While the mediator helps you articulate your needs and concerns, you must be able to advocate for yourself if the process is to work. You are encouraged to consult with other experts, including attorneys, accountants, financial advisers and therapists as needed, before, during, and after the mediation, and you may bring them into the mediation room if you feel that you need assistance to present your perspectives effectively. The majority of people derive tremendous benefits and advantages from mediating a separation or divorce, issues of custody and visitation and property distribution as well as a wide array of other family disputes.

The mediator is responsible to assess, both at the outset and throughout the process, whether additional protocols (such as individual sessions, or safety measures) need to be incorporated into the process, or whether to terminate the mediation and make appropriate referrals to other resources. However, if you do not believe that you can speak freely in front of the other participant(s) about your needs and concerns, or if there is a substantial power imbalance or active domestic violence, then mediation may not be the best choice for you.