Psychologically Informed Mediation

I know Monica through her long association with my late husband, Paul Randolph who for many years ran the training course for Mediators at Regents University London. I was also taught by her when I attended the course in 2004 and became aware then - as did my fellow students as well as those before and since - of her very considerable expertise in educating and communicating to students of mediation the essential skills and techniques (which are often counter-intuitive) required.

Monica’s book is a welcome mix of the current theoretical background to the various methodologies of mediation which have evolved in recent years and the practical application of mediation techniques - which are still not sufficiently understood or appreciated. As with RUL’s mediation course which trained so many of us, a psychological insight into conflict and its causes gives mediators a distinct advantage when called upon to help resolve disputes, no matter where or how they originate.

Paul was always frustrated that it was taking so long for the benefits of mediation, as an efficient, effective and economical conflict resolving tool, to be properly recognised and understood; Monica’s book will help to rectify this and go a long way to enabling people to understand how and why it works, in a way which does not require lengthy study of the underlying existential philosophical concepts.

Karen Randolph

Community Mediator

Local Councillor

Mediator, wife of the late Paul Randolph, Mediation Course Director, Regents University London

I highly recommend this well-structured book that moves from the different forms of mediation and co-mediation to the process of psychologically informed mediation in practice.

What makes this book stand out is how the case studies have been written. The context of each tale of conflict is different but they all read like short stories with realistic endings. These case studies give the reader a picture of how multi-layered and complex conflict is and how the psychological existential approach in mediation works in practice.

Diana Mitchell

Mediator, Trainer, Psychotherapist

Monica Hanaway has positioned herself at the forefront of existential leadership, mediation and conflict resolution training, cultivating a wholly unique approach from a psychological perspective. There are precious few with such breadth of experience and this radiates through her latest work. Monica clearly explores the various mediation techniques and styles, before providing distinct examples to wholly understand the novel dynamic of this paradigm. This book is essential for practitioners wishing to gain insight into dealing with complex situations, but also managers, advocates, counsellors - anyone who encounters conflict and finds themselves wondering what they might have done differently to achieve a favourable outcome.

Marni Alexander

Mediator

MA, MBACP, UKCP, MPED, Company Company Director, Clinical Director at QRDC Ltd.

Everyone experiences conflict at times. Dealing with conflict is an important skill in business. This is a very accessible book which introduces the reader to a psychological approach to resolving disputes, and then shows through case studies exactly how this understanding and the skills described can be used in practical ways to resolve conflicts.

It is of interest to mediators but also to leaders and managers, as well as the general reader as we all face conflict situations.

Mirjam Buyteweg

IFRS The International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation, London

No doubt the most thorough and engaging book on mediation on the market. Monica Hanaway offers an engaging deep-dive into best practices in conflict resolution across a range of case studies reminiscent of both Yalom's academic work and his tales of psychotherapy combined in a single book. A must read for all mediators and trainees as well as a vital resource for those who find themselves in a dispute eager to resolve it as amicably as possible.

Yannick Jacob

Mediator

Existential Coach (MA), Positive Psychologist (MSc), Coach Trainer & Supervisor (FMR Programme Leader MSc Coaching Psychology), Mediator (conflict resolution) and author of ‘An Introduction to Existential Coaching’

Monica Hanaway’s latest book brings a refreshingly new approach to the study of mediation and conflict resolution. Drawing on her extensive psychotherapeutic experience, Monica has developed an outstanding series of case studies that bring conflict to life and deftly illustrate the many different facets and nuances that can aid a psychologically informed mediator to navigate the way to a successful resolution.

Spencer Hilliard

Mediator, Barrister and Chair of the Bar Council ADR Panel.

A good story is an extremely effective way to illuminate theoretical principles. In this book, Monica Hanaway offers not just theory but a collection of studies that support and clarify the proposals she outlines for successful mediation and conflict resolution. An enlightening read’

Karen Weixel-Dixon

Mediator

author : ‘Interpersonal Conflict: an existential psychotherapeutic and practical model’ (Routledge 2017)

And when you thought you know almost everything about mediation, you get this book and realize that only now real studies begin. Monica puts the right accents and perfectly explains complex mediation terms. Those who assumed that mediation is rational and psychology doesn't matter shall think twice after reading Monica's book. A terrific, excellent, perfectly structured book on the most important psychology issues in mediation. A book I was waiting for and I'll recommend to my colleagues, students, and clients.

Dana Rone, Advocate at law, Acc. mediator, Member of the Disciplinary Commission of Sworn Advocates in Latvia, Member of Certification and Attestation Commission of Mediators in Latvia, Docent: Turiba University, Riga

Monica’s existential psychological approach provides an interesting and valuable new way to approach the challenges of conflict resolution. This new book shows through a theoretical exploration and practical case examples how this philosophical approach can be used effectively in mediation.

Ulla Zumente-Steele - Erasmus Institutional Coordinator Riga School of Law & Student Counselor

Monica has run trainings in Bucharest bringing her existential approach to business, coaching and conflict resolution. She details this approach detailed in her new book ‘Psychologically Informed Mediation: Studies in Conflict and Resolution’. The book introduces the core concepts of the existential psychological approach and uses practical case studies to show how this approach can be used in mediation It shows that through effective, mindful dialogue, focused on existential concerns conflicts can be resolved in a way which is meaningful to all participants.

