Mediation
Dispute Resolution with a Family Focus
Mediation is the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process in which both parents seek a voluntary resolution of their disputes. If both parents do not agree to a settlement, then there is no settlement.
Mediation presents an opportunity for parents (or other individuals in a dispute) to work together, proactively – and to take back for themselves the decision-making that would otherwise be left to the courts. Parents might choose mediation because they can shape the outcome of the dispute resolution, in the way that works best for themselves and their families.
Dr. Anderson mediates parents’ disputes, helping them find their way through conflict to a resolution with confidentiality, impartiality and neutrality.
The Emotional and Financial Burdens of Ongoing Disputes
Ongoing contested family court proceedings are time-consuming and financially burdensome – not just because of the cost of the litigation itself, but also because of the opportunity cost of missed work and time off. Parents seeking to lighten that burden or to avoid it may turn to mediation to bring an end to all, or part, of their family-related disputes.
Divorces and post-decree cases can be emotionally charged, and draining. For parents and caregivers in a dispute, this is especially true because the conflict concerns the children that they’re caring for – and there’s nothing more important to people than their children. Mediation can help bring relief to parents weighed down by child-related conflicts.
In mediating child-related disputes, Dr. Anderson encourages parents to take a child-focused approach – one that eschews a win-lose mentality, and which turns instead toward thinking creatively, finding common goals, formulating shared interests, and compromising in a manner that positively benefits the health, safety and welfare of the kids. The parents can be the authors of that family-focused and child-centered compromise; and ultimately, the authors of their parenting plan or other binding agreements.
Varied Concerns and Disputes
Dr. Anderson provides mediation to address a range of family-related issues. For instance, disputes concerning a comprehensive parenting plan in the early stages of a separation or divorce. Or post-decree issues presenting themselves now, but which were not contemplated back at the time of the divorce decree. Dr. Andrson’s training and experience supports the mediation process particularly well when issue-resolution calls for consideration of, and understanding of, developmental stages of children, and the ideal supportive measures for a specific family.
Knowledge and Experienced Approach
Dr. Anderson has trained in the areas of divorce mediation and family mediation. She has worked with families and parents extensively for more than 20 years, in a variety of roles – as family therapist, as a parenting consultant, as child consultant (in child-inclusive mediation), and as parenting coach. All of these roles guide her work to help parents reach better mediated solutions for themselves and their families.
Dr. Anderson provides mediation in-person at her office in Woodbury, Minnesota, or online via Zoom, with options for mediating together or caucusing separately. She takes care to ensure that parents each have an opportunity to be heard, to be understood, and to engage actively in the resolution process.