A Humanistic Approach to Mediation and Dialogue: An Evolving Transformative Practice

Abstract

The humanistic approach to mediation developed in parallel to Bush and Folger's transformative mediation in the 1990s. While fully harmonizing with transformative mediation, humanistic mediation emphasizes a greater departure from skill-based techniques and gives less attention to problem solving. By highlighting the humanizing capacities of mediators, parties, and communication processes, the humanistic approach deepens a dialogue process as it fosters good mediator presence and the uninterrupted flow of “heart language” between parties. Nine areas of practice, including preparation meetings, nondirective mediation, and use of silence, are presented in their applicability to both restorative justice and dispute resolution contexts.

Keywords: humanistic, approach, mediation, transfamative, nondirective, silence, restoratice justice, dispute resolution, language