Director

Kathleen A. Chapman, B.A. (Honours), LL.B., Legal Advisor and Mediator; Director
     Kathleen has practised family law since 1975. She completed her mediation training through the University of Toronto's School of Social Work and founded The Family Mediation Centre in 1983. Since then she has established a comprehensive mediation practice together with providing training in family mediation. In addition she has completed all course requirements of the Academy of Marital and Family Therapy and is currently completing her Masters of Law in alternative dispute resolution at Osgoode Hall. Kathleen's professional interests include public education. In particular she has designed the Couples Apart...Parents Forever program for separating parents.

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Our team

• Janine Higgins, B.A. (Honours), LL.B., Training Mediator, Mediator
  Janine practised law from 1980 to 1993 and now focuses her practice in alternative dispute resolution and family, commercial and organizational mediation. In addition, she has obtained conflict resolution certification from the Justice Institute of British Columbia.
  
  
• Elisabeth Lella, B.A. LL.B., B.C.L. (Honours), Mediator
  Elisabeth is a certified family life educator and mediator and has a liberal arts education as well as civil law and common law degrees. She has extensive mediation training and experience in both family law and civil law matters. Her main areas of practice are in family law representing children and in child protection and custody/access matters. She is also a deputy judge in Small Claims Court.
  
  
• John Field, B.A., M.Sc., Mediator
  John is a certified family life educator and mediator who currently is in private practice as a mediator and individual, marital and family therapist. His areas of specialty includes men's issues, stress management, domestic violence: assessment and treatment, children of separation and divorce and relationship wellness.
  
  
• Brenda Atkinson, B.A., B.S.W., M.S.W., Consultant
  Brenda's professional interests include individual, couple and family therapy, conflict resolution in relationships as well as the workplace, and couples facing separation and divorce. Her areas of expertise include the impact of separation and divorce on children and teens, relationship counselling and the adjustment process during separation and divorce.
  
  
• Kelly Stapylton, Mediator
  Kelley received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Western Ontario in 1982. Upon graduation she worked for the Ministry of the Attorney General in the Provincial Court Criminal Division entering service as a contract enforcement clerk and finally serving as office administrator, group six. From 1987 to 1992 Kelley was in income maintenance officer of the Ministry of Community and Social Services. During this time Kelley developed and administered a specialized in-take program for abused women. From 1992 to 1999 Kelley was a parental support work for within Ministry of Community and Social Services. Kelley then pursued a variety of educational programs which have now provided her with the necessary requirements for certification by Family Mediation Canada, upon completion of her present internship with the Family Mediation Centre.
  
  
• Doug Searle, B.S.W., M.S.W.
  Doug holds a masters in social work and has worked extensively with families having a history of domestic violence. He currently works in private practice providing individual, couple and family counselling together with family mediation.
  
  
• Janet Collins, B.Sc., Ll.B., Ph.D.
  Janet practised law full time from 1987 to 1999 and now divides her time between family law and mediation. Before becoming a lawyer, Janet had an academic career as a biologist.
  
  
• Joanne Beasley, B.A., Ll.B.
  Has been practising in family law and managing a busy law firm for 12 year. Joanne also represents the director of the Family Responsibility Office. She participates actively in the community and her children’s schools. Her practice includes mediation and collaborative law.
  
  
• Brian Parsons, B.A., Mediator
  Brian is a full time mediator and has extensive background experience from senior positions in business, government and community sectors. His ability to listen and communicate by drawing on his wide range of experience provides rich examples and innovative options and solutions.