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Shirley Grant
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Highly-experienced individual and family counsellor, psychology qualification, and Grad Dip in Law from Latrobe University.


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IMI Certified Mediator
Australia
Victoria
Family
English
EQP - Experience Qualification Path (Historic)
Mediation Profile

PRIVATE PRACTICE MEDIATOR/ RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLOR Nationally registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (AGD, Canberra). Nationally accredited generalist Mediator (VADR). Relationship Counsellor (Associate Member Australian Psychological Society). BACKGROUND Extensive background, predominantly in high conflict family matters, including property division and parenting disputes. Strong skills in both substantive and psychological aspects of mediation and risk assessment. - Facilitating post-separation parenting and property arrangements within the legislative framework of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). Authorised to issue s60i certificates to enable access to the family court when mediation fails or is inappropriate. Gazetted community mediator - Department of Justice, Victoria (Community, Clubs and Neighbour disputes). Worked with men's helpline as Crisis Counsellor. This developed my understanding of the male perspective, particularly regarding parenting and separation disputes. Also worked as Family Counsellor where an adolescent was at risk of homelessness.

Registered with the Attorney General's Department as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) since since May 2007. National general mediator accreditation since 2014. I have completed over 1,000 mediations, (family, property and community matters), the majority of which resulted in agreement and/ or return for later review.

Mainly Facilitative and Transformative. I have a non-directive style, but will halt proceedings or initiate caucus (private sessions) as necessary to contain excessive conflict and keep parties safe. I believe agreements last longer when parties 'own' both the options and outcome. A thorough individual session with each party prior to joint discussions is invaluable for building rapport and helping parties feel comfortable with the process and with voicing their concerns and opinions along the way, minimising 'surprises' in the joint sessions. My strong social science training provides me with tolerance for disputes with high emotional content, including anger. My broad experience with intense family conflict has led me to develop firm containment skills to keep parties safe, while still creatively acknowledging and validating each party's individual perceptions and needs. Absorbing dissonance in this way, better enables sessions to move forward towards resolution. My training in psychological, communication and cognitive processes means I can coach parties to perform at their best during mediation negotiations and to gain a clearer understanding of what it is they 'really' want to achieve. Family disputes are a good training-ground for disputes where parties must continue to work together post-dispute. The emergence of shared-parenting has made it necessary for parents to build post-separation alliances for the sake of their children, Similar needs occur within workplace and community disputes, where parties must continue to work together or collaborate post the dispute. Skillful interviewing of parties prior to the mediation makes it more likely that all relevant matters are exposed, gathered and brought to the table for resolution. Even though my main experience is with family matters, these skills transfer seamlessly to organisational, community disputes or succession planning.

Post-separation Parenting Agreements. Grandparents, step-parents seeking to negotiate time with their grandchildren/step-children. Parent/Adolescent mediation (including step-parents), Structured Property Agreements post-separation, guided by s79 Australian Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). Mediated agreements may be formalised by your legal practitioner. Relationships - pre and post-nuptial and defacto agreement facilitation. Mediation of issues as opposed to 'counselling' is available for couples as a more solution-focussed option. Community - neighbours, clubs, committees. Workplace mediation. Succession Planning: Passing your business to the next generation, while continuing to provide adequately for your own retirement, can be stressful. Such discussions are often avoided because of the potential conflict and intense reactions triggered. The presence of a skilled mediator, collaboratively working with family accountants and lawyers, can facilitate and contain discussions, keeping parties safe. Using a social science-trained mediator with a deep understanding of the psychological underpinnings of decision-making, sensitively scaffolds and supports parties as they explore viable and sustainable options for the future,

Fees will vary, depending on number of parties and location and number of sessions and whether accommodation is needed. Initial 1-1-1/2 hr individual assessment of each party - $AU200. Joint session rate per 2 hour block or part thereof - $AU400 (plus room rental, travelling and accommodation as required). Parenting matters usually require 1 or 2 x 2hr joint sessions to complete, with review sessions as required. Property division matters will usually require 2-3 x 2hr sessions to cover all considerations as per Family Law Act requirements, depending on size of asset pool and complexity.

International Mediation Institute Certification (IMI) Member Victorian Association for Dispute Resolution (VADR) Associate Member Australian Psychological Society Member Golden Key National Honour Society

Client de-identified 'thank-you's'; "Hi Shirley, Just a thankyou on behalf of H and myself on a successful mediation sitting. We have moved forward and that is thanks to our session with you Shirley. Thanks again, Mark (2013)." - Post-separation parenting mediation. "To Shirley, We appreciate you kind support and advice. You have helped me take a significant step forward. Best wishes, Y and family. (2013)." - Post-separation property division mediation. Please contact me for peer references/reviews.

Training and Education

Non-lawyer mediator with Master's level qualifications in Psychology (Monash) and Graduate Diploma in Law (Latrobe University). Family Dispute Resolution Training (Family Mediation Centre, Victoria) Mediating Property and Financial Matters (Family Mediation Centre and Relationships Australia Training Ground, Victoria) Child Inclusive Family Dispute Resolution - (Attorney Generals' Department, Aust Govt/Family Transitions) Community/Generalist Mediator Training - Dispute Settlement Centre, Victoria.

Publications
Compliance

International Mediation Institute Code of Professional Conduct Victorian Association for Dispute Resolution (VADR) Code of Ethics Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics.

Victorian Association for Dispute Resolution (VADR) (Australia), Complaints process.

AON Professional Liability & Indemnity Insurance - limit $10,000,000.00.

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Shirley Grant
Australia
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