Services

Going though change can be hard, either when it has been thrust upon you or when it has been considered for some time.

A mediator’s job is about finding common ground and reopening communication channels, even when this may seem like an impossible task.

A mediator is a neutral, unbiased professional who encourages you to talk to each other about the issues at hand, uncovering your deeper concerns. Feeling as though you have the opportunity to be heard is key. Agreements that are fair, workable and sustainable are essential elements to mediation. 

Valerie is not an advocate or decision-maker and encourages you to be actively involved in the process and to design your own outcomes that will both work when you leave the mediation room and be in your children’s best interests. Valerie is also committed to educating clients through the mediation process, so you take home the skills needed to communicate and “mediate” your own future decisions.

Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)

For many families, post-separation is a life crisis that requires a holistic approach to your individual circumstances. Family dispute resolution allows couples or families to have difficult conversations in a safe, calm, future-focused and neutral environment.  It allows separated couples to understand where the misunderstandings or issues are and to help them make their own decisions about how they want to move forward for both parenting arrangements and financial settlements, including the ongoing costs for your family.

Valerie works with all families and their specific needs, including heterosexual, same sex, blended, grandparents and extended families. Multi party mediations can be conducted where everyone’s concerns are raised in a thoughtful and measured way.

Collaborative Coaching

Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice (ICP) is a dispute resolution process in which the clients, their lawyers and coach enter into a contract to resolve a dispute without resorting to litigation. It is ‘law without litigation and mediation with advice’. Valerie would love to speak with you more regarding this process as an alternative to court where there is still a degree of trust and respect and a common agenda for what you wish to achieve going forward. She has seen it work well for families where there are complex issues coupled with a desire to work through them considering the families best interests. You can find out more about Collaborative Practice from Central Sydney Collaborative Forum, of which Valerie is a member http://www.sydneycollablaw.com.au

Family Therapy

.Family Therapy enables family members, couples and others who care about each other to express and explore difficult thoughts and emotions safely, to understand each other's experiences and views, appreciate each other's needs, build on strengths and make useful changes in their relationships and lives. It aims to improve communication, help solve family problems and create a better functioning home environment. Valerie works from a systemic, relational framework grounded in psychoeducation, neurobiology, trauma and grief counselling to offer family therapy across the generations

Child Inclusive Practice

Valerie is a trained provider of child inclusive practice, which provides an opportunity for children to talk independently to the family in a safe, supportive and non-directive environment. This enables parents to gain a valuable insight into how the separation is affecting their children and what their current needs are. With the consent of both parents, the children can then have a voice in the mediation process without direct involvement and is suitable for children generally older than 5 years of age.

Legally Assisted mediation (LAM)

Sometimes it’s important to have legal representation when you sit down to discuss your situation, especially where finances are involved.  Bringing your lawyer to mediation, whether in the same or different room, can be a better and much cheaper alternative to the courtroom.

Workplace and Business Mediation

Mediation can offer an alternative to legal action that is less stressful, cheaper, more efficient and private. This includes business, commercial and workplace disputes, as well as partnership and family differences.

Divorce & Separation Coaching support

Separating can be overwhelming and your lawyer may not be the best person to provide the practical and emotional support you need, even when giving the best legal advice. When doing this without a lawyer, this can be especially challenging. Working though what you need to get through the day, week, month or year can be transformative to how you live the rest of your life. Valerie can help you to find that path at this critical crossroads, such as working to improve communication with your ex, clarify what is best for your children and navigate the best questions to ask your lawyer. When you are overwhelmed, Valerie provides the voice of reason to bring you back to what you want your life to look like in the long term.

Relationship Facilitation

You may be at the precipice of separation and want to understand what it will mean for you and yr family. Some couples wish to understand how to take a break while they decide what are the next steps for their relationship. Others have separated and need help navigating this process. Valerie can help guide you through the emotional, logistical and financial concerns of separation.