A. No. Anyone can register and complete the Online Basic Mediation Training. There are no prerequisites.

A. No. Anyone can register and complete the Online Basic Mediation Training. Many attorneys do choose to complete mediation training. But mediation skills and practice are for everyone! There are no professional requirements to become a mediator.

A. In order to earn a Certificate of Completion you must attend all scheduled sessions of the training. At this time, the training is only offered live. No recordings will be available.

A. The online classroom is hosted within the #MediationIsForEveryone online network. All live sessions are held on Zoom.

A. Training groups are kept to a limited size of 16 participants to ensure that everyone can participate and get individual attention. If a training is full, you can sign up for the waitlist but I cannot add additional seats once 16 people have registered. Also, additional training sessions are scheduled regularly. If the training you wanted to attend is full, check back again soon for additional opportunities.

A. This training provides a solid foundation to begin your mediation practice. For folks interested in joining a New York State Part 146 panel of mediators, this training fulfills the first training requirement. For most people, this training alone will not qualify you to be a mediator. At the least, I highly recommend additional practice under supervision. Many people also choose to take additional training in a specialized area of focus, depending on their interests.

A. At this time I do not offer any advanced specialized trainings. I do sometimes host additional opportunities to learn or practice together. You can stay informed of future offerings by signing up for email updates (subscription form at the bottom of this page).

A. The good news is, anyone can become a mediator. The challenge is that there is no clear path to becoming a professional mediator. Instead, there are many possibilities and opportunities, but it takes motivation, tenacity, and discernment to find the way that works for you. Since there are no professional licensure or accreditation requirements, anyone can be a mediator. To provide a quality service and mediate ethically, practitioners should complete enough training and practice under supervision to meet the general Standards of Conduct for Mediators (read the Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators here).

A. Mediation is an incredibly flexible process that can be applied to almost any context where interpersonal conflict exists. Mediators work with people in the workplace, business, court, families, schools, community organizations, housing, etc. Almost anywhere that people live or work together there is conflict. Anywhere there is conflict, mediation may be helpful.

A. Individuals who identify as Black or BIPOC can register for the training at half cost ($600) by using the discount code BIPOC600 at checkout. For others with financial need, or for Black and BIPOC participants who need a further reduced rate to access the training, I consider all requests on a case by case basis. I do my best to accommodate all requests and, so far, have been able to offer discounts to everyone who has expressed a need. If you would like to request a special discount, email me at elena.sapora@gmail.com. Please include the training you would like to attend and the amount of the discount you are requesting.

A. At the end of the training I will share some general information and resources for folks navigating their next steps in mediation practice. I am also happy to consult individually to provide guidance and resources, as needed. Additionally, all individuals who complete the training are invited to join the #MediationIsForEveryone social network. This is a dedicated online space to build community and share resources and support with others on a similar path.

A. If you haven’t been able to find the information you are looking for and have additional questions, you can fill out the form below and I will respond as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can get more information by emailing me at elena.sapora@gmail.com