What Participants Are Saying
Participants in my Basic Mediation Training come from a wide range of professional and personal backgrounds. Some are preparing to become mediators, while others are looking for new ways to understand conflict, communicate more effectively, or strengthen skills they already use in their work. Here is what past participants have shared about their experience.
“This specific training exercises skills that are widely applicable to any interpersonal communication. The pace of the learning is just right. The roleplays will challenge you and lead you to think about how you communicate in your life and possibly make significant changes. While you may not want to have a career in mediation, this training is an incredible addition to your current communication skill set.”
“This training is fun, interactive and well worth the time. The skills you learn here can be used in personal relationships and help you to grow as a professional. Elena is so knowledgeable and is a wonderful teacher. I highly recommend this training!”
“This was an excellent introduction to mediation. I came into the course not knowing anything about it and am leaving feeling confident and excited to help people. If you are considering mediation as a job or just to add the skills, I highly recommend this course.”
“This Basic Mediation training is a wonderful introduction to the art of dispute resolution. The instructor does a masterful job of providing the student with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to assist parties to resolve differences in a number of ways. The pace was excellent and the instructor is a caring and gifted communicator. Because of my limited education, I wasn't sure that I belonged in this setting but the instructor made me confident that, with practice and commitment to excellence, my input could be beneficial to others in need. Students get a chance to practice interactively with excellent coaches providing great feedback. Lose your inhibitions and dive in for a most rewarding experience!”
“I have never gotten such meaningful feedback from a training.”
“Elena's basic mediation course is fun, engaging throughout, and incredibly informative. I feel ready to take the next steps in my mediation journey. My favorite part is Elena is not stuck in one setting, such as court-involved mediation only. She shares a variety of perspectives and settings -- exactly what I was hoping for.”
“I'm typically shy and reserved when it comes to trainings/classes while learning something new. Elena is great as an instructor and knows the materials she teaches thoroughly. She made the time go by quick and kept my interest entirely. Her tone and demeanor made me comfortable enough to want to participate in the class activities and share my opinions. The coaches she brings in to help with the role play mediation sessions were so helpful and gave positive constructive feedback. Role play situations are not my forte, but with Elena's encouragement and guidance I was able to break out of my comfort zone to get it done.”
“The mediation training program was an incredible experience that provided both practical skills and deep insights into conflict resolution. The professional trainer created a supportive and interactive learning environment, making even the most challenging topics clear and engaging. The schedule was well-structured and easy to follow, allowing me to absorb the material without feeling overwhelmed. As someone who speaks English as a second language, I truly appreciated how accessible and inclusive the training was. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to develop their mediation skills in a professional yet welcoming setting.”
“This program was not only educational, but great to be a part of. Elena is an amazing teacher who provides an engaging and interactive learning environment.”
“By immersing yourself in the Basic Mediation Training with Elena Sapora you will understand conflict better and shift your relationship with conflict. This training will give you the tools that you need to assess a situation, uncover what the issues are, and guide participants toward their desired outcomes. This course enables you to help people to have difficult conversations about things that matter to them.”
“This training is part theory, part hands on, part instruction and part discussion--and balances the practical applications of mediation's skills, tools and wisdom with a deep dive into its core principles and competencies.”
“The online format was interactive and inviting, I felt like I was in Elena's office with 25 other people.”
“I came into this training wanting to learn the basics of mediation, but I left with much more than that. I learned about a new way of approaching conversations, listening with curiosity, and understanding others’ perspectives. It was both practical and deeply reflective, and I’m grateful for how it’s already influencing how I show up in my work and daily life.”
“The experience was transformative. It was incredibly beneficial to participate in this training which so clearly grounded the work in the core principles of mediation; the importance of party self-determination particularly resonated deeply with me. As an attorney familiar with the often adversarial nature of litigation and the courtroom, I found this training provided the valuable shift in perspective required to fully support parties through the mediation process.”
“Anyone interested in taking this training should expect to be challenged in new ways, but should embrace the work and difficulty because at the end of the program you will come out of it with skills that will not only be helpful in mediation but in your personal and professional life.”
“This training was amazing from start to finish. I’ve never looked forward to a training session until this one.”
“I highly recommend this training to anyone interested in mediation, conflict resolution, or improving their communication skills. The program was engaging, practical, and supportive, with a great balance of instruction and hands-on practice. I left feeling more confident in my ability to listen effectively, manage difficult conversations, and approach conflict in a constructive way. Whether you are pursuing ADR professionally or simply want skills that are valuable in everyday life, this training provides a strong and rewarding foundation.”
“Elena is a fantastic instructor and the course is helpful not only in the field of mediation but also in our day to day lives. This course has helped me to go deeper beyond what may appear to be the conflict on the surface to attempt to resolve what is spoken and unspoken.”
“I took this training somewhat on a whim, and I’m really glad I did. The instructors were thoughtful, engaging, and created a welcoming space to learn. The role-playing exercises made the skills feel real very quickly. I was genuinely struck by how powerful active listening and reflection can be. I’m leaving with practical tools I know I’ll use for years.”
“I would highly recommend Elena's beginner course for anyone interested in doing mediation work. She provides an outstanding foundation of the core principles and skills needed to mediate cases, and her training style will keep you engaged the whole time.”