People often wonder whether or not mediation is an effective tool to help resolve a problem that they have. In general terms, mediation is a very versatile process that can be useful in many settings. Mediation is regularly practiced in interpersonal disputes (relationships, dating issues, personal property, victim reconciliation matters), family matters (divorce mediation, parent/child disputes, custody, estate issues), and business matters (small claims cases, workplace disputes, contract negotiations).

To decide whether mediation may or may not be the best approach for you to use in resolving a particular dispute, please consider the following:

1. Is resolving the dispute important enough to you? 

   If the issue is not very important to you, or if the relationship involved does not exist outside of the conflict, a person may wish to avoid the conflict.

   If the issue is not very important to you, but the relationship is, a person may wish to accommodate the other person, find common ground for a compromise, or work collaboratively to find the best solution (including mediation).

   If the issue and the relationship are both important to you, then finding a collaborative solution that satisfies both parties is critical. Mediation is highly effective because it is not only designed to help people resolve their differences, but also to address the underlying issues that led to the conflict and to teach skills with which to resolve future conflicts.

2. Am I willing to take the time required by the mediation process to create a lasting solution? 

   Although mediation does not take a lot of time, it does require an investment of enough time for each person to talk things through and to allow time for the development of new and creative solutions. Mediation sessions are normally scheduled for a two-hour period, though more or less time can be utilized as necessary.

3. What will happen if I don't try mediation to resolve this conflict?  

   Ask yourself: what is the worst thing that will happen if I don't get this conflict resolved? What is the best thing that can happen? Imagining life without getting the problem or conflict resolved can tell you a lot about whether or not you will find the mediation process useful.