Navigating Conflict: The Power of Trauma-Informed Mediation

When conflicts arise, especially those rooted in past hurts, a standard approach might not be enough. That’s where trauma-informed mediation comes in. It’s a way of helping people sort things out that pays special attention to how past experiences, like trauma, can affect how people act and communicate. This method aims to create a safer space for everyone involved, making it easier to find solutions that really work.

Key Takeaways

Trauma-informed mediation is a process that recognizes how past trauma can influence current conflicts and communication styles.
Mediators using this approach focus on creating a safe, respectful environment where parties feel heard and understood.
Key skills for mediators include active listening, validating emotions, and using neutral language to avoid re-traumatizing individuals.
This method addresses power imbalances and aims to give all parties a voice and a sense of control over the resolution process.
Trauma-informed mediation can be applied to various disputes, including family, workplace, and community conflicts, to achieve more effective and lasting outcomes.

Understanding Trauma-Informed Mediation

Defining Trauma-Informed Mediation

Trauma-informed mediation is a way of doing mediation that pays close attention to how past difficult experiences might affect people in a conflict. It’s not about diagnosing trauma, but about recognizing that people might be carrying burdens from upsetting events. This approach helps create a space where everyone feels safer and more able to participate. It means mediators think about how their own actions, the process itself, and the environment might unintentionally bring up difficult feelings for someone who has experienced trauma. The goal is to reduce the chance of re-traumatization and make the mediation process more effective for everyone involved.

The Core Principles of Trauma-Informed Mediation

At its heart, trauma-informed mediation is built on a few key ideas. First, safety is paramount. This means making sure the physical space is comfortable and that the communication during mediation feels secure and respectful. Second, mediators focus on empowerment. They aim to give parties back a sense of control over their situation, which can be lost when someone has experienced trauma. This involves respecting their choices and ensuring they have a voice. Third, there’s a strong emphasis on collaboration and choice. Parties are encouraged to work together, but they always have the right to decide what they are comfortable with and whether to agree to anything. Finally, mediators practice transparency and predictability. Explaining the process clearly and sticking to a predictable structure can help reduce anxiety.

Why Trauma-Informed Mediation is Essential

When people are dealing with conflict, especially if they’ve been through something traumatic, their reactions can be unpredictable. They might become very quiet, easily upset, or even shut down completely. Without a trauma-informed approach, a standard mediation might accidentally make things worse. A mediator might misunderstand someone’s reaction, leading to frustration or a feeling of being unheard. This can derail the entire process and prevent any real resolution. By understanding how trauma can affect behavior and communication, mediators can adjust their style. They can use language that is less likely to trigger distress and create an environment where people feel more capable of expressing themselves and working towards a solution. It’s about making mediation accessible and helpful for a wider range of people, acknowledging that everyone’s experience is different.

The Impact of Trauma on Conflict Dynamics

When people are dealing with trauma, it really changes how they show up in a conflict. It’s not just about being upset; it’s about how their nervous system is wired to react. This can make disagreements feel much bigger and harder to sort out. Understanding these reactions is key for mediators.

Recognizing Trauma Responses in Disputes

Trauma can make people hypervigilant, meaning they’re constantly on the lookout for danger. In a mediation, this might look like someone being overly sensitive to tone of voice, body language, or even the way a room is set up. They might jump to conclusions, assuming the worst. On the flip side, some people might freeze or shut down. They might seem disengaged or unable to speak up, even when it’s important. These are not signs of being difficult, but rather automatic responses to feeling unsafe.

Fight: Becoming aggressive, defensive, or argumentative.
Flight: Wanting to escape the situation, becoming withdrawn or avoidant.
Freeze: Appearing numb, unable to process information, or shutting down emotionally.
Fawn: Trying to people-please or appease to avoid conflict, even at their own expense.

How Trauma Affects Communication and Behavior

Trauma can really mess with someone’s ability to communicate clearly. Their memory might be affected, making it hard to recall details accurately. They might have trouble regulating their emotions, leading to outbursts or prolonged periods of distress. This can make it tough to have a productive conversation. People might also struggle with trust, making it hard to believe what the other person is saying or to feel safe sharing their own thoughts.

When trauma is present, the focus can shift from solving the problem at hand to managing overwhelming feelings of fear, shame, or anger. This makes rational discussion incredibly challenging.

