I’m delighted to be back in the mediation seat and looking forward to resuming my professional practice and working with clients again to help them get the best solutions. Although I’ve been kept pretty busy during my maternity leave by my little man, I’ve been keeping up to date with what has been happening in the world of family mediation. So, what’s new?
For me, I’ll be continuing to offer mediation through the online video method (I use zoom). I have found since the dreaded coronavirus period that most, if not all clients actually prefer to mediate through zoom. I’ve always been a believer that sitting down face to face is best but I’ve realised, through experience, that sometimes despite two people sharing a desire to work together, a barrier to mediation has been that physical sensation of being in the same room as the person they are struggling to communicate with. The distance of not being physically in the same room together but mediating in a safe, comfortable space you can make your own, gives confidence to many who just aren’t comfortable sitting in a room and enables us to move forward a lot quicker into productive discussions. I tend to work harder over zoom to ensure I am properly reading the virtual room and working effectively. It also makes it easier to build in the flexibility that you may need in your particular circumstances. It may be that you want to plan to mediate over the course of a single or half day. You can be in your safe space, with your own home comforts for any breaks during those longer sessions.
I will continue to offer a bespoke service which was and remains my main vision for Clare Madeline Mediation when I set up in 2017. In planning how you get the best from your mediation, I will discuss with you the range of ways you can map out your mediation for your unique circumstances which really helps to ensure that your mediation can best be tailored to get to an outcome that works for both of you.
Work life balance is important to me and I practice what I preach to both my mediators who I support as well as my clients who are going through the most difficult time of their lives and often are exhausted and mentally and physically drained. In order for me to be in the best place to help you, I look after myself with regular breaks. You will get the same personalised degree of care but as usual, I am not available all day every day. Often I am mediating during the working day and unable to take calls or respond to e-mails. I will always respond to you within 24 hours, unless it’s a weekend.
If there is anything I can do to make your experience of working with me the best it can possibly be in tough times, please do not hesitate to contact me.
