At times, in even the strongest families, parents and teenagers can be a volatile mix. When communication breaks down, arguments escalate, and high-risk behaviors may arise, such as breaking rules, skipping school, running away, and using drugs. New perspectives on each others’ needs and concerns can transform relationships throughout a family, helping to prevent the perpetuation of dysfunctional patterns of communication and behavior, and the continued strain on relationships.

Parent-Teen Mediation is a valuable alternative to assist in the resolution of conflict between parents and teens. Parent-Teen Mediation facilitates effective communication between parents and teens while teaching parents and teens new ways to communicate and work through issues.

A troubled teenager is often a symptom, not cause, of a troubled family. Systemic problems, such as dysfunctional communication throughout a family, may be overlooked when attention focuses only on the teen. Examining parent-teen conflicts and focusing on both the parent and teen, rather than only on the teenager, relieves pressure by minimizing blame, and balancing power.

Mediation is a safe, calm, structured process for exploring parent-teen relationships, alone or in the context of the entire family. Parent-teen mediation can be very helpful in developing behavioral changes crafted by the family rather than changes ordered by an impersonal third party, such as a judge.

Mediation promotes discussion, understanding and creative solutions – not just of the conflict at hand. In mediation parents and teens may learn new strategies for communicating and problem solving when faced with future dilemmas. As a mediator, and committed to the empowerment of parents and teens in mediation, I help you to be heard, to voice your needs and concerns, and to “hear” the voices of the others at the table.

Parent-Teen Mediation facilitates effective communication between parents and teens while teaching parents and teens new ways to communicate and work through issues. In mediation parents and teens learn new strategies for communicating and problem solving when faced with future dilemmas.