|
 |
 |
Dr. Victoria Simon, LMFT, Ph.D.
Mediator
After completing her university education in Europe, Dr. Simon focused her mental health training in forensic psychology, communication and conflict resolution, receiving a Ph.D. in forensic psychology, a license in Marriage and Family Therapy, and training in mediation through the Los Angeles County Bar Association.
As a child custody evaluator working with children and families in the midst of the emotional trauma of divorce, separation and custody disputes and as an experienced divorce and child custody mediator, she has developed a keen ability to assess quickly and accurately what skills, tools, and resources families and individuals need to survive these upheavals. Additionally Dr. Simon has worked with dozens of foster children, their caregivers and family members in order to guide them in the process of healing from family trauma and separation. Dr. Simon has lectured nationwide and has written articles that appear in publications ranging from the Journal of Forensic Psychology to Bridal Guide.
A creative entrepreneur and successful business woman, Dr. Simon has combined her psychological education and business experience to create the new-concept conflict-resolution firm, Talk Works, www.ourtalkworks.com. Experts and clients alike have recognized that Talk Works, founded by Dr. Simon, fills an unmet need for communication and conflict-resolution education within personal and work relationships. Dr. Simon established Talk Works to provide individuals with the tools they need to reduce conflict, enhance personal and professional relationships, and increase business productivity and profitability.
Mediation Style:
- Solution-focused - While the mediation process can be healing, it is not therapy. The solution-focused model ensures that, while parties may discuss the past, they remain focused on the future and the mediation goal of finding solutions for the issues at hand
- Child-centered - A mediation model that helps to focus on and promote decisions tailored to the individual needs of the children in order to minimize the potentially negative impact of separation and divorce on them
- Transformative - Helping parties arrive at a better understanding of the dispute from both sides and empowering each party to find successful resolutions
Education:
- B.A. with Honors, English Literature/Philosophy, University of Sussex, 1991, Brighton, England
- M.A. Clinical Psychology, specialty in Forensic Psychology, Antioch University, 1997, Los Angeles, CA
- Ph.D. Forensic Psychology, The Union Institute, 2002
Additional Qualifications:
- Member of the Association for Conflict Resolution
- Member of American Psychology Association
- Member of California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
Mediation Training:
- Advanced Negotiation Skills, Center for Dispute Resolution (UK), 2004
- Transformative Mediation Training, Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation, Inc., 2003
- Alternative Dispute Resolution Mediator, Certified through the Los Angeles County Bar Association, 2000 Conflict Resolution Skills, Center for Dispute Resolution (UK), 1991
Personal Values in Mediation:
-
To ensure the fairness, equality and civility that are paramount to the mediation process
-
You are your own expert; our job is to ensure that you needs and goals are met
-
To provide an informal, friendly approach that enhances expectations of professional 'authority'
-
To ensure that everyone's voice is heard - talking and listening are important to the mediation process in equal measures
-
To ensure that you are provided with research-based information regarding child development as it relates to 'best interests' custody arrangements and given as much guidance as is needed to develop your child-centered custody plans
|
|
|
|
|
