1992-2025:  Thirty-three years in practice, helping New Mexicans resolve conflicts and make better decisions together!

Welcome!   My name is Philip Crump. I am a professional mediator.
This means that mediation (and the related process of group facilitation) is my work and career; it is not a side-job. I am neither an attorney nor a psychologist. Since I embarked on this path in 1992, I have received training and experience in diverse areas--divorce and child custody, workplace and employment, disability and special education, construction and business, to name a few.

In my years of professional practice, I have come to know that when people take the opportunity to sit together in private with a neutral third party and openly exchange their perspectives--their hopes and fears--such that they can really understand one another, they can resolve their differences and create a better future for themselves.

ARE YOU involved in a difficult situation...   
    • that continues, despite your best efforts?   
        • that drains your spirit, resources, energy?   
            • that you want resolved quickly, with dignity?             
YOU CAN reach a complete, cooperative and constructive resolution—                    through mediation with a skilled and experienced mediator.

Now conducting online mediation through Google Meet!
Contact me to schedule a free introduction and consultation

WHAT IS MEDIATION?
Mediation is a confidential, voluntary and informal process in which people make their own agreements with the assistance of a third person.  Mediation is a way for people to make their own creative and fair decisions together regarding their disputed issues.

When you want cost-effective and low-impact decision-making, you can use the assistance of a neutral mediator, who doesn’t take sides or have a stake in the outcome of those decisions. Mediating parties have all the decision-making power; they lose this power in arbitration or litigation. There is no third party (judge or arbitrator) telling anybody what to do.

Mediators help each person express perspectives and needs in ways that others may hear and understand. When people really understand what each other's issues or needs are, they usually are more able to respond positively to those needs. 

I can help people distinguish their positions (what they want) from their needs and interests (why they want them); disputing parties often disagree about the positions each one takes, but they can usually understand the needs and interests.

I am strongly committed to creating safe spaces in which people problem-solve together to make effective mutual decisions.

My commitment:
* To move people confronting a difficult situation along a common path toward mutual, lasting resolution of their issues,
* So that they experience relief, renewed personal strength, and increased capacity to work together comfortably,
* Thereby best serving themselves and those that they influence.

Why Mediation works:
§  You remain in control—in a confidential, informal and flexible process at your pace
§  You get more of what you need—resolution of the important issues, big and small
§  Mediation is more affordable—and often faster than other ways of settling disputes
§  Mediation is positive—“win-win” means focus on getting everyone’s needs met
§  Mediation inspires creativity—freedom to explore options collaboratively, safely
§  Mediation encourages hope—open doors to formerly unseen possibilities
§  Mediation is goal-oriented—to your own fair, complete, durable resolution of issues

WHAT IS MY APPROACH?
For me, mediation focuses on how people want things to be in the future (what they can influence) rather than on the past (what they can't change). It is about creating a positive future rather than remaining stuck in pain, blame and retribution. Recognizing that actions in the past may have impact, however, the mediator can help people say what they need in order to move beyond past events.

I do not practice “muscle” mediation; I do not tell parties what they should do or force them to accept a particular decision or outcome. Clarifying questions help reduce the misunderstanding so often a part of conflicts. I can help brainstorm possible approaches to resolution. Cooperative problem solving replaces personal assumptions. I do have a responsibility to help people “reality test” proposals for resolution they may bring forward, including the consequences for not accepting a less-than-perfect outcome.

                      Mediate, don't Litigate!
Avoid the expense and trauma of judical processes. Use a confidential and collaborative process that preserves civiity and respect.

WHAT DOES IT COST?
In general, because there are no extensive fees for preparation, documentation, discovery, filing of motions or other activities associated with legal actions, the cost of a mediated resolution is often much less than settlement via litigation.

In addition, the emotional cost tends to be much lower, since mediation provides a safe means of addressing relationship concerns as well as facilitating settlement of the specific issues. The costs and conditions are outlined in an Agreement to Mediate signed by everyone present at the session. Sessions usually run an hour and a half to two hours.

PHILIP CRUMP, PROFESSIONAL MEDIATOR
My clients know me for my skill, integrity, empathy and calm professionalism. Since 1992, I have helped many people find effective and peaceful ways to reach mutual  positive resolution of their issues. Through my own varied life experience, I understand diverse perspectives and issues.
I can help you be your best, even in trying times!

A New Mexico resident since 1969 and a Santa Fe resident since 1989, my work history includes Peace Corps (India), extensive construction experience and public school teaching. My mediation practice embraces many areas of resolution, including:

• divorce, child custody and family issues
• workplace and EEOC conflict (with individuals and groups)  
• construction and business conflicts   
• organization issues     
• facilitation of public and private meetings

The diversity of my extensive professional training illustrates the importance for me continually to hone my skills and perspectives through ongoing professional development. This is one of the ways in which I provide the highest level of competence to my clients. See my Resume here:

My promise: Tell me your positive goals for resolution. I will help you get there.