Evaluative, facilitative, transformative: three types of mediation

Evaluative, facilitative, transformative: three types of mediation

Author: Jane Beddall August 28, 2025 Duration: 5:22

In mediation, an impartial person helps the people involved to reach an agreement that works for them. 

Mediation is often said to consist of three main types.Some mediators stick quite closely to one approach.  Others feel comfortable favoring one or another in different situations. The lines can blur in practice more than they do in theory. 

Broadly speaking, the main “types” are evaluative, facilitative, and transformative.  Transformative is the least well-known of them. A fourth, narrative mediation, pops up occasionally in discussions in the conflict resolution field. 

Their names describe them well.

Do you have comments or suggestions about a topic or guest? An idea or question about conflict management or conflict resolution? Let me know at jb@dovetailresolutions.com! And you can learn more about me and my work as a mediator and a Certified CINERGY® Conflict Coach at www.dovetailresolutions.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/janebeddall/.

Enjoy the show for free on your favorite podcast app or on the podcast website: https://craftingsolutionstoconflict.com/ 


In a world where disagreements often feel like dead ends, Crafting Solutions to Conflict offers a different path-one built on practical tools and a genuinely constructive mindset. Hosted by Jane Beddall, whose background in both law and mediation brings a unique depth to the conversation, this podcast moves beyond theory to the everyday realities of navigating tension. You’ll hear discussions that reframe conflict not as something to dread, but as a potential catalyst for stronger connections and better outcomes, whether at home, in the workplace, or within your community. Each episode feels like a thoughtful dialogue, unpacking familiar yet challenging concepts. Jane guides listeners through ideas like addressing the ‘elephants in the room,’ finding ways to ‘expand the pie’ for mutual gain, and understanding why ‘cookie-cutter’ solutions often fall short. The focus is consistently on preserving valued relationships by preventing unnecessary damage and resolving issues that do arise with clarity and respect. Tuning into this podcast provides more than just advice; it’s an ongoing exploration of how to build and restore harmony through intentional communication. If you’re looking for actionable perspectives that blend wisdom from the realms of society, business, and personal growth, you’ll find a trusted resource here.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Crafting Solutions to Conflict
Podcast Episodes
Episode 300 of Crafting Solutions to Conflict [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:50
Most podcasts don’t last as long as mine. Some recent statistics are available here: Podcastpage.io https://bit.ly/3THcApJ. Why have I been publishing every week for five and a half years?! I think it breaks down to thre…
Kristin Keffeler on The Myth of the Silver Spoon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:46
Kristin Keffler joins me for this episode. Kristin is the author of The Myth of the Silver Spoon: Navigating Family Wealth & Creating an Impactful Life. We talk about Kristin’s personal, educational, and professional jou…
The dangers of shorthand [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:22
Last time, I talked about the alure of a common language. On the plus side, this shorthandsaves time. A common phrase conveys meaning quickly.When I use it, I demonstrate that I know the lingo of this group. We feel a se…
The allure of a common language [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:11
Similar ideas expressed differently across groups/identities/fields of interest. Words that are familiar and well-understood within a group. That common language. Shorthand. Lingo. Jargon, even. Why do we do it? It saves…
Douglas Squirrel on Agile Conversations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:00
Douglas Squirrel joins me to talk about the book he co-authored with Jeffrey Frederick, Agile Conversations: Transform Your Conversations, Transform Your Culture. And we discuss an atypical definition of trust, five type…
Using the LARA method to navigate conflict [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:47
LARA is a communication and conflict resolution method.Listen: First listen with the intention of truly understanding what the person is saying. Affirm: Find something in what the person has said or implied that you shar…
Not enough of a good thing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:15
Usually, we hear about too much of a good thing. Of course, we might not all agree on whether something even is a good thing. Three separate ideas have cropped up recently about our needing more of something that I, at l…
Karen Valencic on Akido and conflict, plus her Spiral Impact method [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:53
Karen Valencic joins me to talk about Akido and conflict, power and force, and the new black belt edition of her book Spiral Impact: The Power to Get It Done with Grace. You can learn more about Karen and her work here:…
Resisting and embracing polarities [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:33
Polarities represent an ongoing situation. They come in pairs. They are interdependent: you need them both, over time. Easy example: inhale and exhale. Harder: when two people see things differently and each one strongly…