MY APPROACH

The core principal of Valerie’s approach to conflict resolution is that no one is better able to resolve a dispute or transform a situation than those living with the problem. Valerie creates a safe, supportive and confidential environment for individuals or organizations to work through their conflict together; challenging, supporting and guiding participants to take responsibility for the process and communicate openly to develop and design a lasting result that works. The process is confidential, cost-effective and flexible – designed to meet the specific needs of each participant, couple or organization.

Each process is uniquely designed by the participants in concert with the mediator or collaborative professionals to accomplish the participants’ specific goals. When appropriate, the participants may bring experts or counsel directly into the mediation or process.  

Within any mediation or collaborative process, the participants gain a deeper understanding of their own and each other’s viewpoints, needs and interests and the realities that they face. The process also ensures that the participants understand the legal, practical and business implications of their decisions while exploring creative options that may be independent of the legal parameters, as may suit the needs, interests and choices of the participants.

The benefits of this approach have been shown to include not only a lasting resolution to an immediate issue, but the development of communication and conflict management tools and techniques which can be used to support the individuals or organization into the future.