East Bay Mediation Services

Alameda mediator believes in talk

Oakland Tribune, May 22, 2003

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ROBERT D. DOERR, Ph.D., recalls taking a personality test and scoring highest in the trait of "fairness." Perhaps this innate impartiality was what drew the practicing psychotherapist to the growing field of mediation four years ago.

"I took an interest in having people come to agreement without having to go through legal hassles," says Doerr, director of Alameda Mediation Services. "People don't have to spend that money and get into nastiness and confrontation."

The mediator has seen contentious legal battles yield long- lasting, negative effects, especially when children are involved. Not that lawyers are the enemy, he says. In fact, many of his clients are referred by lawyers to resolve issues such as child custody and division of property during divorce.

Agreements reached through mediation, says Doerr, seem to net a true win-win feeling. For instance, he has helped couples think of ways to keep children in the family home and in their neighborhood schools while finding the non-custodial spouse enough money to purchase another home.

Doerr understands why clients cannot see equitable solutions when going through a divorce.

"The issues are very heart-connected. You don't want to let go of houses, children," he says.

A mediator doesn't tell his clients what the answers will be. Instead, he creates an atmosphere that allows people in conflict to come up with creative solutions. Doerr has received special training in negotiation, family law, conflict resolution and communication skills. His degrees in international mediation and psychology plus time spent in law school round out his resume.

"Mediation combines law and psychology," he says.

Going to a mediator, however, is not the same as seeking psychotherapy or counseling.

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