This accredited mediation course teaches you the skills of professional mediation. It will teach you how to tackle conflict head-on, helping people shift from defensive positions to workable solutions. This course will allow you to create a safe and supportive atmosphere so that people caught in the conflict zone feel safe talking through their differences and difficulties. You’ll listen in a way that helps people to get clearer on what’s really important to them and facilitate people to resolve issues, so they can draw a line under them and move on. And you’ll have the tools to stay calm, compassionate and clear-headed throughout.
About this mediation training course
| Type: | Blended: online modules, trainer-led webinars on Zoom + 4 in-person full days |
| Duration: | 5 x 1/2 day webinars, 4 days in-person plus 20 hours out of class online modules and practice |
| Dates: | Next dates TBC – Autumn 2025 |
| Assessment: | TBC |
| Venue: | The Hive, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim |
| Investment: | TBC |
| Booking: | Register your interest online and I will be in touch to arrange your enrollment. |
Who is this mediation training course for?
Past participants have included line managers, senior managers, HR managers, school principals, solicitors, coaches, counsellors, and social workers. This course would suit anyone who has an interest in understanding the dynamics and skills of conflict resolution.
The only pre-requisite to attend is proficiency in spoken English (so you can participate effectively in the videoed roleplay assessment).
“Leaders who are mediators will outperform… because they know how to build partnerships and alliances that are the key to enduring success.”
Mark Gerzon
Could you benefit from mediation skills?
Does this sound like you? You want to get things done. You want to be able to make and implement decisions. But working collaboratively and bringing people on board is also important to you. You don’t just want lip service and surface compliance and nodding dogs. But neither do you want to have to argue every single point and deal with constant resistance.
Managing people isn’t easy. Everyone is different. They have different points of view. What suits one doesn’t work for the other. What motivates one is a problem for another. Whether it’s furrowed brows, sighing, eyes-to-heaven in a meeting, to having to calm down angry outbursts and get people to see some sense, your people-skills are stretched to breaking point at times. It’s frustrating, tiring, and stressful.
Mediation training can arm you, not just with the skillset, but with the mindset and grounding you need, to resolve conflict with ease and confidence.
“Mary was a fantastic trainer with a huge knowledge and a wealth of hands-on experience.
Role plays were a core part of the training and I got individual coaching and mentoring following each role play.
I would highly recommend this course, I gained valuable skills that I can use in both my professional and personal life.“
Role plays were a core part of the training and I got individual coaching and mentoring following each role play.
I would highly recommend this course, I gained valuable skills that I can use in both my professional and personal life.“
“When starting the course I was concerned that I would be unable to resist “jumping in” or “trying to direct” as this is what is expected in my professional life. However, with time, it became natural to actively listen to what was being said and began to recognise the person’s “interest” behind their stated position.
The small number in the class facilitated engagement and learning – no question was dismissed or considered unimportant. The course was intense, but the support given by Mary meant that while the bar was set high, it was always possible to succeed in the task set.
Since the course ended, I find I am listening better in all situations and am conscious that people can find their best solutions and work out problems and I have been slower to offer solutions giving people every opportunity to explore their own ideas in full.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this training, and particularly our Tutor, Mary Rafferty, to anyone who is considering training to be a Mediator, it is a great launching-pad!”
The small number in the class facilitated engagement and learning – no question was dismissed or considered unimportant. The course was intense, but the support given by Mary meant that while the bar was set high, it was always possible to succeed in the task set.
Since the course ended, I find I am listening better in all situations and am conscious that people can find their best solutions and work out problems and I have been slower to offer solutions giving people every opportunity to explore their own ideas in full.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this training, and particularly our Tutor, Mary Rafferty, to anyone who is considering training to be a Mediator, it is a great launching-pad!”
“I would highly recommend this training course. It was structured extremely well and was engaging from the beginning to the end. Coming into the course, my background and experience was in the area of adversarial disputes and procedures. The mediation programme taught me a whole range of new skills in a process (i.e. mediation) that is markedly different from the adversarial system that I am used to: facilitating the parties to come to amicably agreeable solutions, engaging with parties in a facilitative manner, asking effective and appropriate questions and exploring issues in a targeted and appropriate way.
One of the most prominent skills that I learned was the ability to refrain from imposing my own beliefs or judgment on a particular matter, but rather act in an entirely objective and facilitative way. It was particularly interesting how engaging the classes were with all of the members of the class practicing and learning together and each learning from one another’s mistakes as we became more familiar with the process of mediation, and the dos and don’ts.“
One of the most prominent skills that I learned was the ability to refrain from imposing my own beliefs or judgment on a particular matter, but rather act in an entirely objective and facilitative way. It was particularly interesting how engaging the classes were with all of the members of the class practicing and learning together and each learning from one another’s mistakes as we became more familiar with the process of mediation, and the dos and don’ts.“
“After 35 years, I thought I’d got all the courses; this mediation training course has had a huge impact on me.
As a Senior Business Partner in HR after being a line manager for 35 years, my inherited tendency was to “solutionise”. This course with Mary Rafferty showed us how to get to get to heart of problems by using the mediation process.
Others have noticed and so have I – subtle but necessary changes.
I would recommend this programme to any manager – in the line or not. It will arm you with tools where staff will see your targets as theirs and it will extend the range of your success.”
