Teen-Family-School Mediation
Teen-family-school mediation helps young adults (12-18), their parents/caregivers, and educators to positively resolve their conflicts and address problematic psychosocial and communicative issues. In so doing, new skills are learned to prevent and manage future issues. The mediator facilitates a process that provides a safe 'container' where open discussion of needs, feelings and thoughts can be shared - and all parties can have the absolutely essential experience of being heard. The mediator is not a decision-maker, but instead helps the student, family and school generate their own solutions. As well, the mediator may generate content/resource expertise to assist the parties.
Through supporting all involved to really listen (the mediator may serve as a 'coach' in this regard), the process builds trust, cooperation, and communication. In this environment, many problems may be experienced in a new light and creative solutions become evident.
The basic idea is that family members and educators are the absolute experts about a host of issues, and are fully capable of taking responsibility, with the mediator's process guidance, for solving a multitude of problems. The outcome of this totally voluntary process can be a strengthened and revitalized family-school axis with significant benefits.
Examples of issues successfully addressed in Teen-family-school mediation include:
- Discipline
- Curfew
- Drugs/Alcohol/Smoking
- Chores
- House Rules/Responsibilities
- Dating/Sex
- Friend/Peer Choices
- School/Attendance/Grades
- Sibling Relationships
- Communication
- Trust
- Religion
- Foster/Step-Parent Issues