Craine Mediation

Ellen M. Craine, JD, LMSW, ACSW specializes in divorce and family mediation. A social worker since 1991 and a divorce mediator since 1996, Ellen strongly believes in the benefits of divorce and family mediation.  Mediation can save time and money; it can promote communication and cooperation; it is in the best interests of the child(ren), and allows you to control the decisions that affect your life. In addition, mediation is confidential. Most importantly, mediation is non-adversarial.

As a neutral third party in your divorce process, the mediator assists you in the resolution of the issues in your divorce or other family dispute.  The end result is an agreement that is fair and equitable to all participants involved in the process.               

Services provided by Ellen M. Craine, JD, LMSW, ACSW include:

• Divorce and Family Mediation:

1. Mediation in all stages of the divorce process including parenting time post-divorce.
2. Mediation of eldercare issues including treatment plans, nursing home placement, etc.
3. Mediation of other family disputes: parent-child, adult sibling issues, etc.

• Domestic Abuse Screening Protocol Training for Mediators:  Ellen is one of two approved trainers for the State of Michigan to provide required training for divorce mediators who want to be on any court approved mediation list for any county. Domestic mediators are required to take a minimum of 4 hours of training in domestic abuse based on a State Court Administrator’s Office approved screening protocol for divorce cases. The training focuses on what domestic abuse is; the presumption against mediating a case where domestic abuse is found to be present; and the screening of cases both for domestic abuse and overall appropriateness for mediation. There is extensive role-playing in the training. Ellen was also part of the committee through SCAO who drafted the training.

• Parenting Time Facilitation: Predominantly court appointed, though parents may stipulate to a parenting time facilitator who facilitates parenting time schedules and issues in high conflict post-divorce cases.

• Co-Parenting Effectiveness Educator: Ellen has developed a unique program for educating parents and their ex-partners on how to co-parent more effectively. The program is for separated/divorcing parents, never married parents, and parents post-divorce. The following topics are covered: loss and grief issues, child development and normal children’s reactions to divorce/separation; effective communication skills; and the development of a co-parenting statement and plan. Training is also offered for other mediators in this area as well.

For more information and a free 15 minute phone consultation about any of these services you may contact Ellen directly at 248-539-3850. You can also learn more about Ellen and the services she provides via her web-site at www.crainemediation.com.

Background   

• Divorce mediation training, August 1996.
• Masters in Social Work, 1991 – University of Michigan.
• JD, 1987 – Wayne State University Law School.
• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, 1984 – Michigan State University.
• Member of Michigan Council For Family & Divorce Mediation Board of Directors January, 1999 to present. Education Chairperson January 1999-January 2003 and January 2005 to present; Vice President January 2002 to January 2003; President January 2003 to January 2005.
• Member, National Association of Social Workers since 1983: member of the Legislative and Social Policy Committee – Michigan Chapter NASW October 12, 1995 to June 30,1997 - Michigan Committee On Inquiry – Michigan NASW June 2003 to present.
• State Court Administrator's Office Approved Domestic Relations Mediator. 
• State Court Administrator's Office Approved Domestic Violence Screening Protocol Trainer for mediators. Has facilitated several of these trainings sponsored by Dispute Resolution Centers and by Michigan Council for Family and Divorce Mediation. 
• Michigan NASW Annual Conference – Presented five and a half hour pre-conference workshop on divorce mediation and domestic violence in divorce mediation.
• Presented the following topics at Continuing Education Programs sponsored by the Michigan Council for Family and Divorce Mediation:

1. Domestic Violence and Mediation
2. Social Work Skills for the Mediator
3. The Roles of the Mental Health Professional, Attorney, Mediator, and other professionals in mediation from the Mental Health Professional’s Perspective.  

• Schoolcraft College, Women’s Resource Center, Livonia, Michigan. Presentation on divorce mediation.
• University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Adjunct professor, Fall 1999.
• Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan. Part-time instructor for the Department of Social Work for 3 years.

 Presentations    

• Numerous presentations on divorce and divorce mediation throughout the community.
• Numerous presentations on domestic abuse.

Articles

• Numerous articles written and published about divorce mediation.

Newsletters

• For informative monthly newsletters from Craine Mediation, click here.

Articles Written

Divorce Mediation: It's Still Your Choice

Created On: 01/21/2009

The Impact of Loss and Grief on Effective Co-parenting

Created On: 01/21/2009

Lawyers

Ellen Craine

Free Case Review

Location : Farmington Hills, MI

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