Mediation Services
There are many ways that parties can resolve their conflicts, disagreement and disputes.
- Do you want to handle things without going through an adversarial legal system?
- Do you want to come up with an agreement that meets both parties’ needs?
- Are you tired of having the same conversations, over and over again, and not getting anywhere?
- Want an agreement that both parties are more likely to honor the terms over time?
Then perhaps Mediation is for you. Mediation by a well trained mediator with experience in helping people solve their own conflicts is just one of those routes. Mediation Services at Violet C. Pergel MSW will endeavor to create an atmosphere for mediation in which parties work together to re-examine their positions, creatively explore all options, and develop a mutually acceptable solution.
Getting Separated/Divorce?
Try Family Mediation?
- Need a Parenting Plan?
- Need a Separation/ Divorce Agreement?
- No GST charged!
- Reasonable Rates $200/hour
- May be eligible for insurance reimbursement
- Medical expense under Revenue Canada
Types of Mediation Services Offered
Separation and Divorce Agreements
Family Disputes
Parenting Plans
Post-Divorce Issues
Wills/Estates
Elder Care Disputes
Mediation Services
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What is Mediation
A mediator is a trained neutral third party who assists people in negotiating their own settlements in an informal, private, and co-operative manner without going to court.
The mediator will not make a decision for you but will provide a problem-solving structure that many people have found helpful. The role of the mediator is to facilitate conversation between the two parties. It is not to judge who is wrong or right, give opinion or make decisions. All decisions in the mediation are made by the parties in dispute, as it is believe that they are in the best position to come to an agreement. The purpose of mediation is to help the parties to develop a deeper understanding of each other perspectives, an opportunity to share information, and ask questions in a non-combative environment. In mediation, understanding does not always mean agreement, while other times, it is this understanding that leads to an agreement that mutually satisfies all parties needs and concerns.
This business uses an Interest-Based Model of Mediation. The stages of mediation are: an introduction which including discussing how the parties will talk to each other in mediation, setting an agenda (what issues do you want to resolve in mediation), understanding each other better (by discussing and sharing your needs, concerns and your perspective with each other), which then leads to developing an agreement that will mutually meet both parties needs. The agreement that is reached in Mediation is called a “Memorandum of Understanding” which can be turned into a legal document through either taking the document to a Commissioner of Oaths or to a lawyer to be put into a legal document.
Most participants who use mediation services find that they are able to come to a resolution and believe that their concerns have been dealt with fairly and much more rapidly than if they pursued a judicial decision. Mediated resolutions also appear to be more satisfactory and more durable because they have been developed by the participants themselves and have been agreed upon voluntarily.
We highly recommend obtaining independent legal advice as neither the Business nor the mediator is practicing law. While general legal information may be given from time to time, it is in the best interests of each party to the mediation to be fully appraised of their legal rights so that they negotiate from a fully informed position.
Our fees are reasonable and can be negotiated to adapt to your required needs. The times frames for first mediation meeting, joint mediation meetings and sequential pre-mediations and service mediations have been set reasonably to again allow a win-win relationship (generally in 2 – 3 hours blocks). Our fees for services can be discussed during our initial meeting. GST is not charged for mediation services as it is considered a health services when provided with by a Registered Health Professional. Some insurance companies may reimburse for mediation services when offered by a Registered Health Professional, and as well, the services is a medical expense under Revenue Canada rules.
Training and Qualifications in Mediation and Alternative Depute Resolution
The Mediator is a Registered Clinical Social Worker, Practicing Family Mediator (Alberta Family Mediation Society) and a Qualified Mediator (ADR Canada). The Mediator has worked as a therapist for over 17 years, with the major of my time spent in Community Mental Health Clinics. She opened my private practice in 2005; sees children, teens, adults, families, couples, groups and businesses; and is one of the few companies in Medicine Hat that provides a wide range of services to her clients under one roof. Her private practice offers a variety of services including Child Specialist, Mediation, Psychotherapy, Play Therapy, Parenting Skills raining, Parent Co-ordination, and Personal skills Development.
For an Overview of Services provided in this private practice, please click on this link.
The Mediator has extensive experience working with individuals in conflict. She regularly teach collaborative problem solving skills to my clients. She formally expanded my private practice to include Mediation in 2009.
The mediator was first trained in Mediation in 1990/1991 when she did a practicum as a Volunteer Co-ordinator in the Community Mediation Services Program at Community Justice Initiatives in Waterloo, Ontario. In the last three years, she decided to upgrade her mediator training and has taken over 300 of training in Mediation. She has a Certificate Program in Conflict Management from Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society, specific training in Divorce and Separation Mediation, as well as training in the management of high conflict individuals.
The Mediator has have been a member of the Medicine Hat Civil Court Mediation Program since January 2011.
Violet has the following designations:
- Registered Clinical Social Worker
- Registered Family Mediator (Specialty: Separation and Divorce, Parenting)
- Registered Parent Coordinator and Arbitration (Alberta Family Mediation Society
- Chartered Mediator (ADR Canada)
Questions and Comments
If you have any questions about the process, please contact Violet.
For information on types of Mediation done in this practice, please click here to go to the top of the page.
Civil Court Mediation Program Since January 2011
Alberta Justice: Family Mediation Program Since September 2013
If you have any questions about the process please contact Violet at (403) 580-6990, and she will be happy to answer any questions you have about the process.
For information on types of Mediation done in this practice, please click on Types of Mediation Services.