Established in March 2013, Bayside Mediation provides separating couples with a faster, cheaper and kinder alternative to litigation. From a single Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, we have grown to a team of three (legally accredited family mediators), and have recently expanded our premises to include a number of purpose-built mediation suites. For our clients, this means when they are ready to take the next step, we are able to provide them with an appointment within the week.
Each Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner on our team was drawn to family mediation because of what they experienced personally and encountered professionally in the Family Law system. Disheartened and disillusioned with the devastating financial and emotional impact on families, we are united in our determination to find a better way.
While many practitioners are trained not to be attached to outcomes, and to only provide a process – we are unapologetically invested in achieving positive results for our clients and their children. We design a process that best suits our clients’ needs. We support our clients, helping to smooth the way as they walk this unfamiliar road of transitioning from an intact family to a non-intact family, with one overarching goal: to empower clients to make the best possible decisions for their families, both financially and emotionally.
Dianne is the principal mediator at Bayside Mediation, having founded the company 6 years ago. As a Nationally Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and Mediator with 15 years’ experience, Dianne works with families to minimise the distress and confusion that comes with the breakdown of a family. Dianne’s focus is firmly on the care and wellbeing of the children of the relationship, while at the same time ensuring that all agreements reached are fair and equitable to all parties involved.
Dianne understands her client’s requirements for a confidential, timely and considered approach to their family’s needs at this most difficult time. Her clients benefit from her experience, knowledge and training in Family Law; she is able to help her clients make sense of the process of Family Law and support and clarify the choices available to them. Her goal is to help clients create solid workable agreements that can provide clarity and guidance which allows a couple to move on from their disagreements. Dianne has undertaken extra training in dealing with difficult personalities and has experience with high conflict couples. No matter what the circumstances, as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Dianne endeavours to help the separating couples she works with to make the best choices possible for their family and their children.
Alina practiced Family Law for several years after completing a Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Laws at Monash University in 2002. She volunteered at the Family Law Assistance Program run by Monash Oakleigh Legal Service. During her time as a solicitor she represented clients in a wide range of parenting and property disputes and it was then that she came to understand the true value of conciliation and negotiation in matters involving family breakdowns and children. When she started her own family, Alina moved away from the law to run the retail operations of a family business.
However, she missed being able to help and support couples through the difficulties experienced during separation and divorce. Alina’s real passion lay in advocating for the best interests of children and becoming a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner offered her the opportunity to combine her knowledge of the law and her compassion for families and children, whilst offering a genuine alternative to litigation. As a qualified and registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner Alina’s goal is to inform, support and upskill her clients so that they are able to move through this difficult time smoothly and efficiently, and for any children of the relationship to be protected from conflict so that they may adjust and thrive. Alina enjoys providing advice and strategies on post separation parenting, and is able to assist clients with mediating Parenting Plans, Property Settlements and Child Support Agreements. She also assists clients to formalise their agreements by way of Consent Orders filed with the Family Court.
Sophie is a clinical psychologist with more than 20 years experience working with families and children. She is also a trained Child Inclusive Practitioner and Parental Coordinator, along with being a qualified Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. Working with families with children is Sofie’s strength and passion.
Cathy is a Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years’ experience, considered to be a pioneer in the field of Child Inclusive Mediation as she was extensively involved in the original development and pilot study of Child Inclusive Practice in FDR with Dr Jenn McIntosh at The Family Mediation Centre. She went on to join the training team with Jenn McIntosh to roll out the Child Inclusive Practice training to the majority of FRC’s across Australia. Cathy continues to clinically supervise a number of teams in Victoria and interstate in the areas of FDC, CIP, family counselling and child contact centre work; as well as run a thriving private practice in Ormond. She is part of our team providing Child Inclusive Mediation to our clients.
As the newest member of the Bayside Mediation team, Kevin brings a wealth of experience, having worked in corporate Australia for over 25 years. A dedicated father of two young girls, his own unsettling experience of separation and divorce fuelled his interest in a better way to separate. As a now fully qualified and accredited Family Dispute Resolutions practitioner, Kevin prioritises a child-focused/child-inclusive approach to ensure that children’s best interests are always front, and centre of any agreement reached with his clients.
Couple this with Kevin’s highly tuned communication and interpersonal skills; he can effectively facilitate negotiations between parties, finding solutions to highly complex and often sensitive problems. Helping negotiate parenting plans and financial and property settlements, and offering strategies to support separating families through all stages of separation.
Kevin’s commercial background uniquely positions him to facilitate mediations involving business valuations and complex asset pools. As a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and an accredited mediator through the Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department, Kevin approaches his work with a compassionate and focused commitment to finding coordinated and effective solutions for families in crisis.
With Kevin’s expertise and guidance, families work together to achieve positive outcomes and move forward in a healthy and productive way.
With 10 Years Of Bayside Mediation Experience
