Creative Mediation
Mediation is a confidential, cost-effective, and convenient approach to resolving conflict.
Our voluntary and informal dispute resolution process involves an impartial third-party mediator who facilitates a productive and effective conversation. Mediators provide a neutral forum to help those in conflict reduce the barriers to communication and talk freely and openly. The mediator helps to define and clarify issues and provides opportunities to break through impasse. Our mediators facilitate negotiation without recommending solutions or determining the outcome. Decision-making authority always rests with the parties themselves.
Mediation allows both sides to design solutions that reflect their specific needs and interests. It improves relationships by allowing people to express their differences constructively, providing the opportunity for new perspectives and mutual understanding.
The benefits of choosing mediation.
There are great benefits to choosing mediation as your alternative method of dispute. Mediation is a voluntary, confidential, impartial, collaborative, and empowering process.
Voluntary
You choose to participate in this solution-focused process.
Confidential
Mediation is confidential according to California state law.
Impartial
The mediator will not decide who is right, give legal advice, or recommend solutions.
Collaborative
The mediator helps everyone work together to solve problems and reach the best solution.
Empowering
You have complete decision-making power and control over every provision of any mediated agreement. Nothing can be imposed upon you.
Types of Creative Mediation
Community Mediation
Community mediation describes a variety of mediation services to help San Luis Obispo County residents resolve a wide range of disputes, including: landlord/tenant, neighbor/neighbor, roommate, small business, HOA, consumer/merchant, and more.
Community mediation is meant to help you become unstuck from the familiar conflicts of everyday life, by helping both parties design solutions that meet their needs.
Call us to get started 805.549.0442
Small Claims Mediation
Often times, community cases end up in Small Claims Court. Small Claims court is a cost-free mediation service available to all small claims court litigants. As a litigant, you can mediate prior to your court date, or at the courthouse the day of your trial.
Small Claims Court Mediation is meant to help you navigate conflict to find creative solutions that may better fit your needs than the legal system can provide. Let us help you find a solution that matters.
Call us to get started 805.549.0442
Specialized Mediation
Mediation is a confidential, cost-effective, and convenient approach to resolving conflict. Our mediation, facilitation and training programs serve all sectors of the community, including business, education, government, individuals, and families. Our staff and volunteers are trained, experienced and impartial mediators who offer dispute resolution services for nearly all situations. We offer specialized mediation and facilitation services for complex situations that require a mediator with specific experience and training.
E-mail us at info@creativemediation.net to learn more about our fees and approach to the following types of cases:
- Civil cases of $10,000 or more
- Workplace Conflict
- Elder and Family
- Multi-Party or Complex Issues
- Co-Parenting
- Parent/Teen
Juvenile Dependency Mediation
Established in 2005 in partnership with San Luis Obispo County’s Department of Social Services, this program offers a safe, neutral and effective forum for parents, social workers, and attorneys to work together toward the best interests of the children involved in the Juvenile Dependency system. Referrals are made by Child Welfare Services and the Juvenile Dependency Court.
Parent/Teen Mediation
These services offer parents and teens the opportunity to focus on specific areas of conflict within the home and come up with a plan on how to address these issues. Examples of topics include: curfew times, truancy, teen needs and interests, boundaries, and clear expectations on both sides.
Elder Family Mediation
We offer a variety of coaching and conflict resolution services for families grappling with decisions surrounding the care of an elder family member.
Peer Mediation and Peace Helping Programs
Creative Mediation provides customized conflict resolution programs for local elementary school students. These programs equip students with the skills needed to prevent and quickly resolve disputes in order to create a safer and more productive campus environment. Students who participate are able to identify problems, clearly communicate their own perspective, use active listening skills to understand the perspective of others, and choose effective solutions.
Restorative Dialogue Program
In partnership with San Luis Obispo County’s Probation Department, this program was created to reduce recidivism, encourage accountability of youth offenders, and restore relationships. Requests for services can be made by juvenile probation officers and include Victim Offender Dialogue, Parent Teen Mediation, and Youth Conflict Mediation.
SLO Solutions
SLO Solutions offers free conflict resolution services to all City of San Luis Obispo residents, funded by a partnership between the City of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly, Cuesta College, and Creative Mediation. SLO Solutions provides help for conflicts surrounding: Noise, Parking, Trash, Parties, Trees, Security Deposits, Lease Agreements, Communication & Expectations, Roommates. San Luis Obispo residents may receive Conflict Coaching, Mediation, and Communication and Conflict Resolution Workshops. Call us at (805) 549-0442 to learn more about our services and how they can benefit you.