Mediation by Beratungskollektiv in Berlin

We combine conflict resolution with law and psychology.

We’d like to support you with our expertise in solution-oriented conflict management, we accompany you in finding your own solution. We are impartial, which means that we try to understand and support the concerns and expectations of all parties involved. By rule we are bound to professional discretion, nobody will ever know what happened in the mediation process without your consent.

If you're happy with support from a non-native speaker we invite you to get in touch with us.

Heiko Wolf and Karen Leppien members of the Federal Association Mediation (Bundesverband Mediation e.V., BMEV).

Find out who we are here.

Mediation ist good because...

• In comparison to a lawsuit a mediation costs little and is usually much faster;
• Mediation facilitates win-win-solutions. All involved agree with the solution so that the outcome can last very long;
• There are no losers because all involved have played their part in the solution:
• A mediation can therefore prevent an nasty lawsuit where in the end only the judge decides about the outcome

The advantages of a mediation: Fast, sustainable, favourably priced

...a technique for conflict resolution or to settle disputes

...one or more meetings at which the disputants settled their conflict (with the support of a neutral person) and, at best, resolve it

The technique is basically useful for all those, who find it difficult solving a conflict amicably. 

Mediation can be a useful support in many different areas:

- in private environment: 

family mediation with or without children, in a present relationship, during a divorce/separation, in difficult inheritance situations, in school or kindergarten, between neighbours, between roommates, between tenants and landlord, between people of different generations 

- as commercial mediation or business mediation:

mediation in businesses and organisations between managers, between manager and employee, between employees, in teams when discussing successions, between business partners, in b2c disputes, in workgroups and teams and in the public sector 

- in an intercultural context:

mediation in intercultural families and businesses, in the neighbourhood, in school or kindergarten

It can happen in any kind of situation that those involved in a conflict at some point can’t even talk to each other any more without the conflict escalating. Those involved are not able to solve the conflict themselves, they are too emotionally hurt and personally involved. 

This is where we can help.

All too often settling conversations fail because the conflict is in fact about something completely else than what we talk about. We just don’t dare addressing the underlying problem directly or are just unaware of it. We rather avoid an open argument maybe also because we’re afraid of the rebound.

- It’s not only about factual questions -

We don’t understand the other person, maybe they don’t understand us either. That’s why we can’t find a constructive, mutual solution. Even when this might result in us suffering from awkward personal and/or job-related consequences.

- Previous conversations are hardened -

a settlement without help doesn’t seem possible. When communication is highly dysfunctional and we can’t settle the conflict by ourselves, the technique of mediation can help.

- Mediation is suitable for the resolution of any conflict  -

nevermind its kind, duration or intensity. A person trained in mediation can

• bring you and the person you are in conflict with back into talking, 
• point out your own controversial issues and make you aware ot the issues of the other persons involved 
• help you to understand each other better and
• push processes of clarification and settlement.

For the success of a mediation the following is important: 

• All involved understand there’s a conflict or an awkward situation
• All involved want to finally find a solution
• All involved want to be personally responsible for finding a solution
• All involved want to continue working together or maintain their relationship

The procedure of a mediation is flexible but usually follows this pattern:

• We get to know each other and agree on some ground rules. 
• Then we look at the topics you want to discuss and what priorities you want to set.
• We work on the topics one after another. This is the heart of the mediation, the mediator helps you to settle what matters to you.
• In this context we work together on different option for a solution. Towards the end of a mediation process you check whether one of these options is consensual.  

Clear agreements are very important. If required we can also put any agreement in writing. It is recommendable to have a short evaluation after a few weeks to talk about whether the agreement is realistic and you can put them into effect. 

The duration of a mediation depends entirely on how far the conflict or the fight have escalated and how difficult the issues are. You can find a solution within a few session but it can also take a few weeks of even longer. It usually takes several sessions of 60 to 90 min each. How many session are necessary is eventually up to you. 

An preliminary call is usually free of charge and non-binding, please contact one of us.

The financial investment for a mediation depends on its duration, we bill by the hour. 

You as the involved parties bear the costs usually in equal parts, unless you made other arrangements. Some legal protection insurances also cover mediation, please check this first.