End the Marriage, Not the Respect

Divorce requires hundreds of decisions.

Some are practical. Others are financial. Some involve your children, your home, or your future. Nearly all of them are made during one of the most emotionally difficult times in your life.

Mediation gives you the space to make those decisions thoughtfully.

Rather than asking a judge to make decisions for your family, mediation provides a structured process where the two of you remain in control of the outcome. My role is to guide conversations, keep them productive, and help you navigate the decisions that come with separating one household into two.

Why Work With an LICSW as Your Mediator?

Divorce is a legal process, but it's also one of life's biggest transitions.

As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), I've spent my career helping people navigate conflict, communicate through emotionally charged situations, and make thoughtful decisions during some of life's most stressful moments.

Strong emotions are a normal part of divorce, but they can make it difficult to think clearly, listen to one another, and solve problems. My clinical background allows me to recognize when emotions are getting in the way of productive conversations, help de-escalate conflict, and guide discussions back toward thoughtful decision-making.

I don't provide therapy during mediation, and I don't advocate for either person. I remain a neutral mediator throughout the process. My role is to facilitate conversations—not direct the outcome.

The Process

I'm here to guide conversations, help keep them productive, and support a process that allows the two of you to work through the decisions that need to be made.

We won't solve everything in one meeting, nor should we expect to. We'll address one issue at a time, giving each decision the time and attention it deserves.

Some conversations will be easier than others. That's normal. My job is to help keep the process moving forward, even when the topics are difficult, helping identify that neither person is right or wrong, but there is a best choice for any situation we may discuss.

Looking Forward

The past matters because it brought you here.

There may be times when understanding what happened provides important context, but mediation isn't about deciding who was right, who was wrong, or reliving every argument that led to this point.

Instead, we'll focus on the decisions that shape what comes next.

Through mediation, you'll have the opportunity to address parenting, finances, property, support, and the many practical issues involved in separating one household into two. My role is to guide those conversations and help keep the process moving forward.

The goal isn't a perfect agreement. It's an agreement that allows both of you to move forward with clarity and confidence.

What Can Mediation Help You Address?

Every family is different, and every mediation follows its own path. The conversations are guided by your family's needs and the issues that need to be resolved.

Topics commonly addressed in mediation include:

Parenting plans and parenting schedules
Decision-making responsibilities for children
Child support
Spousal support, when appropriate
Division of assets and debts
The marital home
Retirement accounts and other financial considerations
Communication and co-parenting expectations
Other issues unique to your family's circumstances

You remain the decision-makers throughout the process. My role is to facilitate productive conversations, help clarify options, and keep us moving toward resolution.

There Is Room for Emotion

Divorce is emotional, even when it's the right decision.

You may feel grief, anger, anxiety, frustration, relief, or all of those emotions in the same afternoon. They don't need to disappear before productive conversations can happen.

If a conversation becomes overwhelming or stops moving us toward resolution, we'll pause. Sometimes we intentionally slow the conversation down so everyone has the opportunity to think clearly before moving forward.

Is Mediation Right for You?

Mediation may be a good fit if you and your spouse want to:

Maintain control over the decisions that affect your family
Reduce unnecessary conflict
Work toward practical solutions rather than courtroom battles
Preserve a workable relationship as co-parents
Create agreements that reflect your family's unique circumstances

Not every situation is appropriate for mediation. During an initial consultation, we'll discuss your circumstances, answer your questions, and determine whether mediation is the right process for both of you.

Still You

One of the reasons I chose the name Still Me is because major life transitions have a way of making people lose sight of themselves.

Divorce changes many things. It can change where you live, how you parent, your finances, your routines, and the future you imagined. It doesn't have to change the person you are or the values that guide your decisions.

My hope is that mediation gives you the space to slow down, think clearly, and make decisions that reflect those values rather than the intensity of the moment.

At the conclusion of mediation, I'll prepare a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that summarizes the agreements you've reached together. The MOU is not a legal document. It serves as the foundation for the legal paperwork that will ultimately be submitted to the court.

While you're welcome to prepare and file your own legal documents, I generally recommend that each of you seek independent legal advice and have an attorney prepare or review the final paperwork before it is filed.

FAQ

How many mediation sessions will we need?

Every family is different. The number of sessions depends on the complexity of your situation, the issues that need to be resolved, and the pace that's right for both of you. During our consultation, we'll discuss what you can typically expect.

What if we don't agree on everything?

That's completely normal. Most couples begin mediation because there are important decisions they haven't been able to resolve on their own. We'll work through one issue at a time. Some topics are resolved quickly, while others require more discussion. Progress—not perfection—is the goal.

Do we each need an attorney?

I encourage each of you to seek independent legal advice throughout the process. At the conclusion of mediation, you'll receive a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the agreements you've reached. While some couples choose to prepare and file their own legal paperwork, I generally recommend having an attorney prepare or review the final documents before they are submitted to the court.

Will you tell us what to do?

No. I remain a neutral mediator throughout the process. My role is to facilitate conversations, help clarify options, keep discussions productive, and support the process. The decisions are always yours.

Ready to Take the First Step?

The first meeting isn't about solving everything. It's about understanding the process, asking questions, and deciding whether mediation is the right fit for your family.

If you're ready to learn more, I'd be happy to answer your questions and explain what to expect.

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