INKOVEMA Podcast „Well through time“

#163 – Mediation in a family and educational counselling centre

From DeKo to KoKo.

In conversation with Jürgen Scheidle and Ed Watzke

Well through time. The podcast about mediation, conflict coaching and organisational consulting.

Dr Ed Watzkeborn in 1951, studied sociology and education at the University of Vienna, mediator, social worker and psychotherapist, has overturned the phase-orientated understanding of mediation in German-speaking countries in thousands of mediation cases (primarily in out-of-court settlements). His transgressive mediation, based on metaphors, irritations and humorous but persistent border crossings, puts the mediation horse on the back foot. Peace Now! First the peace agreement, then the work (of the client). Mediation is not win-win, but pay-pay.

Jürgen ScheidleHead of the family and educational counselling centre of the cities of Bad Honnef and Königswinter; until 2008 youth welfare office in Bochum in various fields of youth welfare practice, most recently counselling centre for children, young people and families, street work with violent football fans, mediator, focus on family mediation and mediation in organisations; lecturer at the Protestant University of Applied Sciences for Social Work in Bochum, specialist teacher at the vocational college of the Rhineland Regional Association in Düsseldorf; various publications on various topics of youth welfare

Contents:

Our latest podcast episode is about the practice of family and educational counselling, in which mediation sometimes plays a role. We have two exceptional guests in the podcast studio: Ed Watzke, a mediation legend from Vienna, and Jürgen Scheidle, head of a family and educational counselling centre. This episode not only sheds light on the challenges and solutions in conflict resolution within families, but also offers inspiring insights into the art of mediation and communication.

Ed Watzke, with his many years of experience as a mediator in highly escalated ongoing conflicts, shares his fascinating metaphor of mushroom picking with us: the philosophy behind successful conflict resolution is similar to the success of mushroom picking: If you look for mushrooms, you usually won't find any. The important thing is to find the right environment in which mushrooms can thrive. In this interpretation, mediation is like picking mushrooms. It is not about frantically searching for solutions - rather, the aim is to create the right environment in which solutions can emerge naturally. This perspective opens up a view of conflict not as obstacles, but as opportunities for growth and understanding. Ed emphasises the importance of patience, attention and the right communication to create such an environment where solutions can sprout like mushrooms.

Jürgen Scheidle brings his extensive experience in family and parenting counselling to the discussion and emphasises the importance of support structures and resources for families in conflict situations. His approach aims not only to resolve conflicts, but also to develop preventative strategies that have long-term positive effects on family life. Jürgen illustrates how empathic listening and encouraging open communication can build a bridge between family members that promotes understanding and respect. In doing so, he describes without any glossing over or naivety that counselling work in family and educational counselling is challenging and sometimes frustrating.

This episode is worthwhile for anyone interested in the dynamics of conflict resolution within families or looking for effective communication strategies for counselling families. The conversations with Ed Watzke and Jürgen Scheidle offer insights into the practice of mediation and family counselling, enriched with practical advice and inspiring thoughts.

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  • Seminar note: Ed Watzke in Bonn, June 2024 (LINK).