When you think of phone mediation, you probably imagine a couple of people sitting at a table in a conference room while the mediator listens to their arguments. However, phone mediation is more than just a conversation between two people. Instead, it is a process that uses technology to connect two people who cannot meet in person or speak face-to-face. This type of mediation is also known as remote mediation, virtual mediation, or mediation by phone. Whether you’ve been referred to mediation as a couple seeking to end their relationship, or as parents in a custody dispute, mediation is a great option for resolving disputes outside of court. However, like all forms of mediation, phone mediation comes with its own set of challenges. Here are some things you should know before you decide to use phone mediation as a way to resolve your dispute:
The main goal of phone mediation is to facilitate communication between parties who cannot meet in person or speak face-to-face. This can be helpful in resolving disputes such as divorce, child custody and parenting time, or workplace disputes. When you use phone mediation, you are likely to have more control over the conversation and be able to ask questions and give input more freely than you would in in-person mediation. If you are hoping to settle your dispute, you may want to use phone mediation as a first step toward mediation. If you are hoping to reach a settlement, you may want to use phone mediation to help you find common ground so that you can continue the conversation in person.
There are a few reasons why there might be a preference for phone mediation. For example, if you have an acrimonious divorce, you may want to use phone mediation to keep the process private. If you are in a custody dispute with a history of domestic violence, you may want to use phone mediation so that your children are not exposed to the same violence. If you have a child with special needs, you may want to use phone mediation because it is easier for your child to participate.
The biggest challenge of phone mediation is that the mediator cannot see the parties. This means that the mediator cannot see nonverbal communication, such as gestures and expressions, which can be an important part of mediation. It can also be harder for people to fully open up in a phone mediation session compared to an in-person mediation session. This can make it more difficult to identify what the root cause of the dispute is. Another challenge of phone mediation is that the mediator cannot see the parties’ body language. This can make it harder for the parties to communicate their feelings and emotions.
While phone mediation has many benefits, it also comes with its own set of challenges. If you are hoping to settle your dispute, you may want to use phone mediation as a first step toward mediation. If you are hoping to reach a settlement, you may want to use phone mediation to help you find common ground so that you can continue the conversation in person.