Kompass Blog

Updated December 2025

Family mediation training focuses on giving students the tools to help families settle disputes without going through litigation.

Students gain an understanding of family law, relationship dynamics, and the role of a mediator.

They also learn practical techniques for facilitating discussions and guiding the parties toward a resolution that everyone can live with.

Family mediation training can prepare you to deal with disputes arising from separation, divorce, parenting, elder care, family business succession, and more.

So what specific knowledge and skills will you develop in family mediation training? What are the key takeaways?

Here’s a breakdown of the main areas covered in class.

Updated December 2025

A family mediator is a neutral third party who helps families resolve disputes outside of court.

Mediators facilitate discussions between opposing parties and ensure that everyone is able to air their concerns and perspectives.

The goal is to help all parties come to a mutually acceptable solution.

But what does that actually involve? What are the specific functions of a family mediator?

Keep reading to get an inside look at the tasks and responsibilities of this career.

Learn what the role of a family mediator is all about and see if it’s right for you.

Updated December 2025

Interested in helping people resolve disputes outside of court? Curious about what the job market is like for mediators in Canada?

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) has become increasingly popular across the country over the past few years, and mediation is an important part of that process. Provinces like Ontario and Alberta have even made mediation mandatory in certain situations.

Even still, it’s not easy to find hard data on the demand for mediators in Canada.

We dug into the growing movement toward ADR and what it means for people looking to become mediators in this country.

Here’s what you need to know.

Updated December 2025

Your success as a mediator will depend on your ability to cultivate a sense of collaboration and trust between people in conflict. That's no easy feat.

After all, people usually enter into mediation because communication has broken down. Resentment, stress, and suspicion have made it difficult to see matters clearly—let alone negotiate a fair outcome!

Professional mediators need a toolkit of techniques they can use to break down those walls, create an atmosphere of trust, and get opposing sides talking in productive ways.

These are fundamental skills taught in mediation training - and competencies you'll continue to hone throughout your entire career.

Here are four ways to build rapport and break through mistrust during the mediation process.

Updated December 2025

Are you passionate about helping Ontario families settle disputes, separations, divorces, or custody issues without resorting to costly litigation?

Going through the process to become a certified family mediator is an excellent way to gain the skills and credentials to begin your career.

Certification is not technically required to work as a family mediator in Ontario. But it can open a lot of doors.

For instance, you generally need to be certified if you want to provide court-connected family mediation services.

So how do you get started?

This post details the steps required to become accredited through the Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM).

Here's how the process works.

The use of arbitration is on the rise. More and more employers require workers to sign mandatory arbitration agreements, keeping conflicts like employment discrimination and wrongful termination out of the courts.

We're also seeing a major uptick in intellectual property and technology disputes handled through arbitration.

Arbitration clauses are finding their way into a growing number of consumer contracts, spanning everything from cell phone agreements and home purchases to car rentals and cable service providers. There is also a widespread movement to use arbitration as an alternative to litigation for international commercial disputes.

Virtual arbitration, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in arbitration, and the emergence of arbitration analytics all point toward the expansion and rapid evolution of the practice.

Yet, despite its growing importance in the world of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), a number of myths persist about the nature and process of arbitration.

Kat Bellamano teaches the accredited arbitration training course at Kompass Professional Development. She has been working in the field of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for 17 years.

Updated December 2025

Mediation is often described as both an art and a science. A science because the practice is governed by a clear framework, with concrete technical components and legal boundaries. 

An art because skilled mediators draw on a variety of less tangible assets, like intuition, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a gift for cultivating trust amidst tension and hostility. 

Updated December 2025

Human resources management (HRM) has a much larger role in business than most people realize.

When you think about HR, what comes to mind? Most likely, you’re thinking about processes like recruitment, hiring, explaining company benefits, and dealing with discipline issues. 

But at today’s leading companies, HR goes far beyond these routine functions. More than ever before, human resources professionals are playing a key role in strategic planning and corporate policy. They are contributing at the highest levels, working with senior management to cultivate the most valuable asset a company has: its people. 

As HR grows as an industry, so does the variety of jobs available in different areas of specialization and different levels of seniority. 

What types of human resources jobs are available? What career paths can you pursue, from HR generalist to specialist roles? Here’s a look at some popular options, as well as some tips on how to transition into the field.

Updated October 2022

Mediation is not a regulated profession in Canada. There is no specific degree, diploma, or certificate you must have to start a career in mediation. 

That being said, most successful mediators have earned designations through the ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC)—the country’s leading alternative dispute resolution organization. 

Both mediators and arbitrators can earn different kinds of professional designations through the Institute, depending on their educational qualifications and experience in the field. 

Which designations are available for mediators? How does one qualify? What is involved in gaining membership with the ADR Institute, and what can you expect in return? 

These are 5 quick facts every aspiring mediator should know about the ADR Institute—and laying the groundwork for a successful career in alternative dispute resolution.