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.
Dates:
We are offering 3 mediation trainings in 2024:
Training 1 - January 22, 24, 26, 29 & 31
Training 2 - July 15, 17, 19, 22 & 24
Training 3 - October 28, 30, November 1, 4 & 6
Hours: 8:30am - 3:30pm (EST) each day
Location: Virtual - Held on Zoom
Cost: $875
View a recording of a webinar to learn more about the training
Course approved for 30 PDPs for Massachusetts Educators
Register with a friend and receive 10% off each application. Contact us to register for more than one person.
Bronder Scholarship - Needs based support to attend training
Click here to be added to our notification list for future trainings.
Testimonials from recent training:
““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. I am going to send my AVP and my Director to a future session as well.””
““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.””
““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.””
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.
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.
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
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
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.)
““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!” ”
Interested but not ready to sign up yet?
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