Towards Harmony Mediation

Welcome to the home page of Towards Harmony Mediation!

What is Mediation?
Mediation is an alternative form of dispute or conflict resolution. The mediator is a neutral third party trained to help guide people in conflict through a private, voluntary and confidential process that can enable them to find solutions to their problems.
Mediators are not judges, therapists or attorneys. Rather, they are individuals who specialize in processes and techniques that facilitate improved dialogue and understanding between parties to help them reach agreement.
Kristen Prinzing is trained in the facilitative style of Mediation.
When is Mediation useful?
Mediation is useful and appropriate in all kinds of disputes and conflicts, from the simplest misunderstandings between individuals to extremely complex international disagreements. What mediation offers in all of these situations is a neutral third party who is trained in a process that makes it possible for all sides to have a voice, to contribute ideas, to be treated respectfully, and to have a say in the outcome.

Why should I choose Mediation?

>Mediation is less costly than conflict – in both financial and emotional terms.
>Mediation can make it possible to resolve conflict much more quickly than the courts, and more quickly than if parties chose instead to ignore problems.
>Mediation can set the stage to begin to heal old wounds or address lingering resentments.
>Mediation can sometimes offer the potential for the reconciliation of relationships, whether personal, family, workplace or between organizations or institutions.

Do I need an attorney?

You do not need to retain an attorney to participate in a mediation. If you already have an attorney, you do not have to have the attorney with you in the mediation, but you may bring your attorney if that is more comfortable for you. If you do bring an attorney, that person will only participate directly in the mediation at your discretion and with your permission.

I've decided to try mediation, now what?

I've decided to try mediation, now what?
1) Contact Kristen to let her know of your interest.
2) Kristen will schedule an intake interview and do other preliminary work with both parties.
3) A date will be set for the mediation.
4) The mediation will occur. (This usually happens in one session, but at times multiple sessions are appropriate if all parties are in agreement.)
5) If the mediation is successful, an agreement between the parties will be drafted and signed by all parties.

Contact Kristen Prinzing...

Kristen has lifelong roots in Montana. Her great Uncle homesteaded near the Little Snowy mountains in the early 1900's.
In the 1950's, her father, a graduate student at University of Montana, (where her parents met, marrying in 1965) pooled his meager resources with his older sister and together they purchased property near the mountains that later became the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness.
Kristen has spent every summer of her life reveling in the wonders of Montana, married her husband here, and relocated to Montana permanently, along with her parents, soon after she and her husband graduated from college.
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Below you will find links to other sources of information about Kristen and her work.

Professional

Activities

Organizational Affiliations

Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation