Our Services

Family Mediation

Family mediation is a confidential and informal way where an accredited mediator helps parents and families reach a mutually acceptable agreement and resolve issues that affect their lives.

 

Utilizing proven techniques and knowledge, a mediator will guide the parties and help them reduce the emotional stress and ensure safety for all participants. A mediator does not decide the outcome of a case but rather help to manage the issues and ensure the best possible results.

 

Anyone considering mediation should get all the facts about mediation, mediators and the organization(s) responsible for their accreditation or certification.

 

If you have already started a  family court case, most Judges will encourage parties to participate in  mediation and resolve some or all of their issues.  Over 80% of mediation  cases result in a full agreement. 

 

For any unresolved  issues, parties  have an opportunity to continue with their court action where a Judge will decide the outcome. 

Family mediation helps you resolve issues related to:

 

  • Decision making on major issues regarding the children (custody)
  • The time the children spend with each parent (access)
  • Financial support (spousal, child support and section 7 expenses)
  • Property division, debts
  • Mobility and travel
  • Communication difficulties
  • The role of new partners/spouses
  • Grandparents access

 

For more information about family mediation, see our FAQ section.

Child Protection Mediation

Since November 30, 2006, Ontario Children’s Aid Societies are required under the Child and Family Services Act to consider and/or use a prescribed method of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) on the following occasions:

 

  • If a child is, or may be, in need of protection, a Children’s Aid Society must consider whether a prescribed method of ADR could assist in resolving any issue related to the child or a plan for the child’s care (section 20.2(1)).

     

  • The court, at any time during a proceeding, and with the consent of the parties, may adjourn the proceeding to permit the parties to utilize a prescribed method of ADR to attempt to resolve the issues in a dispute (section 51.1).
Unhappy girl caring a teddy bear

Child protection mediation (CP Med) can be used to work through a number of issues, including:

  • The services the family will receive and participate in as part of the plan of care
  • The length of time a child will be cared for by someone other than their parent
  • How and when a parent or others may have access to a child
  • Resolving a dispute that would otherwise have to be settled in court
  • The time when a child can return to their parents and what conditions must be met and maintained
  • Adoption Openness
  • Parent-teen conflict
  • Extended society care orders
  • Access after apprehensions

Child protection mediation is funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. Mediators are paid by way of a transfer payment agency, not their local Child Welfare Agency.

Parenting Coordination (PC)

Parenting coordination is an alternative dispute resolution service for chronic high conflict couples.

 

The goal is to help parents interpret, implement and comply with their previously agreed upon parenting plan or court ordered plan. Parenting coordination is usually performed by mental health professionals, like social workers, however, some come from other disciplines.

 

Parents often hire a PC when they have exhausted all other avenues of conflict resolution and the children remain negatively impacted by their conflict. To begin the process, parents are encouraged to get independent legal advice and ensure their lawyers sign the PC agreement with them.


Parenting coordinating blends legal and clinical function with the intent to resolve disputes in a timely manner and finalize an issue. It is appropriate in situations where there is a high degree of anger and mistrust, poor communication, verbal abuse and aggression, high retaliation rate and where there are multiple agencies involved like police, child protection and other professionals.


Parenting coordination helps to:

  • Clarify language in a court order
  • Resolve parenting issues and minimize parental conflict
  • Promote better communication and conflict-resolution skills
  • Resolve disputes relating to separation agreements or court orders
  • Educate parents on communication styles

Post Divorce Conflict Management

Bringing two parents and their children together can be very challenging for a number of reasons, including different traditions, routines and parenting styles. It can be hard to balance different expectations from so many people.

 

Blended families experiencing these challenges , will be provided with resources, including individual or group counselling (or a combination of the two ) to help them balance the day-to-day of everyday life. Registration is required for all group sessions and may include guest speakers.

Civil Mediation

Civil Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution process used to resolve disputes in civil cases.  Mediating a civil dispute avoids law suits in court, which are expensive, unpredictable  and time consuming.  The process allows for those in dispute to be in the same room at the same time with a mediator  to ensure the process is fair  and everyone has a say in the outcome. Some common areas of civil disputes include:

People in dispute having a civil mediation with a mediator

Mediators charge based on the number of participants, the number of issues to be resolved and  the time commitment invested (including time to read documents, photocopying, travel and accommodations).   Most mediations are completed within one day.