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Mediating with hurt and angry parents
Move them towards building a positive parenting relationship!
About this session Mediators often debate the benefits and disadvantages of allowing parties to ‘vent’ emotions. Kathy and Charlotte, as experienced Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners, contend that allowing parents to vent to each other is generally counter productive to achieving the best outcomes for children. They have developed interventions that aim to defuse the negative emotions associated with the conflict and move parents to a ‘higher’ level, away from a reactive response. The new focus is what brings peace and safety for their children. The techniques are used individually, to prepare parents for mediation, as well as during mediation in both private and joint sessions. Kathy will draw on her research into the impact of emotion on mediation, a component of her research for Masters Dispute Resolution, UTS. Charlotte brings material from her Mindful Self programme on shared characteristics of the mind, along with tools for owning your own emotions. This workshop will begin with a 25 minute presentation outlining:
This presentation will be followed by small group work around 4 case studies. Participants will experience and discuss application of the suggested techniques to parents in their case study. They will also be given time to input ideas from their own practise and outline any challenges in using the techniques. The workshop will conclude with plenum; feedback to the whole group allowing participants a short de-brief and opportunity to share with the larger group. Podcast: Listen to Kathy and Charlotte talk about their sessions (6 mins) >> |
Charlotte Thaarup-Owen
I have spent over 15 years facilitating all aspects of personal and interpersonal development and believe passionately that the most important ‘tool’ we have in our practice is ourselves, our presence, our ability to connect and our intuition. The learnt skills and tools of our profession are underpinned by who we are. Kathy and I are colleagues at the Family Relationship Centre where we enjoy a buzzing mix of client contact, mediations, discussions, learnings and reflections. Outside my work at the Family Relationship Centre I have my own business Creative Transformations: www.creativetransformations.com.au On most days I see my work as a privilege "There is nothing like being able to contribute positively to people's lives." |
Kathy Tetu
Before my mediation career, I worked for 12 years in teaching and training people in workplace communication and conflict management. The move to directly facilitating more effective communication with people in conflict was a natural progression. I began my mediation work on a contractual basis with Legal Aid in 2000 and also worked with young offenders under the Youth Justice Conferencing program. In 2006, I put a focus on expanding my consultancy and moved to Newcastle. It’s been a positive direction and I find now doing a combination of work with families and workplace clients is a good balance.
I work part time at the Newcastle Family Relationship Centre and love working with a great team of skilled professional colleagues. I also enjoy my contractual work with organisations and workplaces. I’ve done quite a lot of education and professional development over the years. This has helped to inspire me to develop my practise and certainly reinforces the challenges and growth possible in the fascinating field of mediation.
See Kathy’s website at www.cmmservices.com.au
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