Mediation is not a regulated field in Canada. There is no specific degree, diploma, or certificate you must have to start a career in mediation.
That said, most successful mediators have earned designations through the ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC)—the country’s leading alternative dispute resolution organization.
If you’re just starting out in the field, you’re probably aiming for the Qualified Mediator (Q.Med) designation. This is ADRIC’s entry-level credential, and you don’t need any professional mediation experience to earn it.
You do, however, need to meet certain educational criteria. And that’s where Kompass can help. Our accredited courses fulfill the basic and specialized mediation training components, so you can be fully prepared to get your Q.Med.
Here are all the details.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE Q.MED DESIGNATION
To become a Qualified Mediator you must complete:
- 40 hours of basic mediation training
- 40 hours of specialized mediation training
All 80 of those hours can be accomplished through training delivered by Kompass.
BASIC TRAINING: THE MEDIATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION CERTIFICATE
The Kompass Mediation and Dispute Resolution certificate is accredited by both ADRIC and the ADR Institute of Ontario (ADRIO). It meets the full 40-hour basic mediation training requirement for the Q.Med designation.
The 12-week certificate is an excellent starting point for professionals looking to expand their mediation knowledge and skills. It features an introduction to:
- The goals and key processes of mediation
- Various techniques for resolving conflicts, such as negotiating and coaching
- Handling conflicts among families and in workplaces
- Conducting online mediations
The program is delivered online and includes live lectures and role play via videoconferencing.
“Through coursework and role play, students learn to be non-judgmental, listen for solutions and possibilities, and understand the situation and needs of both parties,” says instructor Hayley MacPhail, who has more than two decades of experience as a mediator and educator.
“Students also learn how to ask goal-directed and future-oriented questions, so clients can move forward and begin discussing goals and strategies for change.”
SPECIALIZED MEDIATION TRAINING: TWO COURSES
To be eligible for the Q.Med, you also need 40 hours of specialized mediation and related training education requirement.
Kompass offers two accredited courses: Advanced Family Mediation and Cultural Fluency in Mediation. Each course counts for 21 of the 40 total hours needed, so by completing both, you can meet the ADR Institute’s specialized training requirement.
Advanced Family Mediation Class
In Advanced Family Mediation, students get lots of practice applying mediation theories and problem-solving strategies to conflicts involving spouses and children.
“The fundamentals of mediation are about exposing students to the skills they need to develop, like active listening, paraphrasing, summarizing open-ended questions, and not solving the problem for clients,” says Hayley.
“At the advanced level, they start to put it together and finesse those skills so that they are more able to encourage the client to share their views. We give them the tools to deal with riskier or tougher situations, such as high-conflict parenting.”
Cultural Fluency in Mediation Class
This class focuses on incorporating the principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the mediation process. It’s designed to help students become more aware of barriers so that they can create a mediation environment in which all clients can safely and fully participate.
“For us as mediators, it’s so important that we have a good understanding of how people might see themselves in the world. We need to understand their paradigm and the filter through which they view the world so that we can help them move forward,” says Hayley.
“For instance, someone with a neurodiversity may not work in a linear fashion. You won’t get a story that starts at the beginning and has a middle and an end. So if we’re not in tune with that, we’re at risk of embarrassing ourselves and our clients.”
WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED FOR THE Q.MED?
In addition to meeting the educational requirements, all candidates for the Q.Med must:
- Conduct two actual or supervised practice mediations (this can be done as part of your training)
- Agree to follow ADRIC’s codes of ethics and conduct
- Maintain full membership in ADRIC and your regional affiliate*
- Agree to participate in continuing education each year
- Carry at least $1 million in Errors and Omissions insurance
*Every province/territory has an affiliate ADR Institute. To earn mediator certification, you must be a member in good standing of your regional affiliate as well as the national organization. Regional affiliates may have additional requirements. For instance, all members of the ADR Institute of Ontario must complete an online ethics course.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MEDIATION TRAINING THROUGH KOMPASS
Kompass Professional Development offers a full range of accredited courses that prepare you to become a Qualified Mediator.
Click below for further details and the chance to chat live with a knowledgeable advisor. We’re here to help!
