Lori Frank was working in the conflict resolution field when she sat in on a mediation session with a client. Immediately taken with the co-operative, forward-thinking process, she approached the mediator after the session to learn more about the career.

Today, as the owner of , she embraces the opportunity to help clients find meaningful resolution, particularly couples exploring separation and divorce.

B次元官网网址淚 have a lot of empathy, and a lot of patience to give both parties the time and space to tell me what they need to tell me individually, and then to work together to come to a resolution,B次元官网网址� Frank explains.

Yet despite the growth of mediation in recent years, some people still donB次元官网网址檛 realize itB次元官网网址檚 an option for couples working through separation and divorce.

Why mediation?

Mediation puts you in a powerful position of collaborating to determine your own outcome.

An alternative to an adversarial legal system, mediation offers a variety of benefits when both clients are open to its possibilities. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 there to facilitate discussion B次元官网网址� not convince the other person of a particular way of thinking,B次元官网网址� Frank notes.

Typically mediation is not only quicker and less adversarial, but also less expensive.

B次元官网网址淚 tell people to expect a minimum of about five hours over a series of sessions, but on average about seven hours,B次元官网网址� she says.

After initially meeting with each party individually, sheB次元官网网址檒l then meet both together, working toward a memorandum of understanding that clients can take to their lawyers for review and signing.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 about collaborating, even if you have different ideas. In the case of families, itB次元官网网址檚 about whatB次元官网网址檚 in the best interests of the kids,B次元官网网址� explains Frank, who also specializes in working with separating parents where the best interests of a child with special needs is being considered.

Looking forward to the next phase of life

B次元官网网址淲ith mediation, thereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of forward focus. It helps people move on more quickly and they can start adjusting to what life will look like next,B次元官网网址� Frank says.

B次元官网网址淲hat do you want your life to look like six months from now, a year from now, even five years now?B次元官网网址� she asks. B次元官网网址淎s youB次元官网网址檙e making decisions, you have that goal in mind, and you start to build a foundation for the future.B次元官网网址�

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In addition to her work with separating parents, also offers mediation for issues involving , and conflict resolution services. Learn more at