LKW Family Mediation

LKW Family Mediation LKW Family Mediation helps separating couples talk through the arrangements they will make for their

Here is some more feedback from a client of LKW Family Mediation's. We collect the feedback and share it anonymously so...
29/05/2026

Here is some more feedback from a client of LKW Family Mediation's. We collect the feedback and share it anonymously so that others can get a better idea of what it's like to work with us.

We are so grateful that our clients are able to trust us during one of the most difficult times of their lives.

This is both common and frustrating and there can be 3 reasons for this:1. When a couple separates there is a grief pro...
27/05/2026

This is both common and frustrating and there can be 3 reasons for this:

1. When a couple separates there is a grief process that happens. Sometimes one person has travelled some of it by the time they tell the other person they want to separate. This can mean that the people involved are at different places in this process. If at each stage it's like talking a different language (as a brilliant mediator once explained to me) then it's no wonder your conversations don't make sense to each other.

2. One of the reasons relationships break down is a lack of communication. Maybe you feel you can't tell your partner how you feel because they won't react in a way that is positive for you. Maybe they can't handle what you need to say or maybe you feel you don't care. When you haven't communicated meaningfully or properly for some time it means post-separation communication can be coming from a place neither of you understand.

3. It's hard talking about what happens next after a separation. When things are hard we often talk in code or euphemisms or we rush what we're saying because it feels scary and unknown. So sometimes what you're saying isn't clear to the other person even though you know exactly what you're saying. This can lead to miscommunications and misunderstandings.

Whatever the reasons for this it's one of the ways in which family mediation helps when you separate because a mediator will always look to properly understand what each of you are saying and that each of you are understanding what the other is trying to say - even if that takes a bit of time.

For more information about family mediation have a look at the LKW Family Mediation website. You can book a free 10 minute chat with a mediator there too.

https://lkwfamilymediation.co.uk/services-for-those-going-through-a-separation/

27/05/2026

The but on getting professional support for anyone going through a separation.

There are some significant life events that come with a ton of urban legends about someone someone knows you had the wor...
25/05/2026

There are some significant life events that come with a ton of urban legends about someone someone knows you had the worst time imaginable. Like childbirth divorce is sadly one of those. Everyone seems to know someone who spend a eye watering amount of money, took 10 years to sort everything out or dealt with the world's worst ex.

It can make you panicky and fearful when you hear these stories. Especially so if you're worried about certain aspects of your divorce. The good news is hat such stories tend to be the exception rather than the rule.

Family mediation helps a separating couple work together to create a resolution and a set of next steps that works for them and meets everyone's needs. There might be compromises along the way but those are looked at comprehensively and discussed so everyone makes the concessions they feel OK with.

A family mediator provides information and facilitates discussion to keep things on track so you know you are taking the best steps for you, and doing what's needed from a legal perspective.

For more information about family mediation either comment or DM your questions or have a look at the LKW Family Mediation website. You can book a 10 minute phone call with a mediator to find out more.

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/96d803a5

One of the really difficult things about separation is financially supporting two homes instead of one. As a couple you...
23/05/2026

One of the really difficult things about separation is financially supporting two homes instead of one. As a couple you may have just about made ends meet in one home or you might have found things were pretty good in one home but adding two homes into the mix can create a strain.

Lots of parents choose to work part time or flexibly so that they can be a present parent as well as earning money and having a career. Separation can challenge this and when, in family mediation meetings, we're looking at how to create two homes from one, the reality can be that one parent, or both parents needs to earn more money to make it work.

This is something that always touches and resonates with me. One of the reasons I set up LKW Family mediation in 2013 was because I had two small children and I could not see how I could manage being the present parent I wanted to be with having a career and earning the salary I needed to for our household finances.

I knew that I was enjoying my mediation work more than my lawyer work but could I really make that a full time career and not lawyer any more? At the time very few people had done this. I took a giant leap of faith that I could make it work and the three things that served me well were:

1. I had an unshakeable belief that it would succeed even when many times what was in front of me told me it might not.

2. I was absolutely passionate about how mediation could help and that I would work in a professional, ethical, empathetic and compassionate way to help others.

3. I was helped by so many brilliant people along the way AND I got over my own fears about asking people for help and guidance (which was not easy!).

So if this is you right now worrying about making it work I see you and I am living proof that things can work out the right way in the end.

This can make you worried about trying family mediation. If you've been in a relationship where you didn't feel listene...
19/05/2026

This can make you worried about trying family mediation. If you've been in a relationship where you didn't feel listened to and that your suggestions were never taken on board then it's no wonder you might feel reticent, fearful or concerned about coming into family mediation. These 3 things may help to reassure you:

1. Everyone has an initial meeting with a mediator on their own. The mediator will check if mediation is suitable and looking at whether there has been abuse and control in the relationship is an essential part of this. It also helps the mediator to understand your concerns so they know what is needed of them as the mediator if mediation is to go ahead.

