"Look beyond the obvious for a creative solution"

Divorce mediation has become a respected method of dissolving marriages. Letting spouses negotiate their own settlement out of court, under a mediator's supervision, is less traumatic, expensive, and time-consuming than battling for a judge's favour.

Helping you and your spouse find solutions

"Foremost as mediators, it is our responsibility to make sure both parties leave the table feeling like they have been heard," says Itasha O'Gilvie, a family mediator with the Toronto firm who practises locally and nationally. "We bring people together in difficult situations and help them create solutions."

Ms. O'Gilvie, who has past experience as a behaviour therapist and paralegal, felt mediation was a great way to help families work together towards the best possible outcome. "I enjoy helping people," she explains, "and knew there had to be something better than the court process, which only creates animosity. The mediation process rebuilds relationships. It is time for society to see mediation as a viable way to end conflict."

Experts in various areas of mediation

Take 2, which provides top-quality family mediation, also provides civil, government, business, and workplace mediation. Their highly trained professionals use various transferable skills from many disciplines. "Active listening is one of my best tools, because individuals come to the table wrought with emotions and I can extract pertinent information from them," says O'Gilvie. "We are tough on the issues but not tough on the client.

"If you are newly separated," she advises, "evaluate what you need and look into different options. If you choose mediation, be open to finding a solution collaboratively. Look beyond the obvious for a creative solution."

Culturally diverse staff meets the needs of families across Canada

Ms. O'Gilvie adds that her firm's services benefit from the staff's various backgrounds. "We are a culturally diverse organization. Canada as a whole is a multicultural society, and we understand different types of restructured families."

Praise from past clients

The effectiveness of Take 2 Mediation is evident in numerous testimonials. One client writes: "The services we received were beyond our expectations... Our mediator was helpful, understanding of our concerns, and highly professional." Some satisfied clients phone the firm months later with thanks: "It is rewarding when you find out clients can now communicate with their ex-spouses without disagreement," says O'Gilvie.

The professionals at Take 2 Mediation strive to customize their services based upon clients' needs. Take 2 Mediation will help your family work together to find the best possible outcome.

For more information, or to book a free initial phone consultation with these Toronto divorce mediators, please contact:

Itasha O'Gilvie has written the following articles:

FAQS:

• "What is mediation? How long will it take?"
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• "What is co-mediation?"
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