For dialogue and dispute resolution
Contact: Sedona City Manager’s Office, 928-204-7127

Download a PDF with a full description of Mediation Services

Sedona Mediation Services (SMS) is a non-profit program sponsored by the city to help Sedona operate as a cooperative, collaborative community. Because residents will inevitably disagree about many things, we offer ways to address those disputes respectfully and to resolve practical matters fairly.
We help people who are not communicating, or have reached a communication impasse, to discuss their disagreements and work creatively on conflict resolution, in a safe and comfortable environment, instead of fighting each other and making those problems worse.

Mediation is an informal, confidential meeting with the disputing parties, at which a neutral, trained third-party (a mediator) guides them through the process of discussing their situation and exploring ways to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution. It is a non-adversarial, private, and efficient way of resolving conflict. The mediator remains impartial regarding the issues, while facilitating constructive conversation between the parties.

Mediation is an alternative to the adversarial court process - disputing parties avoid the expense and inconvenience of going to court and having a judge dictate a decision that they may not like.

The mediator empowers them to create a win-win resolution collaboratively.
Given an opportunity, most disputants successfully resolve their argument. The primary requirement is that they be willing to sit down and talk together about solutions. The mediator is responsible for the process; the parties are responsible for the outcome.