Foundations of Mediation: Practical Methods for Effective Dispute Resolution

By Donald Bisson

Foundations of Mediation

Practical Methods for Effective Dispute Resolution

Conflict affects every area of professional and personal life. Workplace disputes, business disagreements, communication breakdowns, organizational tension, and damaged relationships can quickly escalate when communication deteriorates and positions harden.

Foundations of Mediation provides a practical and professionally grounded guide to modern mediation practice. Rather than presenting mediation as a collection of scripts or simplified techniques, this book focuses on how professional mediators think, manage process, maintain neutrality, structure communication, and guide difficult conversations within real conflict situations.

What You Will LearnHow professional mediation functions in real conflict situationsHow to apply the SOLVE mediation framework effectivelyHow to manage communication breakdown and emotional escalationHow to maintain neutrality, fairness, and professional boundariesHow to structure mediation conversations productivelyHow to recognize and manage power imbalance and impasseHow to use questioning, reframing, and active listening strategicallyHow to draft clearer and more effective mediation agreementsWho This Book Is ForMediation students and traineesNew and developing mediatorsExperienced mediators seeking practical professional developmentWorkplace and organizational conflict practitionersHuman resource professionalsManagers and supervisors involved in conflict resolutionAlternative dispute resolution professionalsTraining programs and mediation instructorsProfessional Perspective

Mediation is not simply about helping people talk. It is a structured professional process requiring communication discipline, ethical awareness, neutrality, procedural fairness, emotional steadiness, and professional judgment.

By focusing on structured frameworks, communication dynamics, practical application, and professional clarity, mediators can develop the skills and confidence necessary to manage difficult conversations ethically, fairly, and effectively while maintaining participant self-determination and process integrity.

Important Notice

This book is intended for educational and professional development purposes only. It does not provide legal, psychological, therapeutic, financial, or jurisdiction-specific professional advice. Readers and practitioners remain responsible for working within their own professional competence, applicable legislation, ethical obligations, certification standards, organizational policies, and regulatory requirements.

About the Author

Donald A. Bisson, Q.Med, Q.Arb, QFAS, FDRP Arb, FDRP Med, CODR, AccFM is a Canadian mediator, arbitrator, educator, and dispute resolution professional with extensive experience in mediation, arbitration, workplace conflict, communication management, and structured dispute resolution practice.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1996923218
• ISBN13: 9781996923214
• Release Date: May 2026
• Publisher: Northern Dispute Resolution Chambers Inc.
• Length: 616 Pages
• Weight: 1.79 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"