Madalina Calcun –

Mediator

Department for Open Government and Civil Society, Bucharest

I have attended a number of advanced trainings which Monica Hanaway has delivered in Bucharest and in this book she encapsulates much of that training demonstrating how to bring a philosophical approach into resolving conflict. Using her understanding of conflict can help to reduce the number of conflicts, but should conflicts occur, as they inevitably will, she offers existentially informed introductions to conflict coaching and mediation and backs these with informative case examples.

Mugur Mitroi –

President of Mediation Council of Romania

This book allows others to access Monica’s knowledge as she takes the reader through the theory and practice of psychologically informed mediation and then goes on to demonstrate these, in a practical and through manner, through the analysed studies which make up the second part of the book.

Susan Blum

Coach, consultant & mediator

Monica Hanaway is one of the country’s leading exponents of psychologically informed mediation. In this book, Monica sets out her approach clearly and backs it up with case studies drawn from her own experience. You see how theory and practice fit together. I recommend it to everyone who wants to learn to solve problems in a 21st century manner.

Felix Spender

FInstLM, former soldier, international negotiator and SME business leader

Monica introduces the reader to different styles of mediation and introduces us to her specific existential psychological approach. In the second part of the book she offers several case studies which use theory to demonstrate in a very practical way how the psychological approach is used. The psychological skills she shows are of value in dealing with all disputes be they international or domestic, family or corporate.

Yossi Mekelberg

International Relations and Social Sciences Programme Director

Faculty of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences, Regent’s University, London

A really good read and so informative and interesting. It gives an excellent introduction to what mediation is and the different styles used. It is full of useful case studies which use and explain the role of mediation in each case. Well worth reading by anyone who has been or is in a conflict situation and incredibly useful for those who may want to go further in mediation, whether as a client or as a trainee mediator. Thoroughly recommended.

Judy Brown

Director of EDSA (Education for Democracy in South Africa)

This is a wonderful read. In addition to explaining the process of mediation and the styles and theories used, Monica has taken the complexities of multi-dimensional relationships and has written clear narratives on each person's perspective of the dilemma. She then explains her chosen method of mediation based upon solidly researched principles, making sense of why she does what she does, making for very satisfying reading. Anyone who is interested in therapy, mediation or counselling should read this book. It is also a page turner for the reader who, like myself, is fascinated by people and what makes us tick. I'd rate this as a 5 star book, and I hope it reaches a wide audience.

Hilary Wainer

Music therapist, Founder and Director of TacPac (Communication through Touch and Music)

Monica’s approach demonstrates the extraordinary parallels between Existential Phenomenology and the African philosophy and tool of Ubuntu, lived and promulgated by Desmond Tutu and indeed Nelson Mandela. This book explains in detail what mediation is and gives an insight into Monica’s psychologically approach. The studies in the second half of the book show in a very real way how this approach is used.

Clive Conway

Clive Conway, Chair of the Tutu Foundation UK (Patron Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Honorary Patron FW de Klerk)

Monica illustrates the powers of the existential psychological approach through brilliant writing and real-life examples. I would encourage anyone to buy this book as a resource and reference to those who are in, or who have a desire to be successful in a leadership role where they will undoubtedly be faced with conflict situations.

Chris Corbin,

Head of Customer Service First Central Insurance and Technology Group

Likely one of the most experienced and diverse mediators in the industry, I take delight in posting this endorsement of Monica Hanaway’s new book studying the various methods of mediation and conflict resolution, expertly linking these (through meaningful case studies) to impactful and relevant psychological thought.

Kelli Wilks,

CMC Accredited Mediator

Founder, Compass Mediation Group, specialists in large-scale commercial transformations,

Negotiation strategist & trainer for SMEs & start-ups

I know Monica through her long association with my late husband, Paul Randolph who for many years ran thetraining course for Mediators at Regents University London. I was also taught by her when I attended the course in 2004 and became aware then - as did my fellow students as well as those before and since - of her very considerable expertise in educating and communicating to students of mediation the essential skills and techniques (which are often counter-intuitive) required.

Monica’s book is a welcome mix of the current theoretical background to the various methodologies of mediation which have evolved in recent years and the practical application of mediation techniques - which are still not sufficiently understood or appreciated. As with RUL’s mediation course which trained so many of us, a psychological insight into conflict and its causes gives mediators a distinct advantage when called upon to help resolve disputes, no matter where or how they originate.

Paul was always frustrated that it was taking so long for the benefits of mediation, as an efficient, effective and economical conflict resolving tool, to be properly recognised and understood; Monica’s book will help to rectify this and go a long way to enabling people to understand how and why it works, in a way which does not require lengthy study of the underlying existential philosophical concepts.

Karen Randolph

Community Mediator

Local Councillor

Mediator, wife of the late Paul Randolph, Mediation Course Director, Regents University London

I highly recommend this well-structured book that moves from the different forms of mediation and co-mediation to the process of psychologically informed mediation in practice.

What makes this book stand out is how the case studies have been written. The context of each tale of conflict is different but they all read like short stories with realistic endings. These case studies give the reader a picture of how multi-layered and complex conflict is and how the psychological existential approach in mediation works in practice.

Diana Mitchell

Mediator, Trainer, Psychotherapist

Monica Hanaway has positioned herself at the forefront of existential leadership, mediation and conflict resolution training, cultivating a wholly unique approach from a psychological perspective. There are precious few with such breadth of experience and this radiates through her latest work. Monica clearly explores the various mediation techniques and styles, before providing distinct examples to wholly understand the novel dynamic of this paradigm. This book is essential for practitioners wishing to gain insight into dealing with complex situations, but also managers, advocates, counsellors - anyone who encounters conflict and finds themselves wondering what they might have done differ