PM Mediation

03/14/2017

"The vulnerability that comes from not knowing creates an opening in me. I can feel more connected to more of the world when I admit my uncertainties than when I settle for an answer that closes off my curiosity. This can also happen between me and the parties I’m trying to help in my work." Gary Friedman on Living In Tension. Click here for the entire blog post: http://understandinginconflict.org/living-in-tension/

A key skill for conflict professionals is the ability to live with the variety of tensions that present themselves to us as a regular part of our work life, particularly the tension of sitting in the middle of differences between parties. Now, many of us are being tested as never before by the polit...

01/30/2017

Teepa Snow is considered one of America’s leading educators on dementia. She’s an advocate for those living with dementia and has made it her personal mission to help families and professionals better understand how it feels to be living with the challenges and changes that accompany various forms of the condition so that life can be lived fully and well. She explains that dementia is not a memory problem, " it means brain failure and causes many changes, chemically and structurally". In this clip, she describes the stages of change:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkRvK26bkTQ

01/16/2017

My second article for The Independent discusses an alternative to counseling that helps couples communicate in a different way and stay together: Couples Mediation

My spouse and I are having difficulties but therapy is not for me. What now?

In past years, couples experiencing conflict had only 2 paths to follow: counseling or divorce. But what if the couple didn’t want an archaeological exploration of past family behavior or accept that the issues between them were so insurmountable that the only answer was to walk away? Then what?

The good news is there is another option: Couples Mediation. It’s really more of a new application than a new process. Mediators have been helping couples resolve conflicts for years and it turns out these same skills can be used to avoid, rather than ease, divorce! This process is helpful for those couples that want to stay together. It differs from counseling or therapy in avoiding discussions of historical reasons behind problematic behaviors. It focuses instead on the specific areas of friction between the two partners, and teaches them how to communicate with one another more constructively, in order to find solutions. While a greater understanding of the others’ feelings may well be an important part of the conversations that lead to behavioral change, delving deeply into the reasons behind the behavior is in many cases unnecessary. A mutual willingness to “do things differently” in the future may well be enough! Also, for those uncomfortable with the idea of therapy, mediation appears as a more practical and therefore more desirable, approach to problem-solving.

Want to learn more? Let’s talk!

Contact Patti Murphy at PM Mediation (www.pmmediation.com), [email protected] or (647) 328 – 3167.

When small changes in perception and understanding occur, profound transformation happens. You begin to see the world around you differently. You become aware of your inner resources that connect you with your unbounded creativity. From this level of consciousness you view your choices differently...

11/01/2016

To further expand my work with families, I'm becoming certified as a facilitator with Essential Conversation Project. An essential conversation is a facilitated process through which families discuss and make plans for family caregiving, retirement, estate planning, and a myriad of other life transition issues. Many of the families referred to us are living with at least one chronic health condition, such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. I recently learned of a wonderful music program created by the Alzheimer's Society in response to overwhelming evidence showing the beneficial effects of music on people living with dementia. Those who register receive an ipod with a personalized playlist, at no cost. To learn more, click here http://musicproject.ca/about. Care and share!

ABOUT THE ALZHEIMER SOCIETY Founded in 1978, the Alzheimer Society is the leading nationwide health charity for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. VISION A world without Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. ROLE To offer support, information and education to people affec...

09/21/2016

SPLIT - A film for Kids and Parents of Divorce from award winning film-maker Ellen Bruno and 12 amazing kids. http://www.splitfilm.org/watch_trailer.html

SPLIT is a deeply personal film made that explores the effects of divorce on children. The film features twelve children aged 6-12, who explore the often frightening and always life altering separation of their parents.

08/23/2016

Welcome to PM Mediation! As many of you know, after living abroad for many years, I moved back to Canada with my family in November 2014. My mediation practice that I created in NYC continues but looks a little different - so I decided my page should reflect the changes I've made. I've expanded my services to include not only family matters but other areas where conflict arises between members of our communities. This page will offer helpful information and resources such as articles, books and program suggestions that provide different ideas on how we can understand, resolve and move through conflict in our lives. I hope you find the information I post interesting and helpful. Enjoy! Share! And check out my new website: pmmediation.com.

10/30/2014

THE COURAGE TO HEAL FROM DIVORCE - A FREE WORKSHOP http://ow.ly/Dzvx3

Rivka A. Edery, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.Author of: “Trauma and Transformation: A 12-Step Guide"*E-mail: [email protected] *Tel: (646) 691 –...

08/18/2014

Shifting their love to remain good friends and parents. Read on: http://ow.ly/ArpXz

Valerie and Clark Tate’s wedding took place in 2000, and while they “unhitched” in 2007, they remain legally married, share a home and are raising...

07/04/2014

The best way to be more free is to grant more freedom to others. Let the EX go and claim your independence. http://ow.ly/yMLtD

Break-Up Recovery Starts Here

06/28/2014

Getting a divorce late in life can sabotage retirement plans as assets are cut in half and expenses as a divorced single rise. Read on ...
http://ow.ly/yyBKs

Getting a divorce late in life can sabotage retirement plans as assets are cut in half and expenses as a divorced single rise.

04/27/2014

Even if the "issue" seems obvious to you, sometimes your spouse, child or friend just needs you to listen .... http://ow.ly/wdcmA

"Don't try to fix it. I just need you to listen." Every man has heard these words. And they are the law of the land. No matter what.

04/21/2014

“For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning."

(Little Gidding)”
― T.S. Eliot