Separation and divorce and the accompanying legal proceedings often involve complex emotions, difficult conversations, as well as financial strain.
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Mediation offers a different path that focuses on collaboration rather than conflict. It supports open discussion, problem-solving, and helps parents work toward practical, mutually acceptable solutions.
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This approach can also strengthen the foundation for your ongoing co-parenting relationship, especially as new challenges arise over time.
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Mediation is faster and less expensive than traditional legal processes.​
It is also private and confidential, with a flexible approach that can be tailored to your family's unique needs. By encouraging cooperation and improving communication, mediation supports more sustainable, child-focused outcomes.
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At it's core, mediation keeps the focus where it matters most: on creating stability and positive outcomes for your children.
Mediation for Parenting Plans Process
When parent separate, they are required to make important decisions about how their children will be cared for moving forward. These decisions are typically outlined in a parenting plan. A parenting plan may include:
How parenting time is shared
Communication between parents
Decision - making responsibilities
Schedules, holidays, and transitions
Guidelines for handling future changes or disagreements
Working with an accredited family mediator is an option for parents who want to stay out of court and approach separation in a more cooperative way. With the support of a neutral third party, conversations can remain respectful, focused, and productive—helping you move forward while keeping your child(ren)’s wellbeing at the centre.
Our goal is to help you navigate disagreements in a way that reduces conflict and supports healthier long-term communication.
Your mediator’s role is to keep conversations constructive and on track, provide general information about the legal side of separation, and help you clearly outline the agreements you reach together. By the end of the process, you’ll have a written summary of your decisions, practical solutions that feel fair and workable for both people, keeping the wellbeing of any children at the centre. the summary can be reviewed by a lawyer and formalized into a legally binding agreement if you choose.
Separation can be an emotional and overwhelming experience. Family mediation is designed to ease some of that strain by offering a supportive space where both individuals can work through the process with greater understanding and respect.
With the guidance of a trained, neutral mediator, you and your former partner are supported in having productive conversations and making decisions together about the many aspects of your separation—from finances and property to parenting and childcare.
Through this process, you’ll work collaboratively to create an agreement that feels balanced, realistic, and sustainable for both of you. By the end, you’ll have a clear and thoughtful plan in place to help you move forward with confidence.”
How Does Mediation Work?
Mediation is a structured process guided by a neutral and impartial professional. The mediator does not take sides or make decisions, but instead facilities productive conversation. During mediation you will:
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The process is designed to keep discussions focused, respectful, and forward-looking.
Is Mediation Right for You?
Mediation may be a good fit for co-parents who are:
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willing to collaborate, working together to reach a shared solution
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willing and ready to consider the other party's positions and needs
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in search of a more cost-effective, expedited, less adversarial process than going to court.
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Throughout the mediation process, family mediators maintain impartial and refrain from taking sides. They are there to offer solutions and assist all parties in coming to a resolution.
Why Choose Mediation With a Social Worker?
Mediation can be facilitated by a range of trained professionals, including social workers, lawyers, psychologists, and accredited family mediators, all of whom bring different areas of expertise to the process. While all are qualified to guide discussions and help reach agreements, their approaches can vary in focus.
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For families navigating separation, working with a social worker can offer a more relational and emotionally attuned approach. The mediation process can feel overwhelming, especially when emotions are high. Social workers are trained to hold both the practical and emotional aspects at once: providing structure and guidance while helping families navigate complex dynamics, regulate conflict, and strengthen communication. This can make the process feel more manageable, while also supporting a healthier, more sustainable co-parenting relationship moving forward.
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Our team-based approach offers comprehensive support during this transition. In addition to mediation, we offer services such as Voice of the Child Reports and ongoing therapeutic support for each family member. This allows for greater attunement to the needs and experiences of everyone involved.​
Important Considerations
Please keep in mind Social workers are not lawyers and cannot offer legal advice.
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Mediation is not a replacement for independent legal advice. A mediator does not provide legal representation, make rulings, or determine outcomes. ​It is strongly recommended that any agreements reached through mediation be reviewed by a lawyer to ensure you fully understand your rights and responsibilities before finalizing them.
Cost of Mediation Services
CW Therapy uses a retainer model for mediation services for separation. This means that a payment is made in advance and as the work is done, the money in the retainer is used. If there is money left in the retainer at the end of service, this is returned.​ We require a retainer of $2500 and services are billed at a rate of $250 per hour.
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Services provided by a Registered Social Worker are often covered under extended health benefits, though we recommend confirming coverage with your provider. In many cases, these services may also be eligible as a medical expense for tax purposes.
Getting Started
Family mediation is offered in Georgetown & virtual for all residents of Ontario.
Mediation offers a more constructive way to create a parenting plan and move forward after separation.
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If you feel you're ready to get started, we invite you to book a free 15 minute consutltation with Amy.
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If you aren't quite sure and want to find out more before booking, please fill out the contact form and our admin team will be in touch. ​​