Well, most judicial systems and court schedules are always full due to an overwhelming amount of cases. Mediation was created to take that load off of our already congested system and delegate minor disputes among themselves with mediators. That way the system can focus on court cases that need to be addressed sooner rather than later, such as murder, violence, and other intense crimes that require immediate urgency. Thus, the need for mediation is always in high demand.

So, to answer your question:

Mediation is a guided conversation to help people work through conflict and reach an agreement—without going to court, HR drama, or months of back-and-forth stress.

A trained neutral person (the mediator) helps ground everyone to:

• stay on track

• communicate clearly

• get to the real issues

• explore solutions that actually work in real life

You’re still in control. The mediator doesn’t “take sides,” and usually doesn’t decide who’s right or wrong. Their job is to help the conversation move forward in a productive, fair way.

Let’s clear up a few common fears:

• It’s 100% voluntary, you can leave at any time. Nobody can force you to stay.

• It’s not court. Nobody’s on trial.

• It’s not therapy. You don’t have to “spill your whole life story” unless you want to. We also don’t diagnose mental health problems.

• It’s not a public shaming session. You won’t be forced to endure getting yelled at.

• It’s not about “winning.” It’s about getting unstuck.

Why do people choose mediation?

Well, people come to mediation when they’re tired of:

• repeating the same argument

• feeling misunderstood

• walking on eggshells

• texting paragraphs that go nowhere

• getting other people involved (and it getting messier)

• wasting money/missing work

Mediation can help you:

• save thousands in legal fees

• control the outcome

• reduce stress and drama

• get clarity and closure

• set boundaries that stick

• make a plan you can actually follow

• protect relationships when possible

• end things cleanly when it’s time

Here’s what to expect at The Truce Room:

1. Intake / Prep
   You’ll share what’s going on, what you want, and what your concerns are. This helps the mediator plan a safe structure.

2. Ground Rules
   We set expectations for respect, turn-taking, and what happens if emotions spike. We simplified into the L.A.M.B. method it to make it easier for everyone to converse peacefully.

3. The Conversation
   Each person gets a chance to speak without being interrupted. The mediator asks questions, reflects back what’s being said, and helps clarify the real issues under the surface.

4. Problem-solving
   You explore options, negotiate what’s realistic, and build agreements that feel fair.

5. Wrap-up
   If you reach agreements, the mediator can help put it in writing (depending on your service/package). Even if you don’t agree on everything, most people leave with more clarity, less chaos, and a next step.

Do we have to be “calm” to do mediation?

Nope. You don’t need to be zen. You just need to be willing to show up and try.

A lot of people start mediation feeling:

• anxious

• angry

• exhausted

• overwhelmed

• shut down

That’s normal. Your mediator’s job is to create structure so the conversation doesn’t spiral.

Is mediation confidential?

In most cases, yes—mediation is private and confidential (with some legal exceptions like threats of harm or abuse/neglect reporting requirements, depending on the situation and location). Your specific confidentiality rules will be explained before you begin.

You have options:

Mediation can be structured in different ways, such as:

• separate intake calls first

• extra boundaries and rules

• breaks as needed

• shuttle-style mediation (where you don’t sit face-to-face), depending on the situation and what you offer

• Sometimes yes you can bring a support person or attorney depending on the case—this is something you can set as a policy.

If there are serious safety concerns, mediation may not be appropriate—and a good mediator will say that.

How long does mediation take?
Some issues are one session, others take a few. It all depends on how both parties will cooperate.

Do I need “proof” or paperwork?
Usually not just yet unless we tell you to. Bring anything you think matters (texts, timelines, agreements), but mediation is more about problem-solving than prosecution.

Do I have to settle or agree with the other party?
No. The goal is progress and clarity. Agreements are the bonus. The whole point of mediation was to avoid thousands in legal fees and endless court dates. So it’s best that you and the other party work together to find some common ground during our session.

In simple terms, the fees you see listed are on a per party basis.

So, each party is responsible for providing their own payment.

If you choose to have one person pay for both parties, be sure to confirm that you are both available for the selected date/time of your session.

It’s important that you select the correct amount of time you wish to have your session for.

Most multi-party conflicts take a minimum of 2 hours to solve even the simplest of topics/issues. Be sure to allocate enough time based on the complexity of your dispute.

For full details on payment and attendance, please view our price sheet below!