Vanessa Linsey
Family mediator working with couples who want to sustain/strengthen, rescue/rebuild, or restructure/dissolve a marriage… & mom/stepmom of 7
Practice Details
I am a family mediator offering a full spectrum of services to couples:
Pre-marital Mediation: The healthiest couples are ones who have appropriate expectations of, feel securely attached to, and support the dreams and achievements of each other. Creating a non-legal togetherness contract prior to cohabitation or marriage not only solidifies a strong foundation for partnership, but also serves as an opportunity to share views on finances, sex, children, lifestyle, health, hobbies, extended family, education, life goals, and more.
Couples Mediation: Annual relationship check-ups “divorce-proof” a marriage. In these sessions, couples assess their marital health, set long and longer term goals, share concerns, and update conflict resolution skills. Couples do the work (which can be really fun!) so their marriage can go the distance.
Discernment (stay-or-go) Mediation: Couples save years of waffling in a rocky relationship through this 8-week decision-focused process. Couples complete a proven intake method (used by 4 million couples over 40 years) to assess relationship strengths and growth areas, then engage in productive conversation and meaningful homework over 4 sessions. After 8 weeks, the couple should know whether or not the marriage is salvageable.
Divorce Agreement: The majority of my clients are divorcing couples who prioritize their peace of mind, their children's wellness, and their financial stability. I help clients design a parenting plan, divide assets, draft a separation agreement, and fill out court paperwork. My clients will tell you my strengths are: creating comfortable space to experience divorce; connecting them with helpful professionals; and drafting clear, well-organized, thorough, thoughtful agreements.
A client who hired me for both discernment and divorce services recently wrote me:
"Thank you again for all the work and care and hand-holding through this process. I don’t know how you do it, but as I said, you’re clearly gifted at it and we were lucky to have your support."
You can see more client testimonials on my website vanessalinsey.com.
Address
Degrees and Experience
Bachelors in Speech Communication, Cum Laude, Bridgewater State College
Certificate in Professional Mediation, Cornell University's ILR School
Divorce Mediation Training, Mediation Works Inc
Juvenile Mediation Training, Mediation Works Inc
Elder Mediation Training, Elder Decisions
Couples Coach Certification, Prepare-Enrich
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Graduate, UMass Center for Mindfulness
Author and Speaker, Metta Mom: A Mindful Guide to Managing Your Mood & Your Brood
Cofounder and Teacher, Chrysalis Meditation Center
Professional Memberships
Massachusetts Council of Family Mediators
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
En Ka Society
Regional Information
I mediate online and in person. Most of my clients do a little of both. Thanks to Zoom, we serve couples from Nantucket to North Adams. Couples in the metro north area are welcome to attend mediation or coaching sessions in person.
Fee Information
My fees are listed clearly on my website vanessalinsey.com. I offer a sliding scale to those who cannot afford the full rate and meet income requirements.