The Mediator’s Role in Navigating Trauma

As a mediator, your job isn’t to be a therapist, but to create an environment where people feel safe enough to talk. This means being extra aware of how your own actions might affect someone who has experienced trauma. It involves using calm, steady communication, checking in frequently, and being patient.

Pacing: Slowing down the conversation to allow people time to process.
Validation: Acknowledging feelings without necessarily agreeing with the behavior.
Choice: Giving parties control over the process where possible, like choosing when to take a break.
Safety: Constantly assessing and ensuring the physical and emotional safety of everyone involved.

Foundational Skills for Trauma-Informed Mediators

To effectively guide parties through conflict, especially when trauma is a factor, mediators need a specific set of skills. These aren’t just about managing a conversation; they’re about creating an environment where healing and resolution can actually happen. It’s a delicate balance, requiring both technical know-how and a deep well of personal presence.

Cultivating Empathy and Validation

Empathy in mediation means trying to understand the other person’s feelings and perspective, even if you don’t agree with them. Validation is about letting them know you’ve heard and understood their emotional experience. This combination is key to de-escalating tension and building trust. When parties feel seen and heard, they are more likely to engage constructively.

Acknowledge Feelings: Use phrases like, "I hear how upsetting that was for you," or "It sounds like that situation caused a lot of frustration."
Reflect Content and Emotion: "So, if I’m understanding correctly, you felt unheard when the deadline was missed, and that led to significant stress?"
Normalize Reactions (Carefully): Without excusing behavior, you might say, "It’s understandable that you would feel angry given what happened."

Validation isn’t about agreeing with someone’s actions or viewpoint. It’s about recognizing the reality of their emotional experience. This simple act can significantly shift the dynamic from adversarial to collaborative.

Mastering Active and Reflective Listening

Active listening goes beyond just hearing words; it involves paying full attention to the speaker, both verbally and non-verbally. Reflective listening is a technique within active listening where you paraphrase what the speaker has said to confirm understanding and show you’re engaged. This helps parties feel truly heard and reduces misunderstandings.

Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

Pay Full Attention: Put away distractions, make eye contact (if culturally appropriate), and focus solely on the speaker.
Listen for Content and Emotion: What are they saying, and how are they saying it? What feelings are beneath the words?
Paraphrase and Summarize: "So, you’re saying that the lack of clear communication about the project changes made you feel uncertain about your role?"
Ask Clarifying Questions: "Could you tell me a bit more about what that felt like?"

De-escalation Techniques for Volatile Situations

When emotions run high, a mediator’s ability to de-escalate is paramount. This involves creating a calm atmosphere and managing intense feelings without judgment. The goal is to bring the emotional temperature down so rational discussion can occur.

Maintain Calmness: Your own composure is contagious. Speak in a steady, even tone.
Validate Emotions: "I can see this is incredibly difficult, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed right now."
Take Breaks: Suggest short breaks if things become too heated. "Perhaps we could all take five minutes to step away and regroup?"
Use Neutral Language: Avoid loaded words or taking sides. Stick to factual descriptions of what is being said.
Focus on the Present: Gently steer the conversation back to the issues at hand, away from past grievances if they are derailing progress.

Creating a Safe and Empowering Mediation Environment

When people are dealing with conflict, especially if trauma is involved, the space where they try to sort things out needs to feel secure. It’s not just about having a quiet room; it’s about making sure everyone feels respected and able to speak without fear. This is where the mediator’s skill in setting up the environment really comes into play. The goal is to create a setting that supports open communication and allows parties to regain a sense of control over their situation.

Establishing Ground Rules for Safety

Before diving into the issues, it’s important to agree on how everyone will interact. These aren’t strict rules imposed by the mediator, but rather guidelines that the parties themselves help create. This collaborative approach gives people a stake in the process from the start.

Respectful Communication: Agreeing to listen without interrupting and to speak without personal attacks.
Confidentiality: Understanding that what is said in the room generally stays in the room, with clear exceptions explained.
Taking Breaks: Recognizing that emotions can run high and agreeing to pause the discussion when needed.
Focus on the Issue: Committing to discussing the problem at hand rather than bringing up past grievances unrelated to the current dispute.

Setting these ground rules together helps build a shared understanding of how the mediation will proceed. It’s a way of saying, ‘We’re all in this together, and we’ll treat each other with consideration.’

