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Child and Family Mental Health is pleased to present a guest post by Ellen F. Kandell, Esq. Ellen has 15 years of experience as a mediator and is the owner of Maryland Family Mediation and Alternative Resolutions, LLC. More information is available at www.marylandfamilymediation.net or www.alternativeresolutions.net .

What is mediation?

Mediation is a process where a third party neutral helps the individuals in conflict make their own decisions about the problems they face. The mediator sets ground rules for managing the dialogue between the couple and for open and full disclosure of all necessary information required to make decisions. In this way the less knowledgeable party is empowered. By using skilled listening and paraphrasing the mediator helps bring clarity so that each person can begin to understand the other’s needs and make decisions that meet both parties’ needs. [Read more…]

We are pleased to present a guest post by Sue Soler, LCSW-C, a master’s level social worker with over fifteen years experience working with children and families.  Sue works both as a a divorce coach and as a child specialist with families who are going through the process of Collaborative Divorce .  As a divorce coach, Sue works with parents who are undergoing divorce to strengthen communication skills, manage emotions, and create goals that address their and their family’s needs . As a child specialist, she serves as an advocate for children, assessing their needs to assist parents in developing plans that meet the needs of the whole family.  Sue also serves as a mediator for families undergoing separation or divorce, and helps parents  develop creative options to address their family’s needs. Please see Sue’s contact information at the bottom of the post.

Parents who are in a separation or divorce process often feel understandable feelings of overwhelm and trepidation about telling their children what is happening.  Still, children greatly benefit when they receive accurate and clear information; without facts, they may answer their own questions and fill the void with inaccuracies and assumptions. [Read more…]