Mediation is a voluntary process wherein a neutral mediator helps facilitate effective communication between people in conflict. Mediation allows clients the opportunity to speak directly to one another about issues of concern in a neutral environment and to engage more easily in cooperative problem-solving. In doing so many clients are able to avoid the more expensive and adversarial process of court proceedings and to customize solutions that work best for their family situation. Where children are involved, the focus is also better kept on the best interests of the children. Both Sheila and Pam specialize in the mediation of parenting plans and neither mediate financial issues.

Working as independent practitioners, Sheila and Pam also offer co-mediation and have developed a unique and comprehensive model of working with parents undergoing separation. In these instances, we work collaboratively with you as a team to inclusively address the differing needs of all family members during the separation/divorce process.

In many cases, one of us may be mediating a parenting plan with the parents when it becomes clear that it is important to bring the voice of the children into the mediation process to help the parents with their decision-making. When this occurs, it is helpful to give the children the opportunity to talk to a different professional than the one who is working directly with the parents. For this reason Sheila and Pam will often work together, with one of them seeing the parents and the other seeing the children.

While it is important to separate out the work of the parents from the emotional tasks of the children, it is imperative that the overall goals of the work are integrated and that there is effective communication between the professionals. Sheila and Pam’s years of experience in working together with families ensures that multiple perspectives can be taken into account. We also work with parents to structure and improve their communication in order to minimize the impact of parental conflict on their children. Once your parenting plan is done, we can work with you to adjust to it and make changes as your children get older.

Sheila & Pam begin the mediation process by meeting with each parent individually to answer questions about the process, to obtain a better understanding of each parent’s concerns and goals, and to obtain each parent’s perspective about the needs of the children. If the parents are not yet working with lawyers, Sheila & Pam will provide referral information to ensure that each parent has access to legal advice throughout the mediation process.

Sheila is an Accredited Mediator with the Ontario Association of Family Mediation and is experienced in mediating a variety of family relationship issues including:

Parenting Post Separation	Cohabitation Agreements
Parent/Teen Conflicts	Blended Family Issues
Fertility/Adoption Issues	Intergenerational Family Conflicts