For the third year in a row, the career of mediator has made U.S. News & World Report’s list of 30 “Best Careers of 2009.” The practice of mediation has become a fascinating career and it certainly has a place for dealing with most types of disputes. Dr. Alexia Georgakopoulos should know as she certifies mediators throughout Florida State. She is a primary trainer for Florida Supreme Court Certification Mediation Programs for both Family and County Mediation. You can read about her training programs under the mediation certification link at www.ICRCtraining.com. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Conflict Analysis and Resolution at Nova Southeastern University. Also, she is the Director of the Institute of Conflict Resolution and Communication, which is a provider for mediation training and continuing mediation education programs.
Mediation is a humanistic alternative dispute resolution practice. It promotes empowerment, self determination, and transformation. The problem with mediation is that people in the public don’t realize how they can benefit from mediation, hence there may be a reliance for people to go straight to attorneys, litigation, courts, and judges to determine outcomes; however, Dr. Georgakopoulos believes that best decisions come from people who understand their own relationships, conflicts, and interests and mediation gives people an wonderful opportunity to resolve their “own” problems. “It is all in the communication and interaction. The mediator has to be the guardian of the mediation process and ensure that people communicate their interests and needs effectively.” Students who are interested in learning about mediation often wonder what mediation entails and Dr. Georgakopoulos often responds by saying that takes a nuance understanding of both mediation process and the context. Mediators like experts need to specialize and understand what they offer. That is why she recommends that people who are interested in becoming mediation get credentials, certification, and specialized training in the type of mediation that they would like to perform. In business disputes, a mediator needs to be educated in a variety of mediation theories, principles, and techniques from a variety of mediation models. Important topics they should be aware of include the following: mediation processes, settlement composition, court processes, code of conduct for mediators, effective negotiation and communication, ethical principles, diversity issues, community resources, mediation business marketing, and conflict resolution management. Depending on the state, it is imperative that mediators understand statutes and rules. For example, Florida has very specific statutes and rules that guide the code of conduct for mediators who take court connected cases.
In the context of family mediation, Dr. Georgakopoulos argues that knowledge about family dynamics is important along with mediation theories, principles and skills, as well as current research involving family mediation.
Mediators need to be trained in various mediation strategies and techniques from a variety of models including transformative, narrative, and problem solving mediation. Topics that are central to family mediation include psychological issues in divorce and family dynamics, issues concerning children’s needs in the context of divorce, standards of conduct for mediators, family law (dependent on the specific state where divorce takes place), family economics, diversity issues, court processes, communication skills, community resources, referral processes and conflict management strategies. A mediator above all other points needs to have a keen understanding of how to promote self-determination, commitment, and transformation during family conflict.
Then of course there is every other form of mediation under the sky from international diplomacy mediation, entertainment mediation, healthcare mediation, environmental mediation….etc. to list a few. The point is that a mediator can not come into mediation with a blank slate because it requires knowledge of the site and context where the conflict in couched in.
With the complexity of conflict comes the task for mediators to learn and implement best practices in mediation. No single mediation model is sufficient or superior for conflict resolution; therefore, it is good to learn a variety of established models to enhance your mediator toolbox. An important task for mediation specialists is to discover what types of approaches can enhance a mediator’s ability to successfully work with unique and diverse clients.
An important lesson in mediation education and development is to learn the most appropriate match between the conflict resolution approach, conflict, and people involved. Given that people in conflict have different needs, different mediation techniques may be valuable for different people in conflict. It is important for a mediator to stay in touch with state of the art and time tested conflict resolution techniques that are grounded in theory, research and practice. Nevertheless, the beauty of mediation is that a mediator can and should draw from his/her own talents while craft interventions that are distinctive his/her style.
Mediation is an art or craft as well, and Dr. Georgakopoulos recognizes the truth in Aristotle’s argument that it requires 5,000 acts of practice to develop a skill into habit. It is her job to not only teach mediation students “what” is important to know, but “how” to use mediation skills. With mediation skills, mediators can promote fundamental shifts from destructive conflict to construction conflict. A mediator can promote movements toward cooperation, interconnectedness, respect, effective communication, authenticity, validation, compassion between disputing parties and all the while appreciate that the outcome is ultimately in the hands of the parties they themselves.
Dr. Georgakopoulos advises that practicum sites are a great place for students to work in sites that may interest them in the future. These networking opportunities can be invaluable when it comes to time to find full time careers. She is always receptive to working with practicum students and interns in a number of her sites, so she encourages you to contact her if you are interested. Also, mediation certification is an important step in enhancing your mediator toolbox. See your state’s provider list for programs that are approved. In Florida one can visit www.flcourts.gov, go to Alternative Dispute Resolution, then read mediator qualifications, and finally review a list of providers who are available throughout the state. Of course, I encourage you to attend an upcoming training at The Institute of Conflict Resolution and Communication, which provides a number of training programs (see www.ICRCtraining.com under mediation certification and continuing mediation education). The training has received excellent reviews and has an exceptional faculty team with professionals from a variety of backgrounds.
Alexia Georgakopoulos, Ph.D., Dr. Georgakapoulos is currently an Associate Professor of Conflict Resolution and Analysis in the Department of Conflict Analysis and Resolution (DCAR) in the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) at Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. For programs and degree information at SHSS please visit
Also, she is the Director and Primary Trainer for the Institute of Conflict Resolution and Communication (ICRC). ICRC is an educational provider for mediation certification, conflict resolution programs and communication training. Alexia Georgakopoulos has extensive experience as an educator, trainer, researcher, and practitioner.
She is a Florida Supreme Court Certified County and Family Mediator, a primary trainer in County Mediation and Family Mediation.
