Mediation in London and Woodstock
Family Mediation
Participating in The Counselling House Family Mediation Services in London and Woodstock allows you to engage in a voluntary process in which a couple or family attempts to resolve their disputes during a separation or divorce.
- Mediators help each individual and the family identify key issues and work through them.
- The mediator works to ensure that both parties` perspectives are considered.
- The mediator will not take sides, make decisions for the family, or give legal advice.
What Types of Issues can be Mediated?
- When to separate
- How to separate
- Custody and access issues
- Spousal support
- Child support
- Division of property
- Parenting arrangements that can be mediated as the children age
How do I know if mediation is for me?
- You are willing to try to work out a solution
- You feel safe meeting with the other party to discuss presenting issues
- You are able and willing to communicate your needs
- You are willing and able to listen to the other party`s concerns
The Counselling House Mediation Services provide support for families going through separation
Benefits of mediation include:
- It is voluntary
- High success rate
- Allows parties to work out their own solutions
- Can improve communication between parties
- Can be less expensive and formal than court
- It is private
- It is better for your children
Mediation does not take place of each party having a lawyer, and each party is encouraged to seek prior legal counsel prior to attending mediation.
Our Team
Moira Cook
About Moira
For about a decade, Moira practiced law at a prestigious downtown Bay Street firm, specializing in estate litigation, which often involves resolving family disputes over money. Throughout her legal career, Moira participated in numerous mediations, skillfully settling disputes without the need for further litigation. Her extensive experience in estate litigation has provided her with a deep understanding of how to negotiate settlements, draft comprehensive agreements, and anticipate factors that courts consider during trials.
Moira’s background as a lawyer has equipped her with the skills to navigate the complexities of the legal system, emphasizing the benefits of mediation to avoid the hassle and expense of courtroom battles. Transitioning from law to psychotherapy, Moira brings a unique blend of legal expertise and psychological insight to her mediation practice. She recognizes the intense emotions that accompany family and personal disputes and leverages her dual expertise to facilitate effective resolutions.
Trained to handle mediations with a focus on identifying common ground and overcoming sticking points, Moira works diligently to achieve outcomes that all parties can accept. She specializes in family disputes, including divorce and estate matters, but is also open to exploring mediations in other areas.
Moira holds a degree in Sociology, a law degree from Osgoode Hall, and a Masters in Counselling Psychology, making her well-equipped to handle the intricate dynamics of family and personal conflicts with empathy and professionalism.
Specializations:
- Family Disputes
- Divorce Mediation
- Estate Matters
- General Mediation Services
Qualifications:
- Degree in Sociology
- Law Degree from Osgoode Hall
- Masters in Counselling Psychology
With her comprehensive background, Moira is committed to providing mediation services that are both legally sound and emotionally supportive, helping clients navigate their disputes with clarity and compassion.
Moira Cook, LL.B,
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
CRPO 17662
Laurie Ponsford-Hill
About Laurie
The Counselling House, has provided mediation services for many years under the supervision of Laurie. Laurie has provided mediation as well as through the Ontario Family Court System in London, St Thomas and Sarnia.
Throughout her mediation career, Laurie has provided couple, family and organizational/workplace mediations involving complicated matters of conflict, skillfully settling disputes, without the need for further litigation.
Laurie is an Accredited Family Mediator (AccFM) and Arbitrator through the Ontario Association of Family Mediators and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario (ADRIO). Laurie holds mediation certifications from the University of Western Ontario and University of Waterloo and is a Certified Anger Management and Domestic Violence Specialist.
Laurie is a Registered Psychotherapist, social worker and marriage and family therapist and holds a Master of Divinity and Pastoral Care and is an ordained minister.
Specializations:
- Family-couples disputes
- Landlord tenant disputes
- Elder disputes
- Church disputes and Christian based mediation
- Workplace conflict
With Laurie’s comprehensive background, team of specialists in psychotherapy, social work, law and finance, The Counselling House is committed to providing mediation services that are both legally sound, emotionally supportive and financially fair.
Zohar Romm
Legal and Family Mediator, Psychotherapist
About Zohar
As a psychotherapist with a background in legal and family mediation, I employ a compassionate therapeutic approach to resolving conflicts. With years of experience in both mental health and mediation, I help families and individuals navigate emotionally charged disputes, from divorce and custody arrangements to broader family disagreements.
Psychotherapy allows me to create a supportive, neutral space where all voices are heard, ensuring that each party feels understood and respected. Through a combination of empathy, effective communication techniques, and conflict resolution strategies, I work to achieve solutions that prioritize emotional well-being and healthy relationships.
I am committed to helping families find peaceful resolutions, focusing not just on the legal and family dynamics of mediation, but also on the mental and emotional needs of everyone involved. My goal is to guide you through difficult times with care and understanding, so you can move forward with clarity and peace of mind.
Individual
We work with individuals in exploring new approaches to the issues they may be dealing with. This may include problem-solving techniques, healthy decision making, and cognitive and behavioural strategies for coping and managing thoughts, feelings and behaviour.
Facilitations for groups, teams, co-workers created specifically for each area of concern and can be used in a meeting, intervention, or facilitated event.
Focused Conversation Method
can be used with any sized group in order to discuss a past experience and establish facts to;
- Explore a topic in-depth
- Dig deeper
- Clarify
- Evaluate
- Explore
- Reflect
Consensus Workshop
can be used to clarify larger patterns and find individual answers using brainstorming to;
- Bring ideas together to create something new
- Clarify consensus
- Unearthing information and perspectives
- Allows connections to be built
Conferencing
A conference is a forum for people dealing with wrongdoing and conflict. All participants can speak, express their feelings and have a say in the outcome allowing those who are affected by a problem to decide how to respond to it.
- For families who are affected by a decision that needs to be made about; finances, drug use, planning for placement of an elderly parent, decision making due to pregnancy or adoption…
- When a wrong has been committed in a community or family by a member…
- When a community member or family member has created a challenge for other community/family members…