Ensuring Physical and Psychological Safety

Physical safety is straightforward – ensuring the location is neutral and free from any perceived threat. Psychological safety is more nuanced. It means creating an atmosphere where parties feel safe to express themselves honestly without fear of judgment, ridicule, or retaliation. This involves the mediator being highly attuned to non-verbal cues and the emotional tone of the room.

Mediator’s Demeanor: Maintaining a calm, steady, and non-judgmental presence.
Language Choice: Using neutral and non-blaming language, and gently redirecting parties if they slip into accusatory tones.
Pacing: Allowing enough time for parties to process and respond, avoiding pressure.
Managing Interruptions: Skillfully intervening when one party dominates the conversation or interrupts the other.

Empowering Parties Through Self-Determination

Trauma can leave individuals feeling powerless. Mediation, at its core, is about self-determination – the idea that the parties themselves are the best judges of what works for them and have the right to make their own decisions. The mediator’s role is to facilitate this, not to dictate solutions.

Voluntary Participation: Reminding parties that they are there by choice and can leave if they feel unsafe or unable to proceed.
Focus on Interests: Helping parties move beyond fixed positions to explore their underlying needs and concerns.
Option Generation: Encouraging parties to brainstorm a wide range of possible solutions, no matter how unconventional they might seem at first.
Informed Decision-Making: Providing information and clarifying options so parties can make choices they feel good about, without coercion.

By focusing on these elements, mediators can help transform a potentially volatile situation into a space where constructive dialogue and genuine resolution can occur, even when past hurts are present.

Addressing Power Imbalances in Trauma-Informed Mediation

Sometimes, one person in a mediation has more influence, information, or resources than the other. This can make it hard for everyone to feel heard and participate equally. In trauma-informed mediation, we pay close attention to these differences and work to level the playing field.

Identifying and Mitigating Power Disparities

Power imbalances aren’t always obvious. They can show up in many ways, like one person having more education, a louder voice, or more social standing. Sometimes, one party might have a history of being controlled or dismissed, which can make them hesitant to speak up. The mediator’s job is to spot these dynamics early on. This might involve observing body language, listening to how people speak to each other, and understanding the background of the conflict. Recognizing these disparities is the first step toward addressing them.

Here are some common areas where power differences can appear:

Information Asymmetry: One party knows more about the subject matter or legal aspects than the other.
Resource Differences: One party has more financial resources, better legal representation, or more time to dedicate to the dispute.
Social Status/Authority: One party holds a position of authority or has a higher social standing.
Communication Styles: One party is more assertive or articulate, potentially overshadowing a quieter or less confident speaker.
Emotional State: One party may be more emotionally distressed or overwhelmed due to past experiences, impacting their ability to engage.

Strategies for Supporting Vulnerable Parties

When we see that one person might be at a disadvantage, we need to take steps to help them feel more secure and able to participate. This isn’t about taking sides; it’s about making sure the process is fair for everyone involved. We can do this by:

Pacing the discussion: Slowing down the conversation so everyone has time to think and respond without feeling rushed.
Using clear, simple language: Avoiding complex legal or technical terms that might confuse or intimidate someone.
Checking for understanding: Regularly asking if people are following along and if they have questions.
Creating space for private conversations: Offering separate meetings (caucuses) where a party can speak more freely with the mediator without the other person present.
Validating their experience: Acknowledging their feelings and concerns, letting them know they are being heard and taken seriously.

Acknowledging and actively working to balance power dynamics is not just good practice; it’s a core component of ethical and effective mediation, especially when trauma may be a factor. It creates an environment where genuine agreement is possible.

Maintaining Neutrality While Acknowledging Impact

It can feel tricky to address power differences without seeming biased. The key is to remain neutral about the outcome while being very aware of the process. A mediator doesn’t decide who is ‘right’ or ‘wrong,’ but they do guide the conversation to be fair. This means:

Focusing on process: The mediator manages the conversation, ensures everyone gets a turn to speak, and intervenes if one person is dominating.
Being transparent: Explaining to both parties why certain steps are being taken to manage power differences, framing it as a way to help both of them communicate better.
Empowering both parties: The goal is to help the less powerful party find their voice and feel confident in expressing their needs and interests, while also helping the more powerful party understand the impact of their communication style.
Using neutral language: Describing dynamics without judgment, for example, saying "I notice one of you has a lot of detailed information here" rather than "You’re the expert and know more."

