Clergy & Mediation

Professionals — Mediation

The Toby Center works with clergy, faith communities, mediators, and community leaders to support families navigating separation, divorce, and child custody transitions.

Clergy & Mediation | The Toby Center

Note: The world of family change is challenging for all family members. Increasingly, it is becoming more important for family professionals — including clergy and mediators — to understand the nature of families when parents separate and divorce. The Toby Center is here to help.

Our Approach

Helping Families Through Transition

The Toby Center partners with clergy, faith-based organizations, and professional mediators to support families in conflict. We believe that anger will subside and give way to rational thought — and that communities of faith and skilled mediators play a vital role in this process.

Generations Impacted

Child custody determinations may impact a family for up to 150 years — six generations. Thoughtful mediation changes outcomes for children.

40%

Self-Represented Parents

Nearly 40% of parents represent themselves in family court — many of these families turn to clergy and community leaders first for guidance.

30%

Children Without Access

Thirty percent of children needing supervised visitation are unable to have this precious and necessary time due to financial barriers.

Dr. Mark Roseman — Founder & Executive Director

"We all have the responsibility as a community to improve child outcomes when parents separate."

Says Dr. Roseman: "As the research shows that child custody determinations and orders may impact a child's family up to 150 years — six generations — then we all have the responsibility as a community to improve child outcomes when parents separate. We need to understand that in most cases, anger will subside and give way to rational thought. So, too, will court decisions have more effectiveness when mediation and co-parenting are the resolution for high conflict that so often characterizes separation and divorce."

Family Court Mediation

Mediation & Parent Coordination

Mediation is the process where separated parents can reach decisions on everything affecting their lives following a separation and divorce, especially child custody and visitation considerations. Mediation and Parent Coordination are the most important methods which permit both parents to determine themselves how they wish to parent their children.

What is Mediation?

A process where separated parents reach decisions on child custody, visitation, and support without going to court.
Facilitated by a professional State Certified Mediator or formally trained mediator.
Meetings are confidential — no record is kept of the discussions by the mediator.
No legal advice is given in this process. Parties voice their own concerns and expectations.
We find that mediation is most successful when parents mediate without attorneys present.
Your Mediator will listen to each parent and help them reach an agreement to be brought to Court for ratification.
Court and attorney costs are avoided or minimized when parties settle through mediation.
Mediations can be scheduled to accommodate the time constraints of the parties.

Why Mediation Works

By reaching a settlement through mediation, parties complete an agreement they want — not what the Court would impose.
Mediation is a wonderful opportunity for both parents to voice their concerns without judgment.
The State of Florida mandates at least one hour of mediation before coming to Court for custody matters.
Toby Center specializes in shared parenting planning — bringing specialized child-rearing knowledge to the mediation process.
Individual and Couples Coaching/Counseling is available alongside mediation to help navigate the divorce process.
Mediation outcomes improve significantly when both parties are emotionally supported throughout the process.
Parent Coordination helps implement and monitor agreed-upon parenting plans after mediation is complete.

How It Works

The Mediation Process

Schedule & Intake

Retainer paid. Both parties agree to mediate. Intake forms completed. First session scheduled.

Mediation Sessions

Certified mediator facilitates confidential discussions. Parents voice concerns and work toward agreement.

Parenting Plan

Mediator prepares the agreed Parenting Plan and/or Marriage Settlement Agreement upon completion.

Court Ratification

Agreement is brought to Court for ratification. Parents have a plan they created — not one imposed by a judge.

Service Fees

Mediation & Coordination Fee Requirements

Service	Retainer Required	Additional Billing	Notes
Family Court Mediation	$900 prior to first appointment	Billed per session — paid in full before continuing	Final Parenting Plan / MSA provided upon payment in full
Parent Coordination	$1,500 prior to first appointment	Hourly as retainer is expended — notification provided	Toby Center notifies client when additional funds are due
Child Reunification Therapy	Per fee schedule	Per session	See current fee schedule for rates

Pre-arranged pricing: If you have a pre-arranged price with The Toby Center, please contact us directly before scheduling. The State of Florida mandates at least one hour of mediation to attempt a co-parenting agreement before coming to Court for further assistance.

For Clergy & Faith Leaders

The Role of Clergy in Family Transitions

Clergy and faith leaders are often the first people families turn to during separation and divorce. The Toby Center partners with clergy of all faiths to provide resources, training, and referral pathways that help congregation members navigate these difficult transitions.

Community Collaboration

Clergy and family professionals working together to preserve family ties

Dr. Mark Roseman and Dr. Mark T. Jones, Sr. have come together to launch programming to better serve the community alongside Family Attorneys, Therapists, Social Workers, Legislators, Pediatricians, Clergy, Guidance Counselors, Court Administration and Mediators. The Toby Center believes that 'we are all a village' — and that clergy play a uniquely trusted role in guiding families toward healing and resolution.

