Questions and Responses

While some states require certification of mediators, others do not. In Colorado, the Colorado Council of Mediators and Mediation Organizations has set forth guidelines for the education and training of mediators, but certification is not required. I recommend that you consult the professional organization of mediators for your state to ascertain the requirements you must meet to practice as a mediator in your state. In any state, I recommend that you take a good 40 hour training program in an area, such as divorce and child custody, in which you would like to practice. You should also explore volunteer and internship opportunities. Additionally, many universities offer programs in dispute resolution.

There are many skills that will benefit a mediator. If you are interested in mediating legal disputes, I suggest a law degree and experience working in the field in which you intend to do mediation work. Counseling training is also invaluable. Counselors learn listing and contact skills and are trained to understand the psychological dynamics between people. A good mediator needs to understand both the technical subject matter of the dispute and the energetics going on with the disputants.

My suggestion is that you focus on one or more areas of mediation which interest you. Then determine the subject matter training that you will need. Mediation training is necessary, as is mediation practice. There are volunteer mediator positions available in many local and state courts. Don’t leave out the counseling component. Insights gained through counseling training and practice enable the mediator to move the process forward when the parties are stuck in some emotional mire that has nothing to do with the issues being mediated but has everything to do with the person’s ability to successfully stay in the process.