I hold dual bachelors and masters degrees in both law and psychotherapy. From 2002 to 2012 I worked as a Corporate and Family Lawyer (including as an Accredited Family Law Specialist from 2007). Since 2010 I’ve worked as a Specialist Family Law Mediator and since 2018 I’ve worked as a Child-Inclusive Mediator, Child Consultant and Individual, Relationship, Family and Co-Parenting Counsellor and Psychotherapist. I’m a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP), Nationally Accredited Mediator (AMDRAS), Accredited Mediator with the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators (AIFLAM) and registered with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) (Provisional 27503).

As a Specialist Family Law Mediator and Child-Inclusive Mediator, I only mediate family law matters. I facilitate mediations both in person and by Zoom, as well as both with and without lawyers.

My mediation practice is informed by an understanding of the nuances of power imbalances in relationships and affording safety in the context of domestic and family violence. This can include the use of shuttle mediations, where the parties remain in separate rooms throughout the entire process.

My flagship Child-Inclusive Mediation service utilises my dual qualifications and experience in law and psychotherapy. As a Family Therapist and Child Consultant, I work with school-aged children and their significant caregivers (usually parents). A Child-Inclusive Mediation empowers the child with a voice to express their lived experience and any wishes, and can involve art or play therapy.

I screen caregivers to safeguard against them weaponising the process against each other or the child. I assess the child for signs of trauma, attachment issues and third-party influence such as coaching or parental alienation. I reassure the child that the dispute between their caregivers isn’t their fault, and encourage them to express their needs, concerns and wishes. I discourage the child from attempting to make decisions about their relationships with caregivers such as who they live with and how much time they spend with them.

A Child-Inclusive Mediation has two parts. Part 1 is a lawyer-free zone and involves me spending time with the child and their caregivers. Part 2 generally involves lawyers and is where the caregivers mediate the issues in dispute as informed by the child’s lived experience.

I spend the morning with the child and their caregivers in a professional yet relaxed environment such as my therapy rooms or a specialist mediation centre. I begin by building rapport with the child and explaining the process to them. The process then involves a first session with the child, then a first debrief with caregivers, then a second session with the child, and then a second debrief with caregivers. Caregivers can observe my sessions with the child through glass windows to provide the child with the benefits of both safety and privacy.

If there are more than three children or complex issues involved, I’ll facilitate the Child-Inclusive Mediation over two days.

I can issue Section 60I Certificates under the Family Law Act (1975) (Cth) as required by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

Prior to a mediation each party attends a separate 1-hour pre-mediation risk assessment and intake with me by phone or (preferably) Zoom. I conduct a risk assessment to determine whether it’s appropriate for me to conduct a mediation. I then explain the mediation process, my mediation style and approach, and help the parties prepare for the mediation.

Each party is entitled to a support person in addition to their lawyer (who’s identity is confidential and they remain in a separate room from the main conference room).

If a party isn’t legally represented at a mediation and agreement is reached, I prepare a draft Parenting Plan or written Heads of Agreement (for property matters) for that party to then seek legal advice about.

I embrace the principles of neutrality, professionalism, and confidentiality.

I help the parties determine what the agenda items are and in what order they’ll be addressed. My preference is to tackle the most difficult issues first in the mediation process, to ensure that they get allocated sufficient time to be explored sufficiently. It also ensures that there isn’t a ‘pink elephant’ in the room causing a distraction.

I encourage the parties to move away from taking positions as to what they want, and rather explore their underlying interests, needs and concerns. I then adopt a creative, child-focussed, and future-oriented approach.

The first thing you should do to prepare for mediation is ensure that you’re emotionally and mentally prepared for the process. Discuss it with a trusted family member, friend, or professional such as a therapist. Be prepared to make concessions and compromises, as otherwise the mediation is almost guaranteed to fail.

If you want to discuss schooling, it helps to come prepared with information about the relevant schools (such as fees, curriculum, and extra-curricular activities) to provide the other party with. Similarly, if you want to discuss medical issues such as orthodontics, relevant information such as fees and timeframes will be helpful.

For financial matters, it’s essential that all parties make full and frank disclosure of all significant assets, liabilities, superannuation entitlements, and financial resources (such as expected inheritances or compensation payouts) in their respective possession or control. For real estate, a real estate appraisal or formal valuation will likely be necessary.