Trusted Guide

Clergy as First Responders

Congregation members often speak to clergy before attorneys or therapists during family crisis. Clergy can guide families toward appropriate professional resources — including mediation, supervised visitation, and counseling.

Referral Partner

Connecting Families to Services

The Toby Center welcomes referrals from clergy. If a member of your congregation is navigating separation, divorce, or a custody dispute, we provide the full array of services they may need — supervised visitation, mediation, therapy, and co-parenting education.

Training Available

Professional Development for Faith Communities

The Toby Center offers professional training for agencies and faith communities, including seminars on co-parenting, family conflict, resolving conflict through mediation, and parents in conflict with child dual loyalties.

Training Seminar

Resolving Conflict Through Mediation

This Toby Center seminar examines the role of mediation in problem solving and human conflict. The emphasis is on adapting mediation styles and form to unique conflict situations to improve the agreement outcomes sought through the mediation process.

Seminar Learning Objectives

Provide individuals a working definition of mediation based on goal and environment.
Create an awareness of when mediation will be useful in family and professional settings.
Show how to adapt mediation methods to avoid or reduce the challenges of co-workers and co-parenting.
Understand the formal role of mediation in resolving family issues including court-ordered family mediation.
Explore the unique dynamics of workplace and home environments as sites of adult conflict.
Examine historical and common sources of conflict in family and professional settings.

Additional Training Topics Available

Anger Management: Resolving Conflict Through Personal Awareness
Family Law: Issues and Process
Parents in Conflict and the Child with Dual Loyalties
Fight or Flight: Remaining Calm Under Stress
Domestic Abuse: Understanding Violence and Aggression
Rebuilding Relationships
Single Parenting: Facts and Myths
Buddy Lunch: Peer Support for Public School Students
Advocacy for Non-Profits: Blending Advocacy with Human Services

Professional Development

Training for Agencies & Faith Communities

Let a Toby Center consultant train your staff or congregation with knowledge and skills in co-parenting, blended family, and child access issues.

View Training

Continuing Education

Continuing Education & CLEs

Continuing education resources for mediators, attorneys, and other family professionals — including Family Law issues, process, and child outcomes.

View CLEs

Workshop Booklet

Helping Children Thrive — Workshop Booklet

Download the Toby Center Training and Workshops booklet — a comprehensive guide to our professional development programming.

Download PDF

"Mediation is a wonderful opportunity for both parents to voice their concerns without judgment, and to achieve resolution of what would otherwise be a very emotional and financial expense. We find that when more services are available to clients, conflict is reduced, confidence is restored and clarity in one's life can continue."

— Dr. Mark Roseman, Founder & Executive Director, The Toby Center for Family Transitions

Services

Toby Center Services for Mediators & Clergy

A full array of wraparound services — mediation, therapy, parenting education, and supervised visitation — available for referral by clergy, mediators, and community professionals.

Mediation

Family Court Mediation

Separated parents reach decisions on child custody, visitation, and support through a confidential, facilitated process. State Certified Mediators. Retainer: $900.

Core Service

Supervised Visitation

Safe, neutral environments where professionals facilitate meaningful parent-child contact, ensuring every child's safety and comfort.

Therapy

Child Reunification Therapy

Specialized therapeutic services to rebuild the parent-child relationship following estrangement, alienation, or extended absence.

Counseling

Individual & Family Counseling

Individual and couples coaching/counseling available to help navigate the divorce process or to build upon their relationships during challenging transitions.

Parent Education

Florida 4-Hour Parent Stabilization Course

Florida-mandated 4-hour parent education course. Also available: Co-Parenting Skills Education Program for agencies and community groups.

Exchange

Monitored Child Exchange

A neutral, family-friendly location where a third party facilitates the controlled and documented transfer of children between parents or guardians.

Who We Serve

Separating and divorcing parents and their children
Grandparents and extended family members seeking access
Families referred by clergy, faith communities, and counselors
Court-ordered clients in supervised visitation programs
Parents voluntarily seeking mediation and parenting plans
Agencies needing training and professional development
Attorneys and GALs requiring neutral service providers

Service Locations

Florida — Broward, Palm Beach, and surrounding counties. Main office: 100 East Linton Blvd, Suite 306A, Delray Beach, FL 33483
Connecticut — Statewide coordination available
Massachusetts — Statewide coordination available
Virtual services available in additional states (licensed therapists follow state licensing restrictions)
Clergy and community referrals welcomed across all service areas

Contact

Get in Touch with The Toby Center

We welcome inquiries from clergy, mediators, faith communities, and all family professionals. A specialist is available for your agency's training needs and consultation.

Founder & Executive Director

Dr. Mark Roseman

mark.roseman@thetobycenter.org (561) 244-0010

Main Office

The Toby Center

855-862-9236 info@thetobycenter.org Request Training Info