Models and Approaches of Mediation

Models are "specific ways or methodologies for doing mediation that rest on two basic elements: the practitioner's central beliefs and the practitioner's theoretical base… they are organized collections of thoughts that guide and inform and usually summarize the practitioner's ideal or best practices." (The Handbook of Family Dispute Resolution, Taylor, p. 106) Mediators tend to become aligned with one or more of the following models that guide their practice and inform their work:

1. Stage Theory Models

This model defines mediation as a series of steps, which flow in a linear fashion from beginning to end. The mediator, in this model, acts as a facilitator, ensuring the steps are taken and all tasks associated with the steps are accomplished by the parties.

2. Problem-Solving and Negotiative Approaches

This approach was adapted from the community mediation models used in the 1970s and 1980s and directs the mediator to determine the issues and problems in a case and provide logical problem-solving techniques to either solve or manage the dispute. There are not clearly defined stages in this process, simply defined issues with solutions crafted for each issue.

3. Procedural Models

These models are somewhat similar to problem-solving models; however, they add the adherence to strict rules to achieve the desired outcome.

4. Therapeutic Models

The background and training of family therapy is often brought into these models of family mediation. Therapeutic models are centered on the basic belief that the individual and the family unit must make a personal or systems change before they can effectively make an enduring agreement. (Taylor,p. 120) A strength of this model is its assumption that each family has different needs; therefore, mediation needs to be flexible and comprehensive in order to meet the many diverse needs of clients.

5. Transformative Approaches

Transformative approaches to mediation came out of a recognition and criticism of the problem solving and procedural models. The central goal of a transformative approach is the fostering of empowerment and recognition (strengthening the self and relating to others).  In transformative mediation the process emphasizes the parties' understanding of their relationship, the history of their actions and the reasons for those actions.  The focus is not on working towards an agreement per se, but on fully understanding each other and the situation such that an agreement can be easily reached or even become unnecessary. 

6. Narrative Mediation Models

Narrative mediation shares the transformative stance of promoting change, not simply agreements. However, it is based on an entirely different premise: the mediator is not an expert who does something for the parties but a co-creator who does something with the parties. The major task of the mediator in the narrative model is to help the parties articulate a dialogue of the story of their conflict.