Maris D. Clement, MFT

“The team at Peace Talks works diligently to do the best for their clients…. being attentive to quality, efficiency and to client needs. It's not just a business for them. They also understand the psychological complexities associated with dispute resolution. I’ve referred clients and will continue to do so.”

M. Debra Reno, Owner, M. Debra Reno, CPA

Maris D. Clement, MFT
Psy. D

Mediation Style:

To facilitate effective and respectful communication
To provide impartial support and empathy to both parties
To help you decide how mediation will proceed and to support your best interests
Solution-Focused
Outgoing, calm and informed
To reduce emotional reactivity and keep both clients in a rational, respectful place, in order to help them make aware and safe decisions Outgoing, calm and informed
If there are children involved, to help the parents keep their own relationship respectful, which will, in turn aid the children in experiencing less trauma and sadness in the present and future

Personal Values in Mediation:

To provide an impartial view, and support what you think is best in your decisions
To recognize and listen to your feelings and provide a safe environment for solid, informed decision making
To be empathetic to both parties
Value communication and listening
Bring knowledge and insight from my work with hundreds of Couples in the last 13 years.
I believe that respect is why this process works out much better than becoming punitive and argumentative.
I love children and always have their best interest at heart.
In my life and work, I have seen many messy divorces resulting in unhappy outcomes. In these cases residual anger has made it difficult to move on to other relationships. If there are children, they also suffer from the continuing anger of their parents.

Mediation Training:

40 hour Divorce Mediation Training, Institute for Conflict Management with Peace Talks Mediation services, Inc., October 2008

Mediation Experience:

Peace Talks Mediation Services: Therapist Mediator in a co-mediator setting which assists families in resolving disputes in a supportive, effective, informed, and pro-active manner.

Background:

Adjunct Professor: Pepperdine University, Malibu CA, in Master's Program, Psychopharmacology and Clinical Practicum, 2003
Adjunct Professor: Ryokan University, Mar Vista, CA, in Masters and Doctoral Programs, Psychopharmacology and Theories of Family Systems, 2001
Adjunct Professor: Antioch University, Culver City, CA, in Masters Program, Treatment of Families, Psychopharmacology, Family Systems Theory, 1999
License: Marriage and Family Therapist, MFT# 35027, since 1997

Education:

Education: MA in Clinical Psychology with Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, Pepperdine University, Malibu CA, 1993. Doctor of Clinical Psychology, Southern Cal University, Santa Ana, CA, 2008.
Over 11 years in clinical practice with Couples and families