Child-Inclusive Mediation

Centering your child's voice without placing them in the middle.

Child talking with therapist
Our signature service

What is Child-Inclusive Mediation?

 

When parents separate or divorce, children often experience big emotions they don't yet have the words to express. Child-Inclusive Mediation is a research-informed approach that helps parents better understand their child's experience.

The goal is to create parenting plans that truly support your child's emotional, developmental, and relational needs — not just divide time on a calendar.

This process is not about children choosing sides or making adult decisions. Instead, it ensures that their perspective is thoughtfully and professionally understood, then carefully brought into the mediation in a way that supports — not burdens — them.

This approach can be part of a full mediation, part of parenting planning or focused solely on providing your child's voice into your mediation process with another mediator. 

The research

Why include your child's voice?

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They feel heard and emotionally safe Children who know their experience was considered show significantly better long-term emotional outcomes after parental separation.
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Parents understand needs beneath the surface What looks like "acting out" often has a story beneath it. Child-inclusive sessions surface that story.
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Plans reflect developmental reality We build plans that account for who your child actually is — their temperament, their stage, their relationships.
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Conflict is reduced When both parents understand their child's experience from a shared, trusted source, conversations shift from positions to purpose.
How it works

The Child-Inclusive Mediation process

01
Parent Orientation Session We begin with both parents to explain the process, address questions, and establish the ground rules.
02
The Child Consultation Dr. Jones meets privately with your child in a warm, age-appropriate, non-pressured setting to understand their experience, needs, and feelings.
03
The Child Consultant's Report Dr. Jones prepares a report summarizing the child's perspective, framed carefully to protect privacy. Shared with both parents together.
04
Informed Mediation Sessions With the child's perspective in the room (without the child there), parents engage in mediation grounded in real insight.
05
The Parenting Plan Together, you build a parenting plan that reflects your child's actual needs and your family's realities.
Good fit?

Is Child-Inclusive Mediation right for your family?

Even when parents don't agree on everything, child-inclusive mediation often helps shift conversations from positions to purpose — what truly supports your child.

"My role is to guide families through change while preserving what matters most." — Dr. Eliezer Jones, PhD  |  Founder, Lakeshore Mediation
Also consider

Additional Services We Offer

Explore our full range of services to find the right combination for your family's needs.

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Divorce Mediation

Full divorce mediation covering finances, support, communication, and custody — guided collaboratively from start to finish.

Learn more →
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Parenting Planning

Build a comprehensive parenting plan covering schedules, holidays, education, medical decisions, and more — tailored to your family.

Learn more →
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Divorce Coaching

Navigate the emotional side of divorce with the support of a clinically trained therapist — forward-focused and goal-oriented.

Learn more →
🌿

Discernment Mediation

A structured process for couples uncertain about divorce — helping both partners gain genuine clarity before committing to any path.

Learn more →

Ready to put your child first?

Schedule a free consultation to learn whether child-inclusive mediation is the right fit for your family.

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