Louisiana is a state that is multi – disciplined when it comes to family mediation. What that means is that there are several types of people who can serve as family mediators. Mediators come from several disciplines. To be a family mediator in Louisiana under Louisiana Revised Statute 9:334, the person must be licensed as an attorney, psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, marriage and family counselor, professional counselor, or clergyman and complete 40 hours of general and family mediation training.
The mediation training that mediators take must include instruction in the following areas:
(1) the Louisiana judicial system and judicial procedure in family and divorce cases;
(2) Ethics, confidentiality, and conflicts of interest;
(3) Child development, including the impact of divorce on development;
(4) Family systems theory;
(5) Communication skills; and
(6) The mediation process and how to draft the mediation agreement.
So, if you are considering using a family mediator in Louisiana, you may wish to inquire about the mediator's background and the training that he or she has received. In Louisiana, mediators are said to be “qualified mediators,” not “certified mediators.” Like most states, Louisiana does not certify mediators. Thus, if you find a mediator who declares that he or she is certified, please ask “From what group, organization, or body did you receive your certification?” You will quickly find that the mediator is not actually certified.
At Mediation Training Company, located in the Great New Orleans area, we provide training in family mediation, conflict resolution, arbitration, civil mediation, and online mediation training. For more information, please browse our web site or contact us on the Internet at www.mediationtrainingcompany.com or by phone at (504) 302-2462.