a written agreement.
process, reviews with and has parties sign a "Consent to Mediate" form.
2. Each participant is given an opportunity to speak uninterrupted about what they hope to accomplish
in the mediation and what is important to them about their situation and its resolution.
3. The mediator then helps the parties to identify, discuss and understand each other’s interests, needs
and points of view.
4. Once all the issues, needs and interests have been clarified the mediator then assists the parties in
finding lasting solutions to their problems.
5. Finally, the mediator will help the parties prepare a written agreement.
Mediation Services
Types of disputes handled:
Workplace: Employee disputes, sexual harassment claims, deteriorating performance, terminations..
Landlords/tenants: Security deposits, damage, care and upkeep, noise, pets...
Neighbors/HOA's: Property line, noise, pets, children, basketball hoops, cars, eyesores...
Family: School, rules, chores, car use, dating, siblings, money...
Roommates: Sharing facilities, utility costs, other expenses...
Workplace: Employee disputes, sexual harassment claims, deteriorating performance, terminations..
Landlords/tenants: Security deposits, damage, care and upkeep, noise, pets...
Neighbors/HOA's: Property line, noise, pets, children, basketball hoops, cars, eyesores...
Family: School, rules, chores, car use, dating, siblings, money...
Roommates: Sharing facilities, utility costs, other expenses...
Mediation Contact Form
If you would like to explore using mediation please complete and submit the below form.