The boundaries between mediation and therapy: Ethical dilemmas

The authors look at role dilemmas faced by mediators in both court‐referred and privately referred situations. The question raised is whether a mediator may ethically mediate with a couple after having functioned as a therapist for one or both of the parties, or whether after mediation the professional should ever serve as therapist for either or both parties. The authors discuss the existing professional standards, the differences in role conflict for attorneys and therapists, and case examples.