Join the 30-Hour Mediation Training

The mediation training is designed for anyone interested in learning to
constructively deal with conflicts that arise in their personal and professional lives.

“Thank you all for such a robust, challenging and fun training. This was the best virtual training I have ever participated in. The pace and content were excellent — not to mention the talented team that hosted all of us with such patience. The role plays were thoughtful and experiential learning is where it’s at! I appreciated the lack of an overly strong theoretical approach and the utilization of real-life tools/tactics. With immense gratitude for all of your individual and collective contributions — thank you. ”

This training is ideal if:

  • You are looking to be better equipped to handle conflict

  • You want to apply mediation skills to your current job or personal relationships

  • You want to enter a career in mediation

  • You seek to volunteer as a mediator with MetroWest Mediation Services or another mediation provider

Through the training you will:

  • Develop proficiency in the facilitative model of mediation, in which you help empower parties to resolve their disputes

  • Explore a new perspective of conflict as an opportunity for change

  • Become a more effective listener through active listening skills such as the Listening Triangle

  • Learn to manage the mediation process and deal with challenging parties

  • Gain advanced mediation skills such as re-framing, identifying interests, and using neutral language

  • Practice your skills in a series of simulated mediations and exercises

  • Acquire the knowledge and experience that meets the Massachusetts Trial Court guidelines for mediators, including the confidentiality statute

Common backgrounds of participants:

  • Community leaders, retirees

  • Human resource professionals, managers

  • Social workers, mental health providers, non-profit staff (Course qualifies for Social Worker Continuing Education)

  • Attorneys, paralegals, court employees

  • Educators, administrators (Course approved for 30 PDPs for Massachusetts Educators)

“I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the program. I went into it thinking that I’d get a few tips and tricks, given that I mediate in many ways on a daily basis, but wow….. I was wrong. It was so awesome to learn new skills and build a new muscle so to speak. While I have no aspiration in doing court mediation (at this point anyway), the skills that I walked away with will not only help me in my professional role, but my personal one as well. This has had such a positive impact.”
30-Hour Virtual Mediation Training
$895.00

Dates:
Please join us at one of the following upcoming sessions for the 5-day mediation training:

  • January 26, 28, 30, February 2 & 4, 2026

  • July 13, 15, 17, 20 & 22, 2026

  • September 28, 30, October 2, 5 & 7, 2026

Hours: 8:30am - 3:30pm (EST) each day

Location: Virtual - Held on Zoom

Cost: $895

More Information:

Trainings typically fill up around a month prior to the start of the training. We encourage you to sign up early if you are interested in attending!

“I just wanted to thank you again for the terrific mediation training you worked so hard to successfully orchestrate. Hats off to you three for such a high quality, creatively executed program. We couldn’t have asked for better instructors. The five days exceeded my expectations and gave me new tools to apply and much food for thought.”

TRAINING CONTENT

Our 30-hour training prepares you to mediate through a variety of methodologies including role-plays based on actual case-studies, simulated mediations, lectures and discussion.

Topics included in this training:

  • The Alternative Dispute Resolution Spectrum

  • The Five Styles of Dealing with Conflict

  • The Principles of Mediation

  • Mediation Models and the Facilitative Process

  • Positions and Interests

  • Overcoming Impasse

  • Negotiating Agreement

  • Critical Issues in Mediation: Ethical Dilemmas, Power Imbalance, Cultural Differences, and Bias Awareness

In this interactive training, you will learn to mediate through:

  • Presentations by experienced mediators

  • Mediation demonstrations

  • Video of an actual mediation

  • 8 mediation simulations (roleplays) in which you will gain experience as a mediator and party in a conflict situation

  • Partner/group exercises and discussions

“You guys were awesome, and your passion/enthusiasm shows. The Zoom format and the curriculum pace was done just right. The whole program totally exceeded my expectations, and I got a great deal out of participating. The cohort you put together was really fun to work and learn with.”

Daily Training Curriculum

  • Learning Outcomes:

    Participants will understand the role of the mediator as a neutral facilitator, become familiar with the stages of a mediation, and explore their own perspectives on conflict. They will begin developing foundational communication tools and prepare to participate in structured roleplays.

    Focus Areas:

    • Core values and principles of mediation

    • Understanding mediation within the broader field of dispute resolution

    • Introduction to the mediation process and mediator roles

    • Early practice in neutrality, presence, and communication

  • Learning Outcomes:

    Participants will learn to help parties clarify what matters most to them and move beyond stated demands. They will develop deeper listening skills, learn how to structure private sessions, and begin practicing techniques to foster understanding while remaining impartial.

