Dragonfly Mediation: Navigating Family Challenges with Compassion and Expertise | Written By: Lindsay W.
Based in Dufferin County, Dragonfly Mediation, owned by Tina Hinsperger, is a family and child inclusive mediation service. As an accredited family mediator and registered social worker, Tina has over 25 years of experience in private practice working with separated families and as a child protection worker. Dragonfly Mediation provides a variety of services to help individuals navigate grief over ending relationships and make major decisions about their children and future.
Dragonfly Mediation offers both mediation and counselling services, focusing on separated or divorced families. “As a family mediator, I facilitate conversations between separating parents to assist them in resolving decision-making and parenting time issues,” says Tina. In Child Inclusive mediation, “it allows for the consideration of the child’s wishes and preferences,” adds Tina. Before moving forward with either session, there is an initial intake interview with each party. If appropriate, the process then proceeds to mediation. At the end of the process, “I prepare a written Mediation Report outlining everything they have agreed upon” says Tina. Mediation is a cost-effective way to resolve agreements, and rather than negotiating through lawyers, families can share the cost of a family mediator.
“Dragonflies represent transformation, self-realization and determination.” “This is the message of hope I want to provide to my clients,”
One specific service Dragonfly Mediation offers is Elder Mediation, which Tina began learning when there were no courses available in Ontario in 2012. Elder Mediation can involve more people than regular mediation, and “provides an opportunity to have difficult conversations about issues relating to the elderly person,” explains Tina. This includes moving homes, discussing support options, end-of-life planning, and choosing power of attorney. “Given the aging population, it makes sense to offer support to families” Tina says.
There are benefits to both mediation and counselling. With counseling, Tina works with individuals to “support them and assist them in reflecting upon what needs to change and shift for them” explains Tina. Providing individual counselling in the realm of divorce or separation, Tina helps parents “disengage from conflict and work through their grief while navigating the details of their separation.”
Through working with a range of clients from diverse backgrounds over the decades, Tina is committed to creating Dragonfly Mediation, a safe and inclusive environment for her clients. “I take training in the area of Diversity and Equity Issues,” explains Tina “I have been part of Diversity and Equity committees over the past 25-30 years,” always being sensitive and understanding to various cultures and faiths.
Regarding the future of Dragonfly Mediation, Tina hopes to begin facilitating cooperative parenting courses again and continue expanding her coaching around divorce. Tina explains, “I want to provide other brief seminars to support individuals with grief, communication and other struggles during the initial period of separation.” With most of clients being referrals, “I am still trying to grow a following through social media so I can reach more people” Tina shares, noting that she only started a website a couple years ago.
Dragonfly Mediation is dedicated to helping children and families in need of a neutral and empathetic mediator. “What is always the most rewarding for me is when parties are able to reach resolution,” exclaims Tina. “When parents are able to release their anger and be able to focus on what’s best for their children…the entire family can move forward.”