Divorcing or separating couples may choose to mediate and make their own decisions instead of going through the court process. Family mediation can offer a quicker and more cost-effective route as compared to court. Family mediation is based on empowering parents to make decisions for their families through facilitated negotiation. This is designed to help people feel empowered, provide a feeling of control, lessen anxiety and uncertainty.
Mediation
During the mediation, the family mediator will typically introduce information psycho-social education about children’s developmental needs and stages. In particular, family mediators will present research-based information about what is supportive of children in separating families. This informs the parents on options to make their arrangements going forward.
Separation and Divorce
The process of separating and divorcing can be overwhelming. It can be difficult for parents to see their children clearly or understand what may be happening for them. Often parents are unaware of how children genuinely feel as they do not have the vocabulary to express themselves. Instead, children might act out or regress at a younger age to express their stress. When this behaviour is misinterpreted, parents might blame the other parent or feel rejected. This can lead to problems in co-parenting and escalate the conflict.
Child Inclusive Mediation
One way to address this issue is the use of child inclusive mediation. Despite the name, children do not attend the mediation; instead, the child or children will meet with a child consultant.
1. The child consultant will meet with the children of the family and establish how they are doing and the experience of being that child.
2. The experiences and thoughts of the children are then reflected to the parents in mediation. The child consultant presents information through a developmental lens.
3. By hearing the child’s voice, parents can ensure that a child’s need is met, developmentally and emotionally. These reflections and messages can be powerful as, rather than children in a research group, parents can recognize the individual voice of their child in the feedback.
4. Guided by the child consultant and the family mediator, parents can then work on arrangements tailored to meet the needs of their specific child.
Your Child
Children are often confused and hurt during the divorce process. They love both parents and sometimes feel like they need to protect, support or care for the parent they are currently staying with or who they think is suffering the most. A child consultant will ensure that your child understands the process, is heard and that the child’s voice is not lost.
Children often express themselves through play, art and behaviour. A child consultant is trained to understand these expressions and verbalize it back to the parents. The parents use feedback presented by the child consultant to inform their decision-making. Child consultants are careful to explain to children that they will represent their views to help their parents make responsive decisions.
Co-authored with Sala Sihombing
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Although I am a registered clinical psychologist with the Hong Kong Society of Counseling and Psychology, I am not a licensed psychologist or any other type of licensed therapist in the United States. The information I am providing here is educational and informational. This social media page does not provide professional advice, nor does it create a professional-client relationship or any other type of relationship between us. You should always consult your own licensed mental health professional before making any changes regarding your mental health. My goal is to educate, guide, consult, and empower you regarding your mental health journey. Always consult your licensed mental healthcare provider(s) and never disregard or delay medical advice based on information posted on this page or post.