Therapeutic Mediation

ROBERT M. NEWELL, PH.D.

FORENSIC AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Specializing in Behavioral Healthcare for Children &

Adolescents, Families, Couples, and Adults.

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CHILD FOCUSED THERAPEUTIC MEDIATION

Child Focused Therapeutic Mediation is a treatment intervention designed especially for divorcing or divorced parents to assist them in resolving emotional issues that are creating a high-conflict situation for their children, and that are preventing them from co-parenting effectively. The basic goals of therapeutic mediation are to help parents learn to resolve their conflict, communicate more effectively, and to develop a post-divorce co-parenting strategy that will enable them to reach mutually acceptable decisions about the best interest of their children. The focus of therapeutic mediation is on the best interests of the child. The successful outcome of therapeutic mediation is reduced conflict, more effective co-parenting strategies, and a more stable emotional environment for the children. Also as a result of participating in therapeutic mediation, parents often reach a mutual agreement between themselves about a residential schedule and other co-parenting issues, as well as develop a mechanism for resolving any future disputes. Families who participate in therapeutic mediation are much more likely to resolve conflict on a long-term basis, and are much less likely to return to court to litigate their disputes.

Child Focused Therapeutic Mediation differs from conventional mediation in a number of important ways. For example, child focused therapeutic mediation is a therapeutic process, not a legal process. The focus is on what is best for the child in terms of developing a post-divorce situation that fosters a child’s healthy growth and development, and not on the legal rights or interests of either parent. Next, the focus is on developing an in-depth understanding of the nature and history of the conflict, the parents' personality styles and communication patterns, the child's needs as they relate to these issues, and a mechanism for resolving future issues as they arise, and not on simply negotiating a short-term resolution. The therapeutic mediation sessions typically involve only the parents (usually separately), but sometimes may include the children. The therapeutic mediation process is short-term and goal-directed.

Therapeutic mediation is appropriate for nearly all divorced parents who are experiencing conflict, but it especially suited for divorcing or divorced parents who are experiencing high-conflict interactions, and who therefore may not benefit from conventional mediation. Therapeutic mediation is especially appropriate for parents who have participated in traditional mediation without success, and whose only other option for resolving their differences is expensive and time-consuming litigation.

► CONTACT ME for more information about my Child Focused Therapeutic Mediation services.

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DR. ROBERT M. NEWELL

Telephone: 509-910-0329

Email: mail@drrobertnewell.com

Website: www.drrobertnewell.com