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The Academy of Professional Family Mediators

We support the work of professional family mediators and help advance the field of divorce and family mediation.

Join APFM

We are the premier organization for divorce and family mediators.

From distinguished family mediation pioneers to new mediators beginning their careers, we are an Academy of Professional Family Mediators committed to supporting the work of all family mediators and advancing the field of family mediation.

We welcome you to join us.

APFM 2022

APFM 2022 is Full of Engaging, Substantive Content

Karlina Paredes

Keynote address by Karlina Paredes, presenting on the impact of diversity in family mediation

A more diverse group of attorneys and neutrals in family law is emerging to the forefront of the mediation field. Likewise, client diversity is increasing. It is paramount for mediators to accommodate these changing dynamics. In her keynote address, Karlina Paredes will shine a light on opportunities for mediators to develop ways to advance and to better serve a diverse group of clients.

She will highlight methods to embrace diversity, to understand participants’ cultural and gender-specific expectations before mediation commences, and to recognize and act upon implicit bias in family law matters.

Learn More

Learn from Experts in the following Pre-Conference Workshops:

Nicole Davis

Nicole Davis, Ph.D., on Parenting Strategies Unlocked: Discovering the Keys to Promote Healthier Family Dynamics

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Nicole Davis

Susan Guthrie, on The Intersection of Zoom and In-the Room: Getting Ready for Hybrids

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Nicole Davis

Michael Aurit, on The Game-Changing Consultation: How to Get More Clients and Grow the Mediation Practice of Your Dreams

Learn More

World-Class Webinars

Join live webinars with thought leaders in the field and gain access to our full library of On-Demand webinars for potential CLE credit. Programs on topics from “mediator marketing” to key points on drafting parenting plans. Learn from the best.
Watch Webinars

Attend The APFM Conference

Don’t miss the family mediator gathering of the year. Dozens of engaging workshops for new and experienced mediators, compelling keynote speakers, and connections with other family mediators. Elevate your skills, build your practice, and be inspired!
Find Out More

Get APFM Mediator Certification

Demonstrate to your potential clients and other professionals that you are an APFM Certified Mediator. Receive your APFM Certified Mediator logo to use on your marketing materials. Your experience and training may qualify you.
Get APFM Certified

Read Our Newsletter

All family mediators should read APFM’s acclaimed periodical, The Professional Family Mediator. Editor Don Saposnek, Ph.D., compiles in-depth articles submitted by renowned thought leaders in the family mediation field.
Read Now

Get Published on APFM’s Blog

Family mediators from around the world post engaging Blog articles on apfmnet.org. Read and write about topics from mediation strategy to marketing ideas to new laws that affect divorce mediation. Gain credibility through publishing.
Visit Blog

Join an APFM Committee

Our APFM committees help shape the field of family mediation. Join a committee to help advance APFM’s mission to support family mediators and advance family mediation. Consider the Membership, Conference, or Diversity Committee, to name a few.
Committee Info

Meet the APFM Board

Click on the image below to learn more about the APFM board members.

APFM Board
I attended the Catalyst conference as a relatively new mediation practitioner and was so impressed with how willing to help the speakers and more experienced mediators were. I learned more about practice models, mediation skills, and ethics that I ever could have anticipated. I’m grateful to now be part of the APFM community.

— Jeannie Barei, 2018 Conference Participant

Thank you both for the helpful meeting on Thursday. I benefit from these sessions greatly, and appreciate the openness and insights you share. Thank you!

— Crystal Thorpe of Agreement Resources, LLC, Norwood, MA

I am a new member of the APFM. The case consultation group provided me the ability to discuss issues that arise in my mediation practice with others, at varying degrees of experience, and also have the opportunity to discuss with them issues that arose within their practices. Talking with other mediators helps me find my comfort zone, and sometimes step out of that zone, in order to be a better and more effective mediator. [W]e have a lot to learn from each other. Membership with the APFM provides me the opportunity to engage with other family mediators.

–Bruce Matez of Borger-Matez, Cherry Hill, NJ

What an amazing and invaluable service APFM offers to Family Mediators. I am so pleased that I have signed up with APFM.

— Tracey-Leigh Wessels of Wessels and Associates, South Africa

The APFM case consultation group is helping me to sharpen my perceptions and apply strategies I have heard of but never seen in action.

— Georgia Daniels, Pasadena, CA

APFM gets much of the credit for how quickly my practice grew. The conferences are amazing. I learn a lot at each annual conference, and I love being in the company of so many other family mediators who care so much about our profession. APFM has also given me case consultation opportunities and one-on-one access to four expert mentors. Everyone who loves being a family mediator belongs in APFM.

–Virginia Colin of Colin Family Mediation Group, Springfield, VA

APFM is wonderful organization. If you are a family mediator and not yet a member, join us. APFM has provided me with a place to meet, connect and collaborate with other professionals who care as much as I do about assisting families through transitions. The connections I’ve made and things I’ve learned at conferences have helped me grow both professionally and personally in a way no other professional organization provides.

— Amanda Singer of San Diego Family Mediation Center, Del Mar, CA

I will be a lifelong member of APFM because I love my work as a family mediator and care deeply about my profession. Every family mediator — whether new or experienced — has an important place within APFM. The things I have learned and connections I’ve made here have significantly impacted my life and career.

–Michael Aurit of The Aurit Center For Divorce Mediation, Scottsdale, AZ

 

APFM’s annual conference, and the access APFM provides to other trainings and the best family mediators in the business, allowed me to transition from a more traditional family law practice to a successful full time mediation practice.  I would not be where I am today, as a respected professional family mediator, without APFM.

 

— Michael Jonsson, Sacramento CA

APFM Membership comes with more than its benefits.

kid using megaphone
As an APFM member you become connected with professional family mediators from around the country — and the world. Your membership claims your place as a mediator committed to the highest standards of practice. Your membership strengthens the entire field of family mediation.
Join APFM Now

Questions? We’re here to help.

Visit our main contact page and options for member, membership, or general inquiries.

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