The simplest way to resolve conflict is through negotiation, where disputants work through their own problems and reach their own solutions. Where the level of conflict escalates, negotiation is not always possible. Of all the alternative methods of conflict resolution available, mediation provides the best opportunity for a healthy and constructive outcome. In mediation, a trained professional assists the parties in reaching their own solution set forth in a written agreement. The mediator manages the process, but the outcome is entirely in the hands of the parties themselves.
Mediation is an entirely voluntary process.
Although the mediator is carefully trained in specific skills, good mediation is more than a set of techniques. Mediation is a way of restructuring relationships to enhance the quality of life for everyone concerned . This is as true for individuals, couples, and families as for large organizations. It will work for an orderly restructuring of the family in a way that fosters the healing of emotional wounds. Mediation has many advantages over other approaches to conflict resolution.