Psychotherapy and mediation: similarities and differences

These two disciplines have some common aspects, but they must be differentiated.

It is well known that mediation is not therapy, although both have aspects in common. In the following lines we will see precisely what are the similarities and the differences between group psychotherapy and mediationand the way in which these two disciplines help us to face daily problems.

The similarities between mediation and psychotherapy.

In order to have a better understanding of the aspects that differentiate both disciplines, it is necessary to consider their common aspects. Thus, taking as a reference the treatment of family conflict, there would be two levels of intervention: family therapy and family mediation. In each of them, the role of the professional (psychotherapist and mediator) is to facilitate communication. Each of these contexts develops its own intervention process.

At first sight, both when we intervene in family therapy and when we intervene in family mediation, we are working with part or all of the members of the family group, with whom a priori we seem to share the same objective: to favor the well-being of its members. Each of these interventions is carried out in a framework of confidentiality and uses a set of techniques and tools to achieve its objectives.

By adjusting the view a little more, the therapeutic approach (family therapy or psychotherapy), addresses two fundamental issues: the treatment of emotional disorders. It works with a primary natural group, the family, and in this field of intervention, the family is seen as a "whole-system". According to this, its objective would be to restore health and creating a new way of conceptualizing the relationship with the environment..

For its part, the mediational approach deals with the voluntary procedure of conflict management, in which the parties request the intervention of a mediator, who must be professional, impartial, objective and neutral.In the mediation approach, the parties request the intervention of a mediator, who must be professional, impartial, objective and neutral. It works with groups of people without the capacity to freely make decisions about how to relate to the rest of the group, and intervenes with all or some members of the family, depending on the type of conflict.

The differences

What aspects make the difference between therapy and mediation? Let's look at them.

1. Different objectives

Therapy specifically aims to improve health, promote psychological well-being and contribute to the improvement of relationships. Mediation aims to improve communicationIt favors the resolution of differences by generating solutions to them, and reaching an agreement between the parties in conflict. And at the same time, without being contemplated among its objectives, mediation has a "therapeutic effect", since it facilitates the expression and emotional management.

In the mediation process, the mediator intervenes by managing emotions, so that they do not interfere with communication, thus favoring the search for alternatives and solutions that may culminate in a consensual agreement between the parties in conflict. From the moment in which in the mediation process we favor the emotional ventingwe are facilitating a "therapeutic effect" in people. But this is not the ultimate goal of this type of intervention.

On the other hand, mediation is a structured process, a priori focused on a task: find a solution to a number of disputed issues, reach an agreement in the form of a written document. in the form of a written document. This document can reach a "legal" or "quasi-legal" character, settling and reaching legal and emotional agreements.

In mediation we work with people, with their relationship, with their problem.. This leads to consider an open and fluid structure of intervention, in which flexibility is the sustaining axis of the process, thus facilitating the work of emotions and feelings, their airing, and identification, will allow the definition of the problem and a more adequate understanding of the psychological conflict.

2. The information we work with

Another differentiating aspect between the two interventions is the amount of information to be collected. In therapy, it is essential to collect background and current data on the subject and/or the relationship (clinical or family history). In mediation, only information related to the conflict is collected. Excess information is considered to affect the impartiality and objectivity of the mediation professional. and objectivity of the mediation professional.

3. The importance of impartiality

The role of the psychologist-mediator is based on carrying out his know-how, achieving a balance between the parties in conflictTo this end, it is crucial that they perceive him/her as objective, neutral and impartial, conducting the mediation process, facilitating communication between them and favoring communication channels.

The role of the psychologist-therapist is based on the analysis of behavior, offering guidelines and alternatives, seeking to restore health and psychological well-being. Normally he/she does not need to take so many precautions in order not to appear biased towards one of the "sides".

Family mediation is an opportunity to face conflicts in and within the family, in which the parties voluntarily seek solutions to their conflict, resolving it through dialogue and communication, and assuming the responsibility of resolving their differences by reaching an agreement that they agree to comply with.

The mediator's work facilitates a helping relationship that fosters the expression of emotions and feelings.. In addition, it helps to clarify the needs of the parties in conflict, helping them to distance themselves from the problem and focusing them on the solution. Mediation offers them the opportunity to experience and foster the healthy components of the relationship.

Psychologist-mediators

The figure of the psychologist-mediator is configured with a training that allows him/her to act in both areas.In each case the need to intervene in one context or another according to the needs of the case.

Thus, he/she will manage the referral to therapy taking into account the interests of the parties or the objectives they are trying to achieve in the process. He/she will focus the "rules of the game" to be followed in the intervention, refraining from inducing any result not contemplated in the feelings or will of the parties.