Trauma-Informed Questioning and Dialogue

Restorative and Reflective Questioning Techniques

When working with people who have experienced trauma, the way we ask questions matters a lot. It’s not just about getting information; it’s about how the questions make people feel and whether they help or hurt the process. Instead of jumping straight to problem-solving, we can use questions that focus on understanding the impact of what happened and what might help things get better. Think about questions that help people talk about what they need to move forward, rather than just rehashing the past. This approach helps rebuild trust and acknowledges the harm done.

Here are some examples of questions that can be helpful:

What can be done to help repair the harm that has occurred?
How might trust be rebuilt between the parties involved?
What has been the impact of this situation on you personally?
What do you feel you need to be able to move forward from here?

Crafting Neutral and Non-Triggering Language

Using the right words is key. Trauma can make people very sensitive to certain language. Our goal as mediators is to create a space where people feel safe to talk, and that means being really careful with our words. We want to avoid language that sounds blaming, judgmental, or that might bring up bad memories unnecessarily. This means choosing words that are neutral and focus on understanding, rather than assigning fault. It’s about being mindful of how our phrasing might affect someone who is feeling vulnerable.

Consider these examples of mediator statements:

"I’m hearing that there are different views on what happened here."
"Let’s take a moment to consider how this situation has affected everyone involved."
"Thank you for sharing your perspective on this matter."
"Would it be helpful to explore this from another angle?"

Facilitating Dialogue That Honors Lived Experiences

Mediation is fundamentally about communication, and when trauma is present, this communication needs extra care. We want to create an environment where people feel heard and respected, even when they have very different experiences or viewpoints. This involves actively listening and reflecting back what we hear, not just the facts, but the feelings too. It’s about acknowledging that each person’s experience is real for them and validating their feelings without necessarily agreeing with their position. This kind of dialogue helps people feel seen and understood, which is a big step toward resolving conflict.

The aim is to create a conversational space where individuals feel safe enough to express their experiences and needs without fear of judgment or further harm. This involves a conscious effort to validate emotions and perspectives, recognizing that each person’s reality is shaped by their unique journey.

This approach helps to:

Build rapport and trust between the mediator and the parties.
Encourage parties to share their underlying interests and needs.
Shift the focus from blame to understanding and problem-solving.
Promote a sense of agency and self-determination for the participants.

Specific Applications of Trauma-Informed Mediation

Family Disputes and Trauma

When families go through tough times, like divorce or custody battles, things can get really heated. People are often dealing with a lot of hurt, fear, and maybe even anger from past events. Trauma-informed mediation in these situations means the mediator understands that these strong feelings are real and can affect how people talk and make decisions. The goal isn’t just to sort out who gets what, but to do it in a way that doesn’t make things worse for anyone, especially the kids. It’s about creating a space where parents can talk about their concerns without feeling attacked, and where the focus stays on what’s best for the children.

Prioritizing child well-being: Ensuring decisions made are in the best interest of any children involved.
Emotional validation: Acknowledging the pain and stress families experience during separation.
Safe communication: Guiding conversations to prevent re-traumatization.

In family matters, the mediator acts as a guide, helping parents communicate more effectively about their children’s needs, even when their own relationship is strained. This approach helps build a foundation for healthier co-parenting.

Workplace Conflicts and Trauma

Workplace conflicts can be incredibly stressful. Think about disagreements between colleagues, issues with a boss, or even claims of harassment. When trauma is involved, it can show up as avoidance, difficulty concentrating, or strong emotional reactions. A trauma-informed mediator in this setting knows how to spot these signs and adjust their approach. They create a confidential space where people feel safe to share their side of the story without fear of judgment or retaliation. The aim is to find solutions that allow people to work together again, or at least to part ways respectfully, while acknowledging the impact of past experiences.

Confidentiality: Protecting the privacy of all parties involved to encourage open discussion.
Neutrality: Maintaining an unbiased stance, regardless of job titles or perceived power.
Focus on future collaboration: Helping parties find ways to work together productively moving forward.

