MCFM Standards & Certification

In 1984, MCFM was the first statewide organization to adopt standards of practice for mediators. All mediators listed in the MCFM Referral Directory annually agree to abide by these standards. View and download the MCFM Standards of Practice.

The definition of Family Mediation adopted by the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation continues to be the basis for these Standards. The definition is as follows:

Family Mediation offers a voluntary, non-adversarial, dispute resolution option to couples and families who are in the process of restructuring their lives. The parties are helped to reach a self-determined and reasonable agreement by a trained, neutral, third party: a mediator. The structured process is based upon a profound respect for the parties' autonomy and their ability to reach a fair and workable agreement.

MCFM Certification

MCFM was the first organization to certify family mediators in Massachusetts. Certification is reserved for members of the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation with significant mediation experience, advanced training, and education. Extensive mediation experience may be substituted for an advanced academic degree.

The purpose of our mediation certification program is to promote high standards for the practice of divorce mediation as well as to provide education as needed to mediators as part of our certification process. We pledge to work with mediators applying for certification to help them succeed in obtaining this credential whenever possible.

Mediators interested in becoming MCFM-certified please see the Become a Certified Mediator page.