ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines a narrative approach to mediation that builds on the idea of family conflict. It explains: the goals of narrative mediation; the practices of double listening, externalizing and mapping the effects; avenues for generating a counter story of relationship; and finally returns to negotiation on a different foundation. Narrative mediation is an approach to conflict resolution in a range of contexts, although focuses on using the narrative approach in the context of family relationships. Mediation can be defined as assisting two or more people to negotiate the relational conditions for going forward in a relationship. Mediators are commonly taught to practice active listening–the careful discipline of paraphrasing and reflecting what a person says in order to communicate both acknowledgement and understanding. Narrative mediation builds on double listening through the practice of externalizing conversation. Externalizing leads easily into an exploration of the effects of the conflict on the parties.
