Reframing

Nancy Ferrell describes how she coaches all the parties so they can participate effectively in the mediation process.
Nancy Ferrellexplains how she coaches both sides to explain their issues in a way they are heard and understood.
Silke Hansen suggests a useful extension of the common "girls with the orange" metaphor for interest-based bargaining.
Stephen Thom tells an interesting story about the repatriation of Native American remains. Surprisingly, agreement was reached when the whites, who had been accommodating, refused (at the Native Americans' request) to negotiate any further.
Community Relations Service Mediator Silke Hansen describes how it helps to level the playing field by helping community groups prepare for mediation.