Kids & Teens in Portland Divorce Mediation

If you have minor children or college-age children, their needs will be served by my commitment to kids and teens. It is rooted in my experience as a child of divorced parents and later as a Spanish teacher and college mentor.

I provide no-cost services to the children (age 12-22) of my divorce mediation clients who are engaged in a full divorce mediation process. Although teens do not participate in adult mediation sessions, they are always offered no-cost sessions with me in a relaxed and confidential setting.

Some may erroneously believe that having a teenager participate in that way would amount to putting the teen "in the middle" of the divorce, but the opposite is true. Having a voice and ensuring that no one and no concern is left behind or forgotten is central to a successful mediation and to my approach.

Even if parents believe that they have strong enough relationships with their children that the teens would come to them with any concerns, divorce presents a unique loyalty bind. My approach provides a thorough mediation process and peace of mind for all involved.

Because I am not a therapist and because I have a casual office, emphasizing comfort and minimizing jargon, kids easily open up and share their concerns and questions. After kids meet with me, many parents and kids find themselves surprised that the kids have spoken so long and openly.

It is common for kids to want to visit with me more than once, which I encourage. Many of them continue to keep in contact with me and visit me in person, even years after mediation. Many of the kids who first met me while they were teenagers (during their parents' divorce mediation processes) are now in their 20s and 30s.