New Ways for Families® Pre-Mediation Coaching Workbook (PDF downloadable version)

WHO IS IT FOR: This New Ways for Families® Pre-Mediation Coaching Workbook is designed for parents to use with a coach (lawyers, counselors or mediators) in before mediation. Ideally, the coach is trained in the New Ways for Families Pre-Mediation Coaching method. You can find a list of trained coaches in your community here.

If you’re preparing for a mediation to solve any type of problem, one or two sessions with a coach before the mediation can help you stay calm, make reasonable proposals and make decisions that can last. Your coach, using the Coaching Manual, can help you practice 4 key skills in advance that can help you accomplish these goals during the mediation process. Your coach can be your lawyer, a counselor, the mediator who is providing the mediation or a mediation staff person.

This workbook gives you some important points about mediation and 4 key skills you can discuss and practice with your coach before your mediation – or any out-of-court decision-making process.

This workbook was designed for parents dealing with separation and divorce using principles from the New Ways for Families® method. However, it can be used with any client before any mediation, even if there are no children or family issues.

This model is particularly beneficial for potentially high-conflict parents who would benefit from learning the skills prior to mediation, but do not require intensive counseling. Learning the skills prior to mediation should make for a more effective mediation process.