SERVICES
Domestic Violence Cases
Information for attorneys, courts, and clinicians. If you are personally affected, please see the Safety page.
Specially Trained in Domestic Violence Issues
Julie is a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Listed Mediator with the Family designation "Specially Trained in Domestic Violence Issues." It reflects additional training in recognizing abuse and coercive control, screening, and structuring mediation safely.
Her LPC training in trauma and power dynamics adds clinical judgment about when a party cannot participate safely or freely.
The legal threshold
Victims of domestic violence are not required to mediate. Where there is an order of protection or a finding of abuse, mediation may proceed only if:
- the protected party agrees;
- the mediator is trained in domestic and family violence in a way that protects the victim's safety; and
- the protected party may bring a supporting person of their choice.
For reference: Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 36-4-131(d), 36-6-409(5).
How Julie handles DV cases
- Private, individual screening with each party before anything is scheduled.
- Shuttle mediation with the parties in separate rooms.
- Courthouse settings, arranged with the court and counsel.
- Separate virtual rooms, so parties never share a screen.
- Staggered arrival and departure times.
- In cases with an order of protection or a finding of abuse, the protected party has the right to bring a support person of their choice, such as an attorney or advocate. The other party may also bring a support person.
- A right to pause or stop at any time; Julie ends the mediation if safety or free participation is at risk.
- Locations are never shared with the other party.
- If a court-ordered mediation is or is likely to become unsafe, unfair, or harmful, Julie informs the court and ends or suspends the mediation, as Rule 31 requires.
Why the courthouse
For some DV cases, courthouse facilities add security and structure. These sessions are arranged with the court and counsel.