BECOME A MEDIATOR

30-Hour Mediation training

Become a skilled mediator through MetroWest Mediation Services' 30-hour mediation training. 

MetroWest Mediation Services’ (MWMS) course is designed to train 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. 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.

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October 2020 Training

Thank you to the participants in the October 2020 Training. We had a great group of 20 participants with backgrounds including education, non-profits, human resources, law, and business. We had a great time working with you over the 5 days of the training!

Testimonials from recent training:

“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.”

“I have enjoyed it tremendously- lots of things to re-learn but I am finding many, many applications daily! Thank you for an enjoyable training!”

“I was just chatting [with another participant] about how amazing this training was and how much we took away from it. You have a great team and really everyone was very helpful.”

“I found myself in [a] contentious meeting… I decided to make a conscious effort to apply what I had been learning and role playing with you and your awesome team of trainers. I reframed, summarized, and listened AND most importantly, perhaps significantly, I allowed the parties to determine their solutions. It was truly an AHA moment! The meeting was productive and by actively listening and summarizing, and perhaps a BATNA tossed in, a solution was generated that they both could live with. I truly learned a tremendous skill set in the training and find that I am applying many of the skills daily, an interesting application of mediation outside of court!”

BECOME A MEDIATOR

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.

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

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

• 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

Is this the right training for me?

MWMS’ 30-hour 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.

Common backgrounds of participants:

• Community leaders, retirees

• Human resource professionals, managers

• Social workers, mental health providers, non-profit staff

• Attorneys, paralegals, court employees

• Educators, administrators

Feedback from Previous trainings

“Thank you so much for providing this excellent Mediation Training! I enjoyed learning about the skills necessary to become a good mediator, like how to improve my listening skills, how to stay neutral during the process, and how to assist the parties in reaching their own decisions on a settlement."

“The course exceed my expectations. The design and delivery are top notch, and I have a new level of skill as a listener, coach, and facilitator.”

"The course was well designed, and helped me understand much more about myself and the process.”

“The training staff could not be better; I feel I was able to ‘trust the process’ because I had faith and confidence in the quality of the training staff.”

“I thought the intellectual quality of the presentations was first rate.

“The team teaching environment kept the sessions exciting and fast paced.”

“Thank you—the course and trainers were excellent!”

TRAINING TEAM

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.)  

A Participant's Personal Story on Applying the Mediation Skills

"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!" [Read the full story]

Additional Information:

• Register with a friend and each receive a 10% discount. Contact us to learn more.

• Participants can apply for the Carol Bronder Scholarship to defray costs of the training.

• Cancellation policy: Full refund minus a $35 administrative fee for cancellations prior to 2 weeks before the training. Cancellations within 2 weeks of the training will only be refunded, minus the administrative fee, if the spot is filled.

Questions?

We are happy to answer any questions you have about the training - please contact us.