We often have counselors and other mental health professional take part in our mediation training. These professionals not only make outstanding mediators and conflict resolution professionals, but they also find mediation training , serves to enhance their skills and broaden their professional capabilities.

Here are some key benefits of taking part in mediation training for those in the mental health field:

1. Improved Conflict Resolution Skills: Mediation training equips counselors with advanced techniques to manage and resolve conflicts between clients, whether in couples therapy, family counseling, or group sessions. This makes them more effective in helping clients navigate disputes.
2. Enhanced Communication Techniques: Mediation training emphasizes active listening, neutral language, and the ability to facilitate open dialogue. Counselors can use these techniques to help clients express themselves more clearly and understand others' perspectives.
3. Increased Client Empowerment: Mediation focuses on empowering parties to find mutually agreeable solutions. Counselors can apply this approach to encourage clients to take an active role in resolving their own issues, fostering a sense of control and responsibility.
4. Broader Professional Opportunities: With mediation training, counselors can expand their practice to include mediation services, offering an additional stream of income and a new area of expertise. This can be particularly valuable in settings like family law, workplace disputes, or community conflicts.
5. Reduced Burnout: By using mediation techniques, counselors can foster a more collaborative and less adversarial environment in their sessions. This can lead to more positive outcomes, reducing the emotional toll on both the counselor and the clients.
6. Better Crisis Management: In high-conflict situations, such as divorce or custody battles, mediation training can help counselors de-escalate tensions and guide clients toward constructive solutions, minimizing the potential for long-term harm.
7. Ethical and Legal Awareness: Mediation training includes instruction on the ethical and legal aspects of conflict resolution. This knowledge can help counselors navigate complex situations more effectively, ensuring they adhere to professional standards.

Overall, mediation training can make counselors more versatile, effective, and confident in handling a wide range of client issues, ultimately leading to better outcomes for their clients.

Read more about the value of mediator who is also a mental health professional in this article by Ilene Diamond from Mediate.com. And, if you'd like to build your own mediation skills, consider taking part in the CCMA's next virtual mediation training!

Since we began offering mediation training at Missouri State University over 20 years ago, we've heard time and again from participants that the training not only prepared them to mediate disputes, but that it has a transformational impact on their professional lives. 

One example of this is the way in which mediation skills transfer into leadership skills. In her article for the TCM group, Claire Gearon shares her own reflections on this subject, including how mediation skills lead to a mindset shift for leaders, build listening skills, teach invaluable questioning skills, and help leaders foster an empathetic environment. 
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Check out her full article at transformationalculture.com/why-mediators-make-good-leaders/. And if you'd like to build your own mediation and leadership skills consider taking part in the CCMA's next virtual mediation training!