ABA Family Legal Guide

Family Law

3.4 Separation, Annulment, and Divorce

Mediation and Collaborative Law

What is the professional background of divorce mediators?

Most mediators are either lawyers or mental health professionals. Some court-related mediators have degrees in social work or psychology. Private mediators are often lawyers, although many are mental health professionals. Mediators who are mental health professionals are not serving as therapists, and mediators who are lawyers are not serving as lawyers. Instead, they are professionals who are trying to help two (or more) people work out their differences. Mediators are generally not licensed or regulated by the state, although the ABA has adopted standards and many states do have some certification for court-mandated mediation.