As a Senior Business Partner in HR after being a line manager for 35 years, my inherited tendency was to “solutionise”. This course with Mary Rafferty showed us how to get to get to heart of problems by using the mediation process.
Others have noticed and so have I – subtle but necessary changes.
I would recommend this programme to any manager – in the line or not. It will arm you with tools where staff will see your targets as theirs and it will extend the range of your success.”
“The mediation training was very educational and it was also a very enjoyable experience. Mary is very professional in her approach and the venue, delivery of the training and the materials provided are excellent. Mary provides brilliant support and encouragement throughout the training and there is also a lovely mix of humour. Some of the learning throughout the training involves learning about the process of mediation, styles of managing conflict and it provides a lens to view conflict in a very different light. There are a significant amount role plays which provides an excellent opportunity to practice the skills, enhance learning and an opportunity to learn from others on the training. This training equips you with valuable life skills and I would definitely recommend it.”
“I attended the Mediation Training and my primary motivation was to improve my mediation and dispute resolution capabilities in work. I found the course to be extremely helpful in developing these skills and have already used them to good effect in both work and non-work environments.
What I really liked about the course was the use of role play to ensure that learning was ingrained.
Mary’s considered style and thoughtful questions really made me think about how I approached problem solving. I have become much more effective at delegating and helping parties to come up with their own solutions to problems rather than always believing that I needed to do this.
I would strongly recommend this course, and Mary as teacher, to anyone wishing to develop problem solving and mediation skills that will help them in their work and personal life.”
What I really liked about the course was the use of role play to ensure that learning was ingrained.
Mary’s considered style and thoughtful questions really made me think about how I approached problem solving. I have become much more effective at delegating and helping parties to come up with their own solutions to problems rather than always believing that I needed to do this.
I would strongly recommend this course, and Mary as teacher, to anyone wishing to develop problem solving and mediation skills that will help them in their work and personal life.”
“Mary is an outstanding facilitator who modelled excellent mediation skills throughout the course. She responded thoughtfully and comprehensively to participants’ questions. She encouraged and challenged everyone to learn.“
“From day one, the course builds knowledge of a process that helps to get beyond the point where both parties are dug in to a position, teaches you how to uncover the issues and concerns of both parties, and gives you the tools to help both parties to get to a point where they can find common ground and reach an agreement that is acceptable to them both. That is the process of mediation and it is very powerful.
The process reinforced using role plays that were as close to reality as you can get without being in an actual situation.
Mary is an excellent trainer who was very patient and encouraging and kept things moving along at just the right pace. I learned a lot of things that I will use, not just in mediation, but in everyday life.”
The process reinforced using role plays that were as close to reality as you can get without being in an actual situation.
Mary is an excellent trainer who was very patient and encouraging and kept things moving along at just the right pace. I learned a lot of things that I will use, not just in mediation, but in everyday life.”
“I found the course to be very beneficial, I have completed a number of conflict resolution courses but this course taught me the benefits of listening and allowing people time to work through their issues and hear themselves. I enjoyed the theory but the role plays allowed for real life situations and the roadblocks you can encounter during a dispute.
I would highly recommend this course and have done.“
I would highly recommend this course and have done.“
“Mary was a totally professional facilitator. She was a talented teacher, engaging, supportive, encouraging and light-hearted while at the same time ensuring that each individual developed as a competent mediator. Her attention to detail and to each individual was extremely impressive. She just made it all so easy, we hardly knew we were being challenged. I can recommend this programme and Mary as facilitator in the very highest terms and without reservation to all aspiring mediators.”
“Mary’s style of delivery was intelligent, professional with a lovely dash of humour, I would recommend this course wholeheartedly. All was excellent, informative and thoroughly enjoyable.”
“The patience displayed and encouragement continually offered throughout was most welcome as was clearly the course content so well delivered. It will be of huge value to me in my legal work. Many thanks again-a really informative, beneficial and interesting 6 days“
Learning outcomes
This training course will transform your negotiating and influencing skills
You can see some examples of the learning outcomes achieved by past participants here
Here’s what you can expect from the course:
- The course structure – 3 x 2-day modules, spread over a 5/6-week period – allows time to digest what you’ve learned and keep up with the written coursework.
- You’ll get hours of practical, skills-based roleplay training where you get to hone your skills as a mediator, in a relaxed and fun learning environment.
- You will also receive individualised, ongoing feedback and mentoring as well as a video of yourself mediating (the good, the bad and the ugly…) so you can appreciate your own progress.
- The written work supports you to understand the legal and regulatory aspects of mediation (so you follow ‘best practice’).
- The reflective learning journal you will have to keep throughout the programme helps integrate and consolidate your learning (without having to work too hard!).
- You’ll have access to a bank of resource materials – from handy templates you can use with clients (‘Sample Agreements to Mediate’, ‘Preparing for Mediation Worksheets’) to academic papers which give you in-depth background knowledge on mediation and its application.
- I will also provide constructive feedback in a non-judgmental and supportive way and check in regularly with you to ensure you are progressing towards achieving your goals.
This mediation training course will help you:
- Create a safe and supportive atmosphere so that people caught in the conflict zone feel safe talking through their differences and difficulties
- Listen in a way that helps people to get clearer on what’s really important to them
- Facilitate people to resolve issues, so they can draw a line under them, and move on
- Stay calm, compassionate, and clear-headed throughout