Community and Interpersonal Trauma

Conflicts in communities, like neighborhood disputes or issues between different groups, can sometimes stem from deeper, shared experiences of trauma. Similarly, interpersonal conflicts between friends or acquaintances might have roots in past hurts. Trauma-informed mediation here means recognizing that historical or personal trauma can influence how people perceive the conflict and interact with each other. The mediator works to create an environment where everyone feels heard and respected, even if they have very different viewpoints. The process encourages understanding and aims to repair relationships or find ways for people to coexist peacefully, acknowledging the impact of past events on present interactions.

Type of Conflict	Potential Trauma Impact
Neighborhood Disputes	Historical grievances, feelings of injustice, fear
Interpersonal Disputes	Betrayal, past hurts, emotional distress
Group Conflicts	Collective trauma, cultural misunderstandings, historical conflict

Restorative dialogue: Facilitating conversations that focus on understanding harm and finding ways to repair it.
Cultural sensitivity: Being aware of and respecting diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Empowerment: Helping individuals and groups find their voice and agency in resolving conflict.

Ethical Considerations in Trauma-Informed Mediation

Confidentiality and Its Boundaries

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of mediation, creating a safe space for parties to speak openly. In trauma-informed mediation, this principle takes on even greater importance. Parties might be sharing deeply personal and potentially triggering information. Mediators must be crystal clear about what is confidential and what isn’t. This includes explaining any legal or ethical limits, like situations where a mediator might be required to report abuse or imminent harm. It’s vital that parties understand these boundaries upfront to build trust.

Informed Consent in Trauma-Informed Settings

Getting informed consent in a trauma-informed approach means going beyond just explaining the process. It involves making sure parties truly understand what they are agreeing to, especially given the potential emotional impact of the mediation. This means:

Explaining the mediator’s role and limitations.
Clarifying the voluntary nature of mediation and the right to pause or stop.
Discussing how information will be used and protected.
Checking for understanding, particularly if a party seems overwhelmed or distressed.

Mediator Competence and Self-Care

Mediators working with trauma survivors need specific training and awareness. They must know how trauma can affect communication, memory, and emotional regulation. It’s not about being a therapist, but about understanding the impact of trauma on the conflict. This also means mediators need to practice self-care. Dealing with intense emotions and potentially re-traumatizing stories can take a toll. Recognizing one’s own limits and seeking support or supervision is part of maintaining competence and ethical practice. A burnt-out mediator cannot effectively support parties navigating difficult experiences.

Preparing Parties for Trauma-Informed Mediation

Educating Parties About the Process

Getting ready for mediation, especially when trauma might be a factor, means everyone involved needs to know what to expect. It’s not like going to court. This is a space where you get to talk things through with a neutral person helping you communicate. The goal is for you to find your own solutions. Before the session even starts, it’s helpful to explain that mediation is voluntary. You don’t have to agree to anything you’re not comfortable with. We’ll talk about how the mediator stays neutral and doesn’t take sides. It’s also important to mention that what’s said in the room usually stays private, which helps people feel safer to speak openly. We want to make sure everyone understands that this process is about finding common ground, not about assigning blame.

Managing Expectations and Anxieties

It’s totally normal to feel anxious before mediation. People worry about facing the other person, about not being heard, or about the outcome. In a trauma-informed approach, we acknowledge these feelings. We can talk about how the mediator will help keep the conversation calm and respectful. We’ll discuss strategies for managing difficult emotions if they come up during the session. Sometimes, just knowing that there are ways to take a break or that the mediator will step in if things get too heated can make a big difference. It’s about creating a sense of predictability in what can feel like an unpredictable situation. We want to help people feel as prepared and as calm as possible.

Encouraging Emotional Readiness

Emotional readiness isn’t about being perfectly calm or having all your feelings sorted out. It’s more about being willing to engage in the process and to try to communicate, even when it’s hard. We can encourage this by validating the difficulty of the situation. It’s okay to acknowledge that this is tough. We can also talk about what each person hopes to get out of the mediation. Sometimes, focusing on what you do want to achieve, rather than just what you want to avoid, can help shift the mindset. It’s about gently guiding people toward a place where they feel capable of participating and making decisions about their own situation. This might involve simple exercises or just a conversation about what helps them feel more grounded.

