BECOME A MEDIATOR
30-Hour Mediation Training
MWMS’s 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.
MWMS’ mediation training is designed for anyone interested in learning to constructively deal with conflicts that arise in their personal and professional lives. This includes people who want to apply mediation skills to their current jobs and those looking to enter a career in mediation. Others take the training so that they can volunteer as a mediator with MetroWest Mediation Services.
Become a skilled mediator through MetroWest Mediation Services' 30-hour mediation training.
This course trains individuals from a variety of backgrounds including business, education, law, and social services, who want to become effective mediators and skilled facilitators of the mediation process. Over five interactive training days, participants learn mediation techniques through role-plays, demonstrations and group exercises, and build essential skills like active listening, reframing, and identifying interests. The training meets the requirements outlined in the Massachusetts Confidentiality Statute (MGL ch233 sec 23C) and Rule 8(c)(i) of the MA Supreme Judicial Court’s Uniform Rules on Dispute Resolution.
View a recording of a webinar to learn more about the training
Course approved for 30 PDPs for Massachusetts Educators
Contact to learn about group rates.
Bronder Scholarship - Needs based support to attend training
DATES
Please join us at one of the following upcoming sessions for the 5-day, 30-hour mediation training:
Hours: 8:30am - 3:30pm (EST) each day
Location: Virtual - Held on Zoom
Cost: $895
SESSION 1
January 26, 28, 30, February 2 & 4, 2026
SESSION 2
July 13, 15, 17, 20 & 22, 2026
SESSION 3
October 19, 21, 23, 26 & 28, 2026
BECOMING A MEDIATOR
Common backgrounds of participants:
Community leaders, retirees
Human resource professionals, managers
(Course qualifies for SHRM credit)Social workers, mental health providers, non-profit staff
Attorneys, paralegals, court employees
Educators, administrators
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
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
Mediation Skills Training – Curriculum Guide
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
In this interactive training, you will learn to mediate through:
Presentations by experienced mediators
2 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
TESTIMONIALS FROM A RECENT TRAINING
““My two sons, who had been attentively listening to my end of the phone conversation, jumped off the couch to congratulate me on successfully using my active listening skills! I was amazed at how well the situation resolved and grateful to put my recent mediation training to such good use!” ”
How do I serve as a mediator after the training?
Participants who want to serve as a volunteer mediator with MetroWest Mediation Services apply to the practicum program after the training. The practicum program 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.)
Interested but not ready to sign up yet?
Fill out your information to be added to our mailing list for future training dates.
Questions?
We are happy to answer any questions you have about the training - please contact us.