M E D I A T I O N 1 0 1

The Process

Our structured conversations resolve disputes outside of court saving you thousands in legal fees. We guide you through respectful dialogue and help you find solutions that work for everyone, regardless if it’s virtual or in-person.

Listed below, we explain commonly used vocabulary terms that may be confusing, the mediation process broken down by common questions we get, and we listed off common scenarios we handle.

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Let’s Get Some Visuals & Vocab

SINGLE PARTY

Just You
Pricing is per party, so the price you see is what your side pays. Example: you and your ex are two separate parties, so you'd each pay. Or one of you can pay for both parties collectively.
MULTI-PARTY

You vs. Someone (or a group)
You don't need an attorney for mediation. Most disputes get resolved without one, though you're always welcome to bring counsel if your situation is more complex.
PROFESSIONALS

An attorney, judge, educator, HR/workplace lead, or any business professional
We have a dedicated page for your Professional needs here. We've got you and your team covered.

Here are more terms you will see:

The person or party who starts the case or formally asks for something to be addressed. The exact word used may depend on the type of case. This does not automatically mean they caused the problem. It simply means they are the one asking for the issue to be reviewed, resolved, or decided.
There are key differences to each one:
- Plaintiff is most common in civil lawsuits.
- Claimant is often used in claims-based matters, like insurance, benefits, or certain administrative cases.
- Petitioner is often used when someone files a petition with a court, such as in family law, probate, protective orders, name changes, or certain special proceedings.
The person or party responding to the case or dispute. This does not automatically mean they are at fault. It just means a claim, complaint, or request has been made involving them, and they have the opportunity to respond. It’s usually in your best interest to respond in order to avoid any possible legal repercussions.
A lawyer representing a person, business, or organization in a legal matter. “Counsel” is another word you may see for an attorney. Some attorneys work for a law firm, while others work independently in solo practice. Mediation does’t require you to have one. Depending on the severity of the circumstance, it may be best to have one. Keep in mind that attorney fees are entirely separate from our fees here at The Truce Room.
A settlement is an agreement reached by the parties to resolve a dispute without needing a judge or jury to decide the outcome. It’s when the parties come to a mutual understanding about certain terms, responsibilities, or next steps. In mediation, this may be written down/typed and signed if a resolution is reached.
Keep in mind, by coming to a settlement/agreement, you are in control of the outcome of the dispute.
If you choose to escalate your matter to court, then you will have a judge or jury decide the outcome. That means that you may not get the outcome you wanted and you’d be paying more to attorney fees, filing fees, and court costs.

L E T ‘ S B R E A K I T D O W N

The Mediation Process

The key to empowerment is knowledge. It’s important that you’re informed, its the only way to make a responsible decision.

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 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. This is your conflict, and hopefully your resolution.
Absolutely!
We get it. Life happens. Sometimes it’s impossible for schedules to align during traditional work hours. That’s why we are flexible!
We are definitely open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week.
After-hours, we are available upon request. Which is from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Weekends, we are also available upon request. Those times are flexible.
To be clear, spots do fill up fast and sometimes, we aren’t available due to personal constraints. Please be sure to always check availability before booking!
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 Fees & Policies page.