What is Mediation?

• ​Mediation is a conflict resolution process in which mediators help participants have difficult conversations
• Mediators help participants communicate and empower them to create their own solutions
• ​In mediation, people speak for themselves and make their own decisions
• Mediation is: Confidential, Non-Judgmental and Voluntary

​Our Mediation Model - Transformative Theory

• Seeks to empower the participants by focusing on interaction and communication between the participants
  
• Foster the opportunity for clear decision  making and understanding the other participant’s views
  
• Mediators will be focused on the quality of the interaction rather than, trying to have the participant’s come to an agreement
  
• Mediators support participants develop their own rules and guidelines for the session, not the other way around
  
• Mediators do not council, give advice, make decision for the participants, or pass judgments

So, How Does Mediation Work?

• The participants set the ground rules for their conversation
• Participants are supported by neutral mediators during the conversation
• Participants become clearer on their position, needs and solutions
• Participants gain a better understanding of each other and their position
• With a clearer understanding, participants make their own decisions and are better able to work on solutions together
• Mediators will help write any agreements/plans when applicable

What Services Does CMCSMC offer?

Community Mediation of St. Mary’s County, offers a wide range of mediation services for the community. Whether it's a dispute with your neighbor or friend; a disagreement with your tenant/landlord; not seeing eye to eye with a coworker; going through a divorce; in need of a parenting plan, or anything else where conflict is involved, the Mediation Center handles it all!

Some examples:
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​Separation and Divorce Mediations
Navigating the complexities of separation/divorce can be daunting; when children are part of the equation it can feel like an impossible task. Participants are supported as they work through how to divide assets and/or develop a parenting plan that works for everyone. 

Parent-Teen Mediation
Raising children is no small feat; lack of communication, problems at school, and dating concerns are just some reasons families turn to mediation for support. Mediators help parents and teens talk to each other and create solutions for their unique situation.

Prisoner Re-entry
Returning home has a wide variety of challenges; two of the most common is establishing a transition plan and how to repair damaged relationships. Re-entry mediation is an opportunity to be supported by mediators as they navigate these difficult discussions.

Organizational Development
In addition to offering free mediation services, we also offers conflict management for staff, large/small group facilitation, and forum host/moderators to businesses, organizations and agencies to help them build stronger teams and work together more effectively.

Click Here for more information or get your mediation scheduled