Facilitators:

David Dyck and Janine Hogue Sansregret

Course Dates:

January 21, 22, 23, 28 and 29, 2025 | 8:30am-4:00pm | In-person at Mediation Services

Basic Mediation Skills

Workshop Description

In this engaging, hands-on workshop, participants will get their first taste of a comprehensive model for conducting interpersonal mediation while also getting a “snapshot” of the role of the professional mediator. A process that typically unfolds over a period of weeks or months will be explored over 5 action packed days. 

Skills related to conducting initial interviews, co-mediator planning, follow-up preparation/coaching, and carrying out joint meetings in workplace and/or community-based situations will be explored and practiced. Practical tools and practice are augmented by rich discussion throughout related to key concepts, frameworks and assumptions, all aimed at helping participants gain a solid, basic grasp of the process.  Additional techniques for addressing other challenges that inevitably arise in the practice of mediation will be explored as time permits.

The course is led by two senior, seasoned practitioners and each training participant is provided with an opportunity to be coached by a trainer in one role play practice session.

Workshop Objectives

This workshop provides participants with the opportunity to: 

• Learn a comprehensive mediation model for intervening in multi-incident and/or multi-issue conflict in the context of disputants with ongoing relationships (i.e. from initial interviews to assessment to coaching, joint session, and closure); 
• Learn specific frameworks for conducting both case development and joint session(s) that, in turn, draw and build on skills and concepts learned in Introduction to Conflict Resolution: Dealing with Difficult People; 
• Explore, as time permits, additional frameworks for addressing challenging situations such as: when the leader who called you in is seen to be a contributor in the conflict, when parties have a lengthier history of unaddressed tensions; or when systemic dysfunction is contributing to the conflict; and 
• Improve interpersonal listening, leadership, and assertiveness skills in the role of a third-party mediator.