For those who want to supplement basic mediation training with hands-on experience, CDSC offers a supervised mediation program, like an apprenticeship, called a Practicum. Newly-trained and less experienced mediators are provided an opportunity to:

• Observe actual mediations.
• Co-mediate with more experienced mediators.
• Receive supervision and feedback to improve skills.

Getting Started

Choose to begin your Practicum with 5 or 10 sessions, with the option to extend your experience in 5-session increments.  If you sign up for 5 sessions, you must complete the Practicum within 6 months. If you sign up for 10 sessions you must complete the Practicum within 12 months. Within those constraints, the schedule is somwwhat flexible to meet your needs. 

5 sessions Fee: $350
10 sessions Fee: $500 [$450*]

* Reduced fee is available for newly-trained mediators who participate in CDSC's Mediation Training and enroll within 2 months of completion.

Prerequisite: At least 30 hours of an SJC-approved Mediation Training

How it Works

Mediation sessions are held mornings on Monday and Tuesday in various courts. The level of each court's case activity is unpredictable; some days there may be 3 or 5 cases, sometimes no cases.  If you are accepted into the Practicum, you will be contacted by the Supervisor to set up your start date.

Fee is payable in full (or in installments by arrangement). Your Practicum begins with observing mediation sessions. When you and your Supervisor agree you are ready, you will co-mediate with your Supervisor or another experienced mediator. Each Practicum will have at least one observation. After observing and co-mediating, you will have the opportunity to debrief and ask questions, hear different viewpoints, develop an understanding of when and why experienced mediators intervene, explore impasses and strategies for resolution, and develop skills to critique your own and others' performances.

During your Practicum, you will hear about seminars, conferences, supervision opportunities and other community activities available at CDSC. Upon completion of your Practicum, you may apply to be an affiliate with CDSC to be on our roster of volunteer mediators.

Scholarships are occasionally offered for the Practicum, but they are extremely rare.