This Webinar is designed (primarily) for Family Mediators working with separating/divorcing parents. The webinar’s content provides a framework for the initial, individual meeting held with each parent. The framework is organized around themes of information gathering and information sharing pertinent to a mediator’s demonstration of neutrality, impartiality, and the preservation of the parties’ self -determination within the process. Each theme encompasses a number of ‘threads’ that are woven throughout the private discussion with each parent to establish a foundation of common understanding and trust between the mediator and each party prior to bringing them together in mediation. This ‘first meeting’ approach is strictly specific to family dynamics that involve children. The root of all threads is the Best Interest of Child (BIOC) and assisting parents to remain child-focused and forward thinking as they navigate the terrain of family change.

Ayne Meiklem is a longstanding certified Member of FMC, the Coordinator of FMC’s Pre-Certification Role Play Group Program, and an FMC Certification Assessor. She invites you to join her for a review of the power of the ‘Reframe’ in Mediation. In her work assisting our Members prepare for their Advanced Certification in Family Relations and Comprehensive Family Relations, Ayne has observed a decline in the understanding and use of reframing among both novice and seasoned Mediators. As reframing is one of the most valuable tools in a Mediator’s tool kit, this is worrisome. In an effort to prevent reframing from becoming a lost art – Ayne hopes that you will join her in a discussion of ‘what it is’ and ‘why it is so important’ that we continue to use this valuable tool and keep our reframing skills sharp.