Family & marital mediation helps couples resolve issues they may be having in their marriage regardless of whether they are ready to discuss the possibility of a divorce.

The neutral Chicago’s marital mediator at C.E.L. & Associates, Inc., can help the couple have conversations about some of the same kind of issues they would mediate were they divorcing.

Parenting styles, separate time with the children so that a parent might have time alone or time with a friend, respecting decisions the other might be making in a career or personal situation are all appropriate issues for marital mediation. Agreements may be made about different ways a situation will be handled going forward. Like Pre-decree and Post-decree Divorce Mediation, the mediator is not taking sides in the sessions but facilitating conversations the couple cannot easily have on their own.

Marital Mediation may be appropriate when individual therapy has not been successful or a couple feels they don’t want or have time for in-depth psychotherapy. Marital mediation can work quickly and efficiently to resolve problems that might lead one to divorce if not handled. Improved communication can only happen if the couple is in the room together rather than individual counseling. Marital mediation might seem less threatening than consulting a priest or other religious leader.