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Why Every Family Mediator Must Be Trauma-Informed
Family law mediation isn’t just about legal disputes—it’s about navigating deep emotional trauma , power imbalances , and sometimes, very...

Jana de Waal
Apr 142 min read
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Talk Less, Listen More: The Transformative Power of Active Listening in Mediation
In the emotionally intense world of family law mediation, people don’t just want to be right—they want to be heard . They want to feel...

Jana de Waal
Apr 142 min read
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Beyond Positions: How Interest-Based Negotiation Creates Real Resolution
Family law mediation is rarely about simple logistics. More often, it’s about deep-rooted needs, fears, and emotions that exist below the...

Jana de Waal
Apr 142 min read
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Walking the Neutral Line: The Power of Impartiality in Family Mediation
In the emotionally charged world of family law, tensions run high and trust is often in short supply. That’s why one of the most powerful...

Jana de Waal
Apr 142 min read
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Setting the Stage: Why Ground Rules Matter in Family Mediation
When two people walk into a family mediation, they often carry a world of tension with them—unfinished arguments, emotional scars, years...

Jana de Waal
Apr 142 min read
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Comfort in Conflict: How Small Touches Create a Big Impact in Mediation.
TIPS FOR A MEDIATOR Family law mediation isn’t easy. It often brings two people face-to-face at one of the most difficult points in their...

Jana de Waal
Apr 142 min read
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Choosing the Right Platform for Mediation: Virtual vs. In-Person
In today’s world, mediation no longer needs to happen around a table in a boardroom. With the rise of virtual platforms, family law...

Jana de Waal
Apr 142 min read
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What Is a Pre-Mediation Call—and Why Does It Matter to You?
If you’ve been asked to participate in a pre-mediation call, you might be wondering: What is this about? Is it necessary? Will it make a...

Jana de Waal
Apr 142 min read
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The Goldilocks Principle in Family Law Mediation
You probably remember the childhood tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears . Goldilocks didn’t like her porridge too hot or too cold—it...

Jana de Waal
Apr 142 min read
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Alternative Dispute Resolution in Family Law
At the end of 2023, the Alberta trial Courts, that being the Alberta Court of Justice and the Alberta Court of King’s Bench, brought in...

Jana de Waal
Jan 233 min read
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Exclusive possession of the family home
When a couple separates, it may be necessary for one party to apply to the Court for exclusive possession of the family home. This is...

Jana de Waal
Jan 232 min read
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Designing Trauma-Informed Mediation Processes for Family Violence Cases
In Alberta, the family law landscape is shifting significantly. With mandatory Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) now required before...

Jana de Waal
Jan 233 min read
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