Renée is a past President of the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation (NYSCDM) and is an Accredited Member of the State Council; an organization dedicated to providing professional mediation services to the public and offering quality continuing education to its members. She received her training in Divorce and Family Mediation from the Center for Mediation and Training in New York City. She was also certified by the Center for Dispute Settlement and the Unified Court System to mediate court-referred cases. Renee is active in continuing education and is a trainer herself. She is a leader in the mediation community.
Renée has been trained as a collaborative facilitator to work as a neutral with couples who decide to use the Collaborative Law Process for their separation/divorce. She serves on the Board of Directors for CLARA, the Collaborative Law Association of the Rochester Area. She is also a member of the IACP, International Association of Collaborative Professionals.
Renée earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling and Administration from Syracuse University and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Skidmore College. She received her mediation training in 2009; her Accreditation in mediation in 2013; and completed her collaborative training in 2014.
Renée has over 30 years of experience in helping people resolve relationship issues. Renée has used divorce mediation herself and has first-hand knowledge and experience of conflict and divorce, the mediation process, and its advantages. Her personal experience can help you by truly relating to your situation. She understands because she has been through it. She also understands blended family issues and relationship challenges that couples and families face every day.
“My personal philosophy for working with couples, individuals and families in mediation, is that people are capable of making their own decisions. My job is to facilitate that process and be sure they are making informed choices. You know your life and situation the best and should control the decisions you make regarding your life, but you need all the information to make those decisions. Mediation is wonderful because it gives people the power and control to do what’s best for their family and customize agreements, rather than having attorneys and judges deciding for them. Mediation is about empowerment, respect and choice.”
Self-determination and informed consent are the two guiding principles she works from.
“My three children are doing wonderfully post-divorce. I attribute that to the communication and cooperation that my ex-husband and I have. That model of a positive approach was driven by our experience with the mediation process. I believe strongly in the power of the mediation process. You have the power to choose a positive future for you and your children. Your success within mediation will reap rewards for you and your family indefinitely. Everyone wins, especially the children.” Studies indicate that the success of children post-divorce is directly related to how well the parents (ex-spouses) can co-parent, get along and work as a team.
Testimonials
“Renee offers empathetic and kind counsel. From Day 1 through the entire process she was scrupulously fair and always helpful to all involved. I have no hesitation in recommending her mediation services.”
-M.J.
“My husband and I went to Renee for Marital Mediation. We had a financial issue we needed to work out that was really affecting our marriage. In just two sessions we were able to negotiate a new way of dealing with our finances that is working well for us. Working with a mediator opened up a new way of thinking and working together. Thank you, Renee!”
-L.D. of Greece
“If you are getting separated or divorced, mediation is the way to go. My wife and I had a great experience and it is helping us be better parents now, post-divorce”
-G.B. of Palmyra
“Working with you has been great — as your turn-around time and attention to detail is excellent. Thanks for helping both of us during this emotional and stressful life change.”
-G.S. of Rochester
“Your calm nature helped me keep it together emotionally during our mediation session. Thank you.”
-F.S. of Fairport
“You handled a very difficult situation so professionally, Thank you”.
-D.W. of Pittsford
“Thank you very much for being so prompt, accommodating and professional. You have made this process as painless as possible.”
-D.P.
“I must say Renée, many warned me not to go with a female mediator as they tend to side with the moms despite claims of unwavering adherence to the code of ethics. You made me feel at ease from the very beginning and throughout the entire process. While it is sad that our marriage didn’t work out, I’m grateful for how you’ve helped us to this point.”
-J.P.
“Thank you for walking us through this difficult time.” -L.A.
“Thank you so much for assisting us through this matter. You made the experience very comfortable and reduced my anxiety tremendously.”
-L.A.
