Family Mediation
"Empowering dialogue, fostering harmony"
Family Mediation & Reconciliation
At Nova Psychology, we understand that family relationships can face challenges, and finding a path forward can feel overwhelming. Our therapeutic family mediation services provide a compassionate and structured approach to resolving conflicts, repairing relationships, and fostering reconciliation. Whether you’re navigating parent-teen conflicts, co-parenting struggles, sibling disputes, or estranged family relationships, we are here to help.
Our process begins with an initial virtual screening to assess whether mediation is the right fit for your situation. We focus on ensuring that all parties can engage in a safe, respectful, and productive dialogue—whether in person or virtually.
If mediation is appropriate, we move forward with a main mediation session, typically lasting 3-5 hours. This guided conversation allows family members to express concerns, rebuild trust, and work toward mutually beneficial solutions. The goal is to create a clear, practical, and emotionally-informed agreement that supports healing and long-term resolution.
Our therapeutic mediation approach integrates evidence-based strategies to enhance communication, strengthen relationships, and foster understanding. While not a replacement for legal consultation, we encourage participants to seek independent legal advice as needed to ensure agreements align with relevant legal frameworks.
At Nova Psychology, we are committed to helping families reconnect, rebuild, and move forward with compassion and clarity. Reach out today to learn how our mediation services can support your family’s journey toward healing.
How to BOOK:
Booking a mediation service at Nova Psychology is a simple and straightforward process. To schedule a mediation session, individuals can visit our website or contact our office directly. Our friendly staff will guide you through the booking process, assisting with selecting a convenient date and time for your session. We offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate your needs, whether it’s for a family dispute, workplace conflict, or community issue. Once your mediation session is booked, you’ll receive a confirmation along with any necessary information or preparation guidelines. At Nova Psychology, we prioritize your convenience and aim to make the booking process as seamless as possible, so you can focus on resolving conflicts and achieving positive outcomes.
Mediation is a collaborative and confidential process facilitated by a trained neutral mediator, aimed at resolving conflicts and reaching mutually acceptable agreements. At Nova Psychology, our mediation services provide a structured and supportive environment for individuals, families, and organizations to address disputes effectively and constructively. Through open communication, active listening, and guided negotiations, our experienced mediators help parties explore options, clarify interests, and find common ground. Mediation empowers participants to make informed decisions and work towards sustainable resolutions without the need for costly and time-consuming legal proceedings. Whether it’s addressing interpersonal conflicts, workplace disputes, or family matters, mediation promotes communication, understanding, and positive outcomes for all involved parties.
The mediation process at Nova Psychology is designed to be thorough, structured, and effective in reaching mutually beneficial agreements. Here’s an overview of what you can expect:
1. Initial Consultation (15 minutes over the phone): The process begins with a brief initial consultation over the phone. This allows us to understand your situation, answer any preliminary questions, and determine if mediation is the right approach for you.
2. Mediation Pre-Screening (Approximately 30 minutes with each party): If mediation is deemed suitable, both parties will participate in a pre-screening session. These individual meetings, lasting about 30 minutes each, provide an opportunity to assess the readiness and willingness of each party to engage in mediation. During this phase, we discuss expectations, goals, and the mediation process itself.
3. Mediation Meeting (3-5 hours): The main mediation meeting is the heart of the process, typically lasting between 3 to 5 hours. Led by our skilled mediator, this session involves facilitated discussions, negotiations, and problem-solving aimed at reaching agreements on key issues such as child support, visitation, and asset division.
4. Signing of Agreement (Approximately 30 minutes): Once agreements are reached, a final meeting of approximately 30 minutes is scheduled for the signing of the mediation agreement. This step formalizes the decisions made during the mediation process and ensures clarity and understanding for both parties.
Throughout the entire mediation process, our goal is to create a safe, neutral, and productive environment where both parties can communicate effectively, explore options, and work towards mutually acceptable solutions.
Mediation services are offered at a fixed rate, encompassing all stages of the mediation process from initiation to conclusion. We offer a competitive rate that is highly attractive within the market. Costs will be discussed upon the initial consultation.
The clinical expertise and skills utilized in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment by mental health therapists are invaluable in mediation. Here are several ways having a mental health therapist as a mediator can aid in efficiently and effectively resolving issues:
1. Ensuring All Voices Are Heard: It’s crucial that each party feels listened to during mediation. If any party feels disregarded, it can hinder the resolution process.
2. Facilitating Acceptance of Loss: Addressing and coming to terms with loss is a pivotal step toward finding a compromise in any dispute.
3. Displaying Patience: Mental health therapists, trained in narrative techniques and pacing, exhibit patience, which helps maintain a steady conversation pace and progress.
4. Innovative Problem-Solving: Mental health therapists bring a fresh perspective to mediation, unbound by rigid legal frameworks. This allows them to approach issues creatively and prevent mediation from stalling.
5. Recognizing Trauma’s Impact: Mental health therapists understand how trauma can impact an individual’s ability to communicate their story, fostering empathy and effective communication.
6. Sensitivity to Verbal and Non-Verbal Cues: Mental health therapists are skilled at picking up on nuances in tone, body language, and gestures, enabling them to make adjustments that enhance mediation and keep it on track.
Research indicates that mediation is typically very effective in resolving conflicts, boasting success rates that often fall between 60% and 80%. In Alberta specifically, the success rates are notably high, underscoring the efficacy of mediation as a conflict resolution method.
Dr. Carson Ryner is dedicated to helping families navigate conflict, heal relationships, and rebuild trust through compassionate and effective mediation. As both a mental health specialist and experienced family mediator, he brings a unique depth of understanding to the mediation process, creating a safe and supportive space for families to communicate openly and work toward meaningful resolutions.
With a focus on family reconciliation, co-parenting agreements, parent-teen conflict resolution, and therapeutic mediation, Dr. Ryner guides families through difficult conversations with empathy and expertise. His approach prioritizes respect, collaboration, and long-term healing, helping families find pathways to repair and strengthen their relationships.
Dr. Ryner holds certifications in Conflict Resolution, Critical Incident Debriefing, and Separation Mediation. He is also registered with the Alberta Family Mediation Society and Family Mediation Canada, ensuring that his practice aligns with the highest professional standards.
Whether you’re facing family estrangement, struggling with co-parenting dynamics, or seeking to restore connections, Dr. Ryner’s mediation services at Nova Psychology provide the guidance and support needed to move forward with clarity and hope.