Mediation is a process in which an impartial and independent third party facilitates communication and negotiation and promotes voluntary decision making by the parties to a dispute to assist them to reach a mutually acceptable solution. Further information about Mediation in Ireland is available from the Mediators Institute of Ireland.

In addition to my work as a counsellor, I am a certified member of the Mediators Institute of Ireland. I have a special interest in and have completed specialist training in Separating Couples Mediation. I also work in the areas of workplace and family/community mediation. I hold a current MII practicing certificate and work in accordance with the MII Code of Ethics and Practice.

I am also an associate mediator with Arc Mediation, Waterford.

Mediation provides a confidential and safe environment for the parties to air their issues and concerns with the other party at first hand and to hear the complaints, issues and concerns that are being made against them. The content of the mediation is confidential to the parties and the Mediator and can only be shared with a third party with the expressed permission of all parties except where natural disclosure would occur.

The following, which is taken from Mediators institute website, shows the advantages of Mediation:

• Less Adversarial
  Mediation is an interest-based process based on consensus and collaborative agreement.
• Lower Cost
  Both in monetary and personal terms, mediation is inexpensive compared to rights-based interventions.
• Preservation of Relationships
  Mediation works towards long-term solutions for the disputing Parties, and where there is an ongoing relationship places significant emphasis on how they will interact in the future.
• Control
  Mediation belongs to the Parties. The disputing Parties control the content and outcome of the mediation.
• Creative Solutions
  Mediation allows for creative solutions which may not be available in rights-based processes.
• Protection of Privacy
  The confidential nature of mediation allows the Parties to negotiate freely and productively without fear of publicity.
• Swift Settlement
  Mediation can be scheduled soon after a dispute arises and following the pre-mediation meetings, can often be concluded in a single day.
• Preservation of Options
  Engagement in a mediated intervention does not preclude participation in a different dispute resolution process.
• Low Risk
  Settlement potential is high and there are benefits to participating in the process
  for all.