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Listening Skills for a Volatile Age

Thursday, March 16th, 2017

The Wall Street Journal, March 15th published a piece by Clare Ansberry  about retreat centers during this current age of high anxiety.  Attendance at various centers, including the Garrison Institute in NY State is up by 20% since the November election.  The goal of these retreat experiences, in general is to help people establish ” a sense of empathy and understanding even if people hold a radically different position.” Tips include how to be a better listener:

  • Focus on the person, not their opinions.
  • Be attentive. Don’t look around, check your phone or sigh.
  • Suspend your own judgment and analysis until the other person is finished.
  • Don’t interrupt.
  • Don’t form rebuttals in your head while the other person is talking.
  • Summarize objectively what the other person said.

Reading this article we notice that the overlap with mediation is significant.  We work with clients who are often consumed with fear, anxiety and enormous financial and emotional stresses.  Only by listening carefully to what they say and how they express their needs are we able to provide effective mediation to help them craft lasting agreements that provide a durable path forward in their lives.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-new-retreat-for-these-times-1489511342

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J.D., Queens, New York

“I can’t imagine two mediators with more integrity and impartiality. They guided us through the difficult process of divorce with incredible knowledge, empathy, and honesty. Because of them, we established a neutral dialogue that has continued to this day. I am deeply grateful to Family Mediation.”

–J.D., Queens, New York

A.T., New York, New York

“Without reservation, I highly recommend Abby and Ellie. They are seasoned professionals whose legal expertise and unique co-mediation teamwork model, coupled with a humanistic approach, was effective in bringing a difficult situation to an amicable conclusion.”

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G.R., Brooklyn, New York

“Thank you both for all your help and hard work. You made a difficult process bearable. Thank you both for listening to me, understanding and then telling me what I needed to hear and know.”

–G.R., Brooklyn, New York

C.A., Manhattan

“Ellie and Abby were able to help resolve a conflict that had seemed irreconcilable after months of efforts by other professionals. Their deep empathy combined with legal expertise gave me the confidence I needed to withstand the most stressful challenge of my life. Their commitment to achieve optimal results went far above and beyond all my expectations.”

–C.A., Manhattan

M.B., New York, New York

“I cannot recommend Abby and Ellie from Family Mediation highly enough. These two attorneys are humanistic and effective practitioners of family law. They will help you and your spouse work through any problems that may arise. They are wise and experienced and most of all, they are decent human beings who really care about their clients.”

–M.B., New York, New York

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