For learners
You don't have to figure it out alone.
Maybe you have fallen out with a friend. Maybe people have started choosing sides. Maybe you feel excluded, keep arguing with someone, or feel that a small misunderstanding has become much bigger.
Sometimes you just need a different person to talk to.
A neutral adult
Karen will listen.
Her job is not to judge you, punish you, lecture you or automatically decide that somebody else is right. She may ask questions and help you look at what is happening from different angles.
What can we talk about?
There are many reasons to ask for support.
Friendships and groups
Friendship breakdowns, exclusion, changing groups, misunderstandings or a relationship that has become difficult.
Conflict and communication
Repeated arguments, difficult conversations, online interactions affecting school or conflict that keeps escalating.
Moving forward
Repairing a relationship, setting boundaries, preparing for a conversation or deciding how you want to handle things differently.
How mediation works
No winners and losers. A better way forward.
Mediation helps people in conflict speak and listen differently. Karen does not take sides or decide who wins. She helps people understand what happened, explain how they see it and explore what could change.
Sometimes mediation means talking together. Sometimes the first step is speaking to Karen separately and deciding what would be helpful next.
Will I have to agree with the other person?
No. Understanding another person's point of view does not mean agreeing with everything they say. Understanding why something happened also does not mean saying it was acceptable.
What if I made a mistake too?
You can still ask for help. Taking responsibility for your part is not the same as accepting blame for everything. It means looking honestly at what happened and deciding what you want to do differently next time.
Confidentiality
You should know the rules before you speak openly.
Karen will explain what can remain private and the situations where she may need to involve another responsible adult or follow an appropriate safety process.
Depending on your age and circumstances, your parent, guardian or school may need to be involved in arranging the session or providing consent.
Your school experience can change.
A difficult friendship, bad decision, conflict or uncomfortable period at school does not have to define the rest of your school career. People change, relationships can change and the way we respond to situations can change.
If your school works with Karen, it may also have an arrangement to fund or support sessions. You can ask a teacher, counsellor, parent or another trusted adult whether this is available.
Not sure if this is already in place? A parent or trusted adult can let Karen know, and with consent she will check with the school directly.
Talk before it gets bigger
Would you like to speak with Karen?
You do not need to wait until everything has gone wrong. You can ask a parent, teacher, counsellor or another trusted adult for help arranging a conversation.