Frances P. Allen, MA, LSW Mediator Fran Allen is a trained mediator and licensed social worker with a Masters degree in corporate and organizational communication. She provides mediation services for families (including parenting plans during and after divorce), workplaces, and community conflict. She also offers training in communication skills and assists with conflict resolution for agencies, churches and businesses.

What is Mediation? Mediation is an informal, constructive way of resolving disputes. You and the person (or people) you disagree with sit down with a person who's neutral (the mediator), and the mediator helps you find a solution you can live with. The session is private, and reaching agreement is voluntary (you can back out of the process at any time). If you resolve your dispute, the agreement is really yours. The mediator only helps you look at the problem in new ways - ways that may offer more options than just one person winning or losing. The mediator's role is to establish an atmosphere that will allow you to communicate openly, but safely and effectively, so that you can find solutions to disputes you thought were insoluble - solutions you might not otherwise have been able to think of. What Mediation is Not Mediation is not a legal proceeding. A mediator doesn't take sides and is not a decision maker. Mediation is not the practice of law. You may well benefit from mediation if you are in a legal dispute (mediation may be quicker, cheaper, and more comfortable than going to court), but you should always have your attorney review any agreements you reach. Mediation is not therapy or counseling. Mediation helps people resolve specific disputes and come to specific agreements. How Might Mediation Help You? Mediation can be used in resolving many different types of disputes, but is most helpful when you have an ongoing relationship with the other person: Are you trying to work out parenting issues with a divorcing spouse? Is your co-worker driving you up a wall? Are you having a problem with your landlord? Did your dentist charge more than you expected to pay? Do you and your spouse disagree over your children's discipline? Are your siblings arguing over who should take in your elderly mother? Are neighbors interfering with your peace? Is your teen always in trouble with the teacher? Some issues are too important to keep fighting over. Mediation may help you to settle your differences without inflicting unnecessary injury or causing a permanent rift in the relationship. What You Can Expect In Mediation: Mediation usually begins with people agreeing to a set of "ground rules", in order to establish an atmosphere of safety and respect. These may include simple commitments to speak honestly, respectfully, and to maintain the privacy of the session. While sessions may vary, most often the mediator next asks each person to take a turn telling about the dispute. This time is uninterrupted. After everyone has had a chance to speak, questions may be asked for clarification, and the important issues are identified. Only after that is done can you begin the work of problem solving. If you reach an agreement, it is put in writing for you to take with you. If it's a legal matter, you'll be reminded to review it with your attorney. Mediation sessions are usually scheduled for a 2-3 hour period. Many disputes can be resolved in that time. Some conflicts, of course (especially those involving large groups), will require more than one session. Despite people's best efforts, some disputes resist total resolution. Even in those cases, however, people can usually find at least some common ground, and that's an important step towards peace. Call (304)424-0902 for a free consultation, if you think mediation might help. Please do not email any information specific to your dispute. Email Frances P. Allen, MA, LSW       Because messages sent on the internet are never totally secure, and are not necessarily read the same day they’re sent, our Email feature is not intended for therapy, but for sharing information on mental health issues, or about our practice. If you wish to share information that is either confidential or urgent, call us at (304)422-4300 or 1-800-841-7876, so that someone can speak with you privately.