What is Mediation?
Mediation provides a forum for two or more parties experiencing conflict to meet together and, in the presence of a trained neutral mediator, communicate with one another more openly, understand one another better, and hopefully reach agreement on their issues.
Mediation can help the parties repair a relationship through increased understanding of one another as well as collaborating on finding solutions with one another. The mediator does not provide answers or make decisions but supports the parties to find their own answers and make their own decisions.
Mediation can support friends, family members, or neighbors in dispute. Mediation can support disputes involving a small business and a customer or between a landlord and a tenant. Mediation can be your first path toward resolving disagreements before involving lawyers and filing lawsuits.
Getting Started
If you are interested in scheduling a mediation or simply learning more about mediation to determine if it is right for your situation, call me at 703-217-3798 to conduct a brief intake. If you decide to move forward with scheduling a mediation, I will also conduct a brief intake call with the other party. Mediation is a voluntary process so both parties must agree to mediate.
Since 2020, our mediations have been conducted primarily over Zoom. Once a convenient date/time is set, both parties will receive a Zoom link to attend the mediation. Mediation sessions are scheduled for 2 hours. Some mediations do not require the full 2 hours; some parties decide to schedule an additional mediation session. Additional sessions can occur whenever the parties would find them most helpful; some parties decide to schedule another session immediately, others return for additional sessions a month or more later.
The fee for each mediation session is $250. Unless otherwise agreed to by both parties, each party will pay 50% of the mediation fee. Payment can be made through PayPal or Venmo. For security purposes, no personal credit cards are accepted. Payment must be received no later than 24 hours prior to the scheduled mediation; otherwise, mediation will be cancelled.
Post-Mediation
As part of the mediation fee, the mediator will document any agreements that the parties reach during the course of the mediation. This document is merely a draft of agreements as understood by the mediator and is not legally binding in any way. Parties can schedule follow-on mediation sessions to finalize the agreement if they so wish.
Certification
Marisa Sanchez, PhD, was trained and certified by the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation.
Pro Bono
Most counties in Maryland offer free mediation services to their residents. If interested in free mediation, connect with your local mediation center. Dr. Sanchez is a volunteer mediator for the Community Mediation Center of Calvert County (https://www.calvert-mediation.org).