Online mediation: conditions and advantages

At first glance, when we think of mediation, and helping professions in general, we mostly think of a face-to-face meeting, around a table with glasses of water and a plant in the corner. The pandemic has changed everything and propelled us into a virtual world that we would not have, or hardly, imagined in this profession before 2020. When it became impossible for us to go to work and receive people in the office, we were faced with a choice: stop offering mediation services to the public until the unknown end of this pandemic, or adapt by using the technological tools at our disposal.

At a time when widespread anxiety, fear, and domestic, and neighborhood conflicts were at their peak, it seemed impossible to close our doors to people in need of support. So we equipped ourselves with computers and began providing online mediation through video conferencing.

Both those receiving mediation and the mediators themselves have learned to manage and overcome the challenges of providing support remotely. To ensure that the mediation framework is respected and that the video process is optimized, it has been necessary to emphasize certain rules applicable to all participants in online mediation, such as:

-have computer equipment (computer, microphone, camera, speakers or headphones) and a working internet connection

-The faces of the participants must be visible at all times during the video conference. This is particularly important in order to be able to read non-verbal communication cues.

- Communicate to all participants the procedure to follow in case of a computer bug, to avoid any stress and prevent the participants from being left alone.

-to settle in a private, quiet and confidential place, where you will not be disturbed (by other people living with you, children or pets)

-make sure not to be interrupted by the doorbell or the phone

Once these conditions are met, the mediation process can take place, following the same procedure as in-person mediation. Now that we can meet in person again, we can ask ourselves what reasons might lead us to choose online mediation. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the advantages of using online mediation, which allows:

- to enable mediators with reduced mobility (disability, illness, elderly people, etc.) to participate in the process without having to travel

-to cope with unforeseen events such as a pandemic, severe weather, etc.

-to allow people not living in the same city or country to access the process

- to be able to find a mediator who speaks your language, even when you live abroad

- a time saving since the mediation is carried out from home; there is no time wasted on transport or difficulty accessing the office

-an ease in finding meeting times and coordinating schedules

-to conduct mediation even in cases where the parties involved do not wish to be face-to-face in the same room as the other party

-to offer a greater sense of security

Therefore, depending on your situation and needs, online mediation may be the preferred option to support you!