    Focus Areas:

    • Distinguishing between positions and interests in conflict

    • Introduction to private sessions and strategic mediator planning

    • Developing active listening skills

    • Understanding the importance of remaining impartial and not giving advice 

  • Learning Outcomes:
    Participants will gain confidence addressing difficult interpersonal dynamics in mediation, including emotional outbursts or avoidance. They will strengthen their ability to translate negative or positional language into values-based, solution-oriented communication as well as check in to ensure that agreements are sustainable. The day also emphasizes the importance of the mediator’s own self-awareness and equity in mediation practice.

    Focus Areas:

    • Responding to strong emotions with empathy and neutrality

    • Reframing conflict language into constructive dialogue

    • Developing awareness of implicit bias and cultural assumptions

    • Using open-ended questions to move mediation processes along as well as in reality testing 

  • Learning Outcomes:

    Participants will deepen their ability to guide parties toward workable outcomes, even in emotionally charged or logistically difficult situations. They will learn how to write enforceable agreements in the parties' own words and practice advanced strategies for resolving impasses and transmitting information neutrally.


    Focus Areas:

    • Supporting collaborative problem-solving and option generation

    • Helping parties make realistic, informed decisions

    • Structuring clear, neutral, and complete written agreements

    • Managing silence, withdrawal, and emotionally complex dynamics

  • Learning Outcomes:

    Participants will develop a working understanding of ethical dilemmas in mediation, consider how to measure success beyond outcomes, and demonstrate the ability to mediate a case from start to finish. The training concludes with a discussion of the practicum process and next steps toward becoming a volunteer or court-affiliated mediator.


    Focus Areas:

    • Ethical responsibilities under Massachusetts Rule 9

    • Reflecting on success in mediation beyond agreement

    • Reflecting on learning from the full training

“I highly recommend it, not only to those interested in becoming a mediator but to anyone who manages other people or seeks to resolve disputes (professional or personal)”

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why should I take the mediation training through MetroWest Mediation?

    MetroWest Mediation is one of the most active mediation programs in Massachusetts, mediating hundreds of cases per year in the community and the 8 courts we serve. Our staff and mediators serve as the trainers and coaches - sharing their extensive experience and skills with you. You can have the confidence you’re in good hands as you begin your mediation journey. We also pride ourselves on being caring, helpful instructors - encouraging participants to try new things, make mistakes, and have fun in the learning process.

  • How many people are in each training?

    There are typically around 25 participants in each training.

  • How do I serve as a volunteer mediator after the training?
    Participants who want to serve as a volunteer mediator with MetroWest Mediation Services apply to the practicum after the training. The practicum is a series of supervised observations and co-mediations in court with an experienced mediator. The practicum provides an opportunity for participants to experience actual mediations in a court setting and receive mentorship to improve skills and ability as a mediator. We typically accept around 3-5 people to the practicum program each year. Preference is given to those who have completed the MetroWest Mediation training (as opposed to those who have done the training at another center.)  

  • I’m not an attorney - will I be out of place at this training?
    No! Only around 1/3 of each cohort are attorneys. The other participants come from a variety of backgrounds and are taking the training for both personal and professional advancement.

  • Will this training immediately prepare me for a job in the field of mediation?

    This is the foundational mediation training offered in Massachusetts. While completing this training can set you apart in applying for some jobs, many positions in the field mediation requires additional training or experience. We’d be happy to speak with you more about your personal situation and how this training might fit into your career goals.

  • How does an online training compare to an in-person training?

    MetroWest Mediation has offered a fully online mediation training for over 5 years and we are confident that the training is as effective and engaging as the in-person training. In fact, since many mediations are now conducted online, it can be a benefit to practice mediation in the virtual space. Our training is all on Zoom giving you the convenience to take the training from any location.

  • What will it be like to be on Zoom for 5 days?

    Surprisingly - it will be fun and engaging! Some of the most common feedback we receive after the training is that it “felt like it flew by.” The training is highly interactive through roleplays, group discussions, partner activities, and demonstrations. The best way to learn is through doing and you will be engaged throughout the training.

    If you have additional questions, please contact us and we’d be happy to answer them!

“This training has been a game-changer (life-changer). Much to think about. I appreciate everyone’s willingness to share and make mistakes with me!! Thank you, everyone!”
 
30-Hour Virtual Mediation Training
$895.00
 
 

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