The Future of Trauma-Informed Mediation

Advancing Best Practices

The field of trauma-informed mediation is still growing, and that means we’re always figuring out better ways to do things. Right now, a lot of the focus is on making sure mediators are really good at spotting how trauma might show up in a conflict and knowing how to respond without making things worse. This involves developing more specific training modules that go beyond just the basics. We’re seeing a push for more research into what works best, especially in different kinds of disputes, like family matters or workplace issues. The goal is to create clearer guidelines and standards so that everyone involved knows what to expect and can trust the process.

Training and Professional Development

To really make trauma-informed mediation the norm, we need solid training for mediators. This isn’t just a one-off workshop; it’s about ongoing learning. Think about programs that teach mediators how to recognize trauma symptoms, understand their impact on communication, and use techniques that create a safe space for everyone. It’s also about mediators learning to manage their own reactions and avoid burnout, which is a real risk when dealing with sensitive issues. We’re looking at more universities and professional organizations offering specialized courses and certifications in this area. The aim is to equip mediators with the skills and awareness needed to handle complex emotional situations with care and competence.

Integrating Trauma-Informed Principles Across Dispute Resolution

Ultimately, the vision is for trauma-informed practices to become standard across all forms of dispute resolution, not just mediation. This means that principles like safety, choice, collaboration, and empowerment, which are central to trauma-informed approaches, should be woven into how we think about and conduct any process where people are trying to resolve disagreements. It’s about shifting the entire culture of conflict resolution to be more sensitive to the impact of past experiences. This integration could look like:

Developing universal training standards for all dispute resolution professionals.
Creating resources and toolkits that help organizations implement trauma-informed practices.
Encouraging research that demonstrates the effectiveness of these approaches in various settings.

The ongoing evolution of trauma-informed mediation suggests a future where dispute resolution processes are not only effective in finding solutions but are also fundamentally respectful of the human experience, acknowledging that past wounds can significantly shape present conflicts and future outcomes.

Moving Forward with Empathy

So, we’ve talked about how understanding trauma can really change how mediation works. It’s not just about finding a solution anymore; it’s about making sure everyone feels safe and heard, even when things are tough. By using these trauma-informed approaches, mediators can help people move past their hurt and find common ground. It takes practice, sure, and it means mediators need to keep learning, but the payoff is huge: more peaceful resolutions and stronger relationships. It’s a better way to handle disagreements, plain and simple.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is trauma-informed mediation?

Trauma-informed mediation is a way of helping people solve problems together. It’s different because the mediator understands that people might have been through tough experiences, like trauma, that can affect how they act and communicate. The mediator creates a safe space so everyone feels heard and respected, making it easier to find solutions.

How does trauma affect people in a conflict?

When someone has experienced trauma, they might react strongly to certain situations. They might get easily upset, feel unsafe, have trouble trusting others, or find it hard to speak up. These reactions aren’t intentional; they’re a natural response to past difficult experiences. In a conflict, these reactions can make communication really tough.

What’s the mediator’s job in trauma-informed mediation?

The mediator’s main job is to be a neutral helper. In trauma-informed mediation, this means being extra careful to make sure everyone feels safe and respected. They listen closely, use calm language, and help people understand each other without making things worse. They don’t take sides and help everyone have a voice.

How does a mediator create a safe environment?

Mediators create safety by setting clear rules for how people will talk to each other, like no interrupting or yelling. They also pay attention to how people are feeling and can take breaks if needed. They make sure everyone knows they have a say in what happens and that their choices are respected.

What does ’empowerment’ mean in this kind of mediation?

Empowerment means helping people feel strong and in control of their own situation. In mediation, this means the mediator helps each person share their thoughts and feelings and make their own decisions about how to solve the problem. It’s about giving people back their voice and their power.

Why is it important to use careful language in mediation?

Using careful language is super important because certain words or phrases can accidentally remind someone of their past trauma, making them feel scared or upset. Mediators use neutral and gentle words to avoid triggering these reactions and keep the conversation focused on solving the problem.

Can trauma-informed mediation help with family or workplace problems?

Yes, absolutely! It’s really helpful in family issues, like disagreements after a divorce, or in workplaces where people aren’t getting along. Because it focuses on safety and understanding, it can help people who have been through difficult times resolve their issues more peacefully and constructively.

What if one person has a lot more power than the other?

Mediators are trained to notice when there’s a power difference between people. They use special techniques to make sure the person with less power still feels safe to speak up and is heard fairly. They work to balance things so both people have an equal chance to share their side and make decisions.