Frequently Asked Questions


1. What can I reach out about?

You can reach out about any area of life where clarity, communication, or support would help, including:

  • Parenting or co-parenting stress

  • Conflict with a partner or family member

  • Communication struggles with children, teens, or young adults

  • Workplace tension, burnout, or interpersonal issues

  • School concerns, IEP/504 navigation, or educator stress

  • Neighbor or community conflict

  • Medical overwhelm, appointments, or care coordination

  • Life transitions, grief, or major change

  • Re-entry after incarceration

  • Boundary-setting, decision-making, or emotional regulation

  • Feeling stuck and needing a neutral place to sort things out

If you’re unsure whether your situation fits — it does.
If it matters to you, you can bring it here.

2. Who do you work with?

I support individuals of all ages, including:

  • Young children & teens (with parent/guardian involvement)

  • Young adults (19+ and up)

  • Parents & co-parents

  • Adults & couples

  • Caregivers & blended families

  • Community members navigating conflict or change

  • Workplace teams or employees

  • People returning from incarceration or major life shifts

Support is available whether you need one conversation or ongoing guidance.

3. Do you help with issues outside of family or co-parenting?

Yes — many people use mediation or peer support for non-family situations, including:

  • Workplace miscommunication or tension

  • School or child-related concerns

  • Neighborhood or landlord disputes

  • Care coordination and medical overwhelm

  • Boundary-setting in friendships or extended family

  • Faith-community concerns

  • Community disagreements or civil conflict

  • Re-entry planning

  • Planning conversations (aging parents, relocations, big decisions)

Support is helpful anywhere people, emotions, or communication are involved — not just family matters.

4. How do I know whether I need mediation or peer support?

That depends on your goals.

Mediation is best when:

  • Two or more people need help communicating

  • Decisions, agreements, or plans are being made

  • Neutral facilitation is needed to move forward

Peer support is best when:

  • You want space to talk, process, or clarify your thoughts

  • You’re navigating stress, transitions, or overwhelm

  • You want support without formal mediation or agreements

If you’re unsure, we’ll determine the best fit together during your first contact.

5. Do you offer virtual or in-person sessions?

Yes.

  • In-person: Sidney, NE + surrounding panhandle region

  • Virtual: Statewide and beyond (depending on service type)

Virtual sessions follow the same structure and boundaries as in-person.


6. When should I schedule instead of emailing?

Schedule a session when:

  • The situation is emotional, complex, or ongoing

  • You want focused time to talk, plan, or mediate

  • You’re preparing for a difficult conversation

  • You need structured guidance, not just quick information

Email is best for logistics — scheduling, forms, quick questions, or clarifying availability.

7. Do you offer free services or sliding scale?

Some services may be offered on a sliding scale or through partner organizations, depending on availability.

Fees, payment expectations, and any reduced-cost options will always be discussed clearly before scheduling.

No session begins without shared understanding of structure and cost.

8. What happens after I send a message?

You’ll receive a reply confirming:

  • Whether your situation is a good fit

  • What type of session would help most

  • Next steps for scheduling

  • Any forms or information needed ahead of time

Most people receive a response within 1–2 business days.

9. What can I expect during our first contact?

The first conversation is simple, calm, and pressure-free.

We will:

  1. Briefly talk about what brought you here

  2. Identify what support might help

  3. Clarify what the next session will look like

  4. Answer any questions or concerns

  5. Make sure you feel comfortable with the process

There is no commitment — it’s simply a starting point.

10. Is what I share confidential?

Yes — with important limits.

  • Peer support and mediation sessions are private

  • Information is never shared without your consent

  • Mediation follows Nebraska’s neutrality + confidentiality standards

However, some situations legally require action:

  • Risk of harm to yourself or others

  • Suspected abuse or neglect

  • Court-ordered disclosures

As a State-Mandated Reporter, I must report concerns of abuse, neglect, or imminent harm.

If you’re unsure whether something is confidential, we’ll talk through it before we begin.

11. Do you keep notes or records from sessions?

Minimal records are kept, consistent with service type and legal requirements.

Mediation documentation focuses on required agreements or summaries.
Peer support notes are limited and used only to support continuity of care.

You’re welcome to ask what documentation applies to your specific service.

12. Is this a crisis or emergency service?

No.

I cannot respond immediately to emergencies.
If you’re in crisis or feel unsafe, please use:

  • 911

  • Your local crisis line

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

  • Local law enforcement or ER

Once you are safe, I can support you with next steps, planning, or processing.

13. What areas do you serve?

In-person: Sidney & the Nebraska Panhandle

  • Virtual: Statewide (NE) + additional locations depending on service

  • Workplace/Community: Hybrid options available

If you’re outside these areas, reach out — I may still be able to support you or offer referrals.

14. Do you work with court-ordered mediation?

Yes — in some cases.

I work with both court-ordered and private, out-of-court mediation, depending on the situation and referral source.

If your case is court-involved, please mention this when you reach out so we can confirm fit, documentation needs, and next steps.

15. What ages do you work with?

All ages.

  • Children: With parent/guardian involvement

  • Teens: With parental awareness, but with respect for their privacy

  • Young adults: Transitional support

  • Adults & families: Mediation & support

  • Workplaces/teams: Structured conflict support

  • Community groups: Neutral facilitation

The approach adjusts based on age and need.

16. Do you take sides?

No.

Mediation and peer support are neutral, non-clinical, non-judgmental services.
My role is to help you:

  • Communicate more clearly

  • Understand each other’s needs

  • Make decisions one step at a time

  • Find clarity, grounding, and steady support

I am here to guide — never to choose a “right” or “wrong” person.

17. Do you provide legal advice or therapy?

No.

I am not:

  • A therapist

  • A lawyer

  • A judge

  • A caseworker

I provide:

  • Mediation

  • Coaching

  • Emotional support

  • Reflection & grounding tools

  • Communication support

  • Decision-making assistance

  • Family systems + trauma-informed guidance

If you need legal or clinical help, I can direct you toward appropriate resources.

18. How do sessions work with children or teens?

Support is age-appropriate, gentle, and structured.

For young children, sessions focus on:

  • Emotion tools

  • Communication

  • Play-based grounding

  • Parent coaching with the child present or nearby, as appropriate

For teens, sessions include:

  • Space to talk freely

  • Communication strategies

  • Support navigating stress, conflict, or transitions

  • Skills for regulation and decision-making

  • Guidance for improving family communication

Parents/guardians are always part of the process in a way that is safe for the teen and supportive for the family.

19. Is youth peer support separate from family or mediation services?

Youth support often works best when families are supported too. Depending on the situation, services may include individual peer support, family advocacy, mediation, or a combination. Recommendations are made after an initial intake to ensure the right fit for the youth and family.

20. What if I’m not sure what kind of support I need?

That’s completely normal.

Send a message — we’ll sort it out together and choose the option that fits your situation best.