If you are looking for a mediation service, you are most likely already in a stressful situation. You want to resolve your conflict in a positive way, but you're at the end of your own resources and you know you need some expert support, guidance and perspective. You're at a vulnerable moment in your life but you're afraid if you engage a lawyer you'll turn a resolvable conflict into an all-out fight. If this sounds like you, one phone call with Mike McConnell of Reflective Mediation will ease your fears and help you map out a path towards a peaceful resolution you can be proud of.
Mike was referred to me in late 2019 by a local divorce coach to help work out the details of a particularly complex separation involving two countries, children with extra needs and a jointly owned business. I did not want to involve a lawyer in the early stages of negotiations, as I was hopeful that we could avoid a damaging legal battle by communicating clearly and working for a 'win-win' resolution. What I needed was a level, compassionate guide who would be able to inform us of general practice and basic legal requirements yet help find more creative solutions to some of our unique challenges - all while maintaining a respectful, safe environment for the hours of discussion that were needed to come to a workable agreement, despite vast personality and value differences between the parties.
In Mike and his fantastic intern Christine, I found what I was looking for from the first intake phone call to the follow up support months later after our agreement was signed. They were friendly and accommodating, even travelling to our homes in order to maximise our discussion time. Immediately on the first session the tone of respect was set and the rules of engagement were made clear. Intelligent questions were asked, and space for each party to answer and express their view was provided (insisted upon when necessary). Deviation from the general tone of respect was not tolerated and Mike and Christine often diffused tense moments with humour and warmth.
They were always easy to reach and communicate with, they were flexible and timely with their scheduling and their fee structure was clear, fair and more than reasonable, particularly when compared with the $800+/hr it would have cost to have these discussions in the presence of two lawyers (a savings of up to 75%, which can make all the difference when finances are already a source of stress) - and that's before court costs.
Mike and Christine were able to offer helpful suggestions, give examples of how other parties had solved similar stalemates, and table compromises when they saw the possibility of bridging a gap. They also ensured that there were no miscommunications or misunderstandings, both by reflecting back each party's view to ensure it was understood correctly in the moment, and then by following up after each session with detailed notes for our reference.
Mike and Christine didn't take sides or push agendas, but were constantly redirecting us to consider the best interests of our children and encouraging generosity, kindness and compassion towards the other party - certainly not something battling lawyers are trained or even trying to provide. In the end they provided us with a completed draft agreement we could take to our legal counsel to turn into a legal separation agreement at minimal extra cost.
Expert, solutions-focused, affordable mediation IS out there - Let Mike help you start your journey towards a peaceful resolution today. read more
