Why Choose Garneau Mediation?
Traditionally when people decide to separate or divorce, they hire lawyers and often go to court to resolve their issues. Today, this school of thought is changing. Judges are encouraging mediation as a way for people to resolve their differences when going through the Separation and Divorce process.
We provide a private, time efficient, respectful and affordable alternative for resolving your conflict.
Typically when we first meet with clients, they are not agreeing with one another and are doubtful they will be able to come to an agreement. However, in at least 80% of these cases, mediation is successful! The people we see in mediation do have varying degrees of conflict between them.
On occasion, there is little or no conflict, but they want to get a divorce in a simple and economical manner; others may get along most of the time, but do not see eye-to-eye on a particular issue. Frequently, we see people who are in moderate to high conflict and have little or no communication with one another.
At Garneau Mediation Services, you are given the opportunity to work together to find solutions that can reduce stress for you and your children, improve communication and help you to move on with your lives in a peaceful way.
It is very important that anyone seeking a Mediator should consider the following guidelines when choosing a mediator:
A prospective mediator should be asked about their background, training, experience and areas of specialization.
Michelle Garneau holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Biology from the University of Alberta. Her 17 years in the workforce as a teaching lab technician, a scientific supplies and equipment technical sales representative, and a veterinary technical sales representative has assisted Michelle in developing her communication, negotiation, and training skills.
Michelle completed training through the Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society. This includes skill-based training in mediation and negotiation, as well as specialized training in Separation and Divorce as well as Parenting mediation. Michelle has also has also been trained in relevant aspects of family law, child development, family restructuring and domestic violence. She is a Registered Family Mediator and has successfully mediated over 2000 family mediations.
A prospective mediator should be asked about their affiliation with professional organizations.
Michelle is a member of the following associations and societies:
• Alberta Family Mediation Society (AFMS)
• Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Alberta (ADRIA)
• ADR lnstitute of Canada (ADRIC)
• Family Mediation Canada (FMC)
• Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)
• Academy of Professional Family Mediators (APFM)
A mediator should clearly explain the mediation process, the roles of the mediator and the participants, and assist people in preparing for the mediation.
Michelle will spend time with each person individually in a pre-mediation meeting by phone prior to the mediation. She will describe what will take place during the mediation, explain her role as an impartial third party and your role in the mediation, as well as help you to prepare for the mediation. Michelle will also inform you of any information you will need to bring along to the mediation and provide you with any resources you may need.
The mediator must be impartial and independent with no prior involvement in the conflict.
As a professional mediator, Michelle Garneau will be impartial during the pre-mediation and mediation. She will mediate only in the case that she feels that these standards can be upheld and that she has no prior involvement in the conflict.
A mediator should make sure a Consent to Mediate is drawn up and signed by each of the participants and the mediator prior to the mediation. see glossary
Michelle will provide the people involved in the mediation with a Consent to Mediate. She will explain what this agreement is and answer any questions you may have about the agreement. Mediation is a voluntary process and the agreement is signed only by individuals who agree to take part in the mediation. Participants may have a lawyer review this Consent to Mediate prior to signing it.
A mediator will draw up a Mediated Agreement when an agreement is reached in mediation. The individuals involved in the mediation will be provided with a copy of this agreement. see glossary
Michelle will provide the people involved in the mediation with a Mediated Agreement when an agreement is reached in mediation. She will explain what this agreement is and answer any questions you may have regarding this agreement.