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Services

Washington’s Dispute Resolution Centers (DRCs) offer affordable or free conflict resolution services outside of court, in your community and in your preferred language.

 

DRCs work with individuals and families, businesses and organizations, and communities to help people shape their own solutions, repair relationships, and build lasting solutions that work for their own lives. DRCs bring our communities:

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  • Mediation

  • Conflict coaching

  • Conciliation

  • Housing dispute resolution

  • Workplace conflict resolution

  • School restorative practices

  • Parenting plans and divorce services

  • Family mediations

  • Community dialogue facilitation

  • Conflict resolution training

  • Volunteer opportunities

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DRCs tailor their services to your local community needs and services are:

  • Free or affordable/regardless of a person’s ability to pay

  • Available to anyone in the state of Washington

  • Provided by highly trained staff, certified mediators, and volunteers 

  • Include referrals to resources including social services, housing services, and legal aid​

“I just wanted you to know that you have just witnessed more communication between us in the last three hours than we have been able to have in the last five years. Thank you.”

 

-Family mediation client

How Does Dispute Resolution and Mediation Work?

Dispute resolution helps families, businesses, and communities manage conflict through good communication and listening. With the help of a trained, neutral mediator, the people involved in a dispute meet in a safe environment to identify the problems and find solutions that meet each person’s unique needs. 

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Mediation is confidential and often faster, more affordable, and more effective than court. It can help reduce the costs of conflict, both personal and financial. Research shows that mediated agreements last longer and are more satisfying for participants than decisions imposed by others. ​​

89%

of mediation clients said they would recommend mediation to others

Mediation helps people reach their own agreement, guided by unbiased mediators through a structured negotiation process to resolve conflicts. Mediators take a neutral role to help parties communicate to reach their own solutions. 

 

Conciliation helps people in conflict reach a mutually acceptable settlement where conciliators often evaluate the situation and suggest solutions. Conciliators may take an active role in proposing resolution terms. 


Conflict coaching helps individuals build confidence, skills, and strategies to manage or resolve conflict. Coaching is an alternative option to mediation when the other party does not agree to participate or to prepare prior to mediation.

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These services are voluntary, confidential, and in most cases, non-binding alternative dispute resolution processes.

Services for Individuals

Alternative dispute resolution like conflict coaching and mediation help people shape their own solutions outside of court, repairing relationships and leading to lasting resolutions that work for their own lives. Dispute Resolution Centers offer affordable or free services across the state including:

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  • Mediation and conflict coaching

  • Landlord/tenant housing dispute resolution

  • Help for people facing eviction

  • Neighbor mediations

  • Workplace conflict resolution

  • Parenting plans 

  • Divorce services and conflict around custody

  • Family mediations

  • Help with personal or job conflicts

 

Find your local Dispute Resolution Center

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How do I know if I need a mediator?

"I really thank you for what you do to help resolve issues in a way that keeps families together."

-Familiy mediation client

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“If [the mediator] hadn't been there…I might be homeless right now.”

-Housing stability

mediation client

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“[Mediation] created the safety to begin making agreements that otherwise would not have happened."

– Mediation client

Support for organizations

DRCs have worked with small businesses, corporations, non-profit organizations, government, colleges and tribal entities to mediate conflict and train employees to more effectively manage conflict and facilitate dialogue. Your local DRC can provide:

  • Workplace or business mediation

  • Consultations and assessments

  • Conflict coaching

  • Conciliation

  • Mediations between individuals or teams

  • Public meeting facilitation and internal facilitation

  • Community conversations and dialogues

  • Conflict skills and communication training

  • Custom training

 

Find a Dispute Resolution Center in your area

 

Learn more about mediation and what kinds of conflicts can be mediated

"I am astounded and in admiration of this process. I’ve experienced. . . clear analysis and insights. Timely momentum. Ready understanding of the issue. Precise articulation of the situation and the legal options. Empathetic listening."

-Mediation client

Conflict Resolution Skills Training

Dispute Resolution Centers offer workshops, training courses and custom trainings to develop your conflict resolution skills, learn how to help others find common ground, and more effectively communicate. 

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Check out the Training Calendar or contact your local DRC about your needs

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Interested in training to provide conflict resolution services, or curious about becoming a volunteer mediator? Learn more about how mediators make life-changing differences.

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"This entire training was a game changer for the way
I listen to and speak
to others."

-Basic Mediation Training participant

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