2. Mediators are highly trained and although there is a great deal of flexibility, mediation is a prescribed process. It is very different to simply talking about things round your kitchen table. The mediator's job is to ensure each person is able to have their say and that they are understanding what each other are saying. The mediator also helps you to stay on track rather than going off on different tangents.

3. If you decide to try mediation it doesn't mean you're signing up to come to meetings until things are resolved. If it's not working then you can flag this and the mediator will likely want to talk about it too. Sometimes mediation might end or pause because the time has come to try another process or because some other support might be needed before mediation can resume.

If you have questions about mediation then give LKW Family Mediation a call on 01306 320520 or email [email protected] or you can book a 10 minute chat with a mediator online via the website (find the link via my bio).

In just over a month LKW Family Mediation will be 13 years old. Yes my mediation practice becomes a teenager 😂So much h...
18/05/2026

In just over a month LKW Family Mediation will be 13 years old. Yes my mediation practice becomes a teenager 😂

So much has changed in those 13 years for me personally and in mediation the landscape of family justice. There is a much greater emphasis on mediation and resolving issues caused by separation without going to court. When I first set up there was not the requirement to attend a MIAMS meeting before going to court, or a requirement to provide information on what NCDR processes you used as part of court proceedings.

I've had the privilege of working with some incredible clients during those 13 years and learning how best to help them. This is an ongoing journey that will never end because there is always more to learn. I honestly thing the more I learn the more I realise there is to learn.

In the last 5 years I've also had the honour of having colleagues in Emma and Michelle and it has been such a tonic to have team meetings and to not just be in my own head. I've never believed I have all the answers on anything and so hearing other perspectives it is always helpful in looking at our work.

I've also been lucky enough to supervise a number of mediators in the last 10 years. This is a 2 way process and I learn from them as much as they learn from me. Having done it myself and having supervised a number of mediators through this process now (and being an assessor on the other side of it!) I am acutely aware of how difficult it is to get through the accreditation process. Getting mediation work and documenting this can take over your life, body and soul and so often people don't have that much to give it whilst managing another career and the demands of life generally.

The vast majority of us believe mediation can be helpful for lots of people but that does not translate into anyone who qualifies as a mediator easily getting work. In an ideal world all mediators would be nurtured and supported in house to develop their practice. Unfortunately we do not have the infrastructure for that (yet!) so lots of people have to find ways of getting work on their own and this can be an uphill challenge.

For a while now I've run a webinar on Growing a Mediation Practice a couple of times a year but often it's not at the right time for people and I haven't had time to run it more often. But I have now turned it into an online self-study course that you can access at any point with all of the learning from the original webinar. As a launch it is only £47 and I am offering a 10% discount for the first people who try it as I would like feedback.

So message me to get your discount code, or drop me an email if you're a mediator looking for the skills to generate more of your own work (regardless of whether you're a newbie mediator, someone who has been trying for a while or an accredited mediator). Link to the course below.

https://payhip.com/b/rKWgh

Let's have a feedback Friday where we share feedback our clients have provided to help you understand what it might be l...
14/05/2026

Let's have a feedback Friday where we share feedback our clients have provided to help you understand what it might be like to work with us at LKW Family Mediation. We're always so grateful our clients trust us during this difficult period in their lives.

There are three things to say to you if you resonate with this:1. You really don't need to feel silly. Couples arrange...
12/05/2026

There are three things to say to you if you resonate with this:

1. You really don't need to feel silly. Couples arrange chores, childcare, finances and other matters according to what works for them. As long as they are together they don't often give this division of things another thought. It's only separation that makes people question this. Don't beat yourself up.

2. You need to know that a normal and essential part of sorting out issues after a separation is getting financial information together so that both people involved in the separation properly understand their financial situation. This can be done through the mediation process in a number of different ways.

3. There's lots of support you can access so you can get to grips with managing your own finances going forward if you don't feel confident with this. Lots of people feel similarly or there wouldn't be the need for support! For a start follow and for starters as they offer lots of helpful guidance.

Family mediation can be a great way of getting to grips with the financial decisions you need to make coupled with financial advice and support. For more information about family mediation have a look at the LKW Family Mediation website via the link in my bio.

https://lkwfamilymediation.co.uk/services-for-those-going-through-a-separation/

Address

The Atrium, Curtis Road
Dorking
RH41XA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+441306320520

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