Training

Become a Mediator

Community Mediation Services provides expert training for people interested in learning to become a certified mediator or just interested in upgrading their skills. Each year we offer a series of beginning and advanced trainings in mediation for people interested in learning the philosophy, process, and practice of community mediation.

Our offerings include the 40 hour Basic Mediation Training

STEP ONE

Take the 40-Hour Professional Mediation Training

The training will provide you with an understanding of interest-based mediation, the mediation process, conflict styles, anger arousal, and how to differentiate between the surface issues of a conflict and the underlying needs and values.

STEP TWO

Get Certified

Community Mediation Services offers a Practicum Certification Program for individuals who have completed the basic mediation training and wish to become certified mediators under Resolution Washington guidelines. The cost for this certification is $300.

  • Complete and submit a take-home exam
  • Receive one-on-one qualitative evaluation of your exam
  • Observe at least 6 mediation cases and submit observation forms
  • Complete a final mock co-mediation
  • Co-mediate 6 to 10 mediation cases with a certified mediator
Apply Today

STEP THREE

Mediate

You are now eligible to mediate conflicts between co-workers, consumer and businesses landlords and tenants, friends, and neighbors. To remain an active CMS mediator, you must mediate at least 2 cases per year.

STEP FOUR

Continuing Training Requirements & Advancement

Annual certified mediators are required to attend a minimum of 10 hours of additional mediation training.  Training hours include:

  1. Classes, conferences and in-service trainings
  2. Teaching, coaching or mentoring
  3. Peer review, self-study, reading and roundtable participation
  4. Mock mediations and training facilitation

Advance your mediation skills by specializing in more complex types of cases.  Some examples of specialized mediation are:

  1. Family Mediation
    1. Divorce
    2. Parenting Plans
    3. Elder Care
    4. Restorative Practices in Schools
  2. Multi-Party Mediation
  3. Foreclosure Mediation
  4. Workplace Mediation

Ready to Get Started?

Upcoming Trainings