Mediation Services in Denison, Sherman, Grayson County, and North Texas
Professional mediation for families, businesses, churches, organizations, and individuals
Conflict can damage relationships, disrupt organizations, create financial strain, and create unnecessary stress. Mediation provides a confidential, structured process for addressing disagreements, improving communication, and working toward practical resolution.
Anthony P. Blackburn, LCSW, LCDC, MBA, MA, is a Texas mediator, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, private practice owner, retired U.S. Air Force First Sergeant, and graduate of Southern Methodist University's dispute resolution program. He brings experience in counseling, mediation, conflict resolution, business, leadership, crisis response, and high-stress decision-making.
Services are provided through Blackburn Social Services, PLLC.
To ask whether mediation may be appropriate for your situation, call or text the office at 903-361-6083 to request a brief scheduling conversation.
How Mediation Works
Mediation is a structured process that helps people address disagreements through guided communication, problem-solving, and negotiation.
The mediator does not take sides, make decisions for the participants, provide counseling, or provide legal representation. Instead, the mediator helps participants communicate more effectively, clarify concerns, explore options, and work toward mutually acceptable solutions.
Many disputes can be resolved more effectively when people have an opportunity to be heard and work through issues in a structured environment.
Benefits of Mediation
Family Conflict Resolution
Helping families address conflict before relationships, finances, or future family interactions are permanently damaged
Family conflict often begins with communication problems, misunderstandings, disagreements about responsibilities, or unresolved issues that grow worse over time. Left unaddressed, these conflicts can damage important relationships, create financial strain, divide families, and sometimes lead to unnecessary legal disputes.
Many families wait until a situation has reached a crisis before seeking help. Mediation provides a structured process for addressing conflict earlier, while there is still an opportunity to improve communication, clarify concerns, and work toward practical solutions.
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Texas mediator, and professional trained in dispute resolution and conflict management, I help individuals and families communicate more effectively, identify workable options, and work toward mutually acceptable agreements.
The goal is not to determine who is right or wrong. The goal is to help participants address conflict constructively and preserve important relationships whenever possible.
Common Family Conflict Issues
Post-Divorce Conflict and Co-Parenting Support
I do not provide divorce mediation, marital property settlement mediation, or mediation intended to facilitate the dissolution of a marriage.
However, I do help families address conflict that continues after a divorce has been finalized.
Post-divorce and co-parenting conflict can affect children, parents, extended family members, schedules, communication, and future family stability.
Common Post-Divorce and Co-Parenting Issues
Business and Workplace Mediation
Conflict in the workplace can reduce productivity, damage trust, increase stress, and interfere with sound decision-making. Mediation can help businesses, leaders, employees, partners, and organizations address disputes professionally and efficiently.
Common Business and Workplace Issues
Church and Ministry Mediation
Conflict within churches and ministries can be especially painful because relationships, beliefs, leadership responsibilities, and ministry goals are often deeply connected.
Mediation provides a structured and respectful process for addressing disagreements while preserving relationships whenever possible.
Common Church and Ministry Issues
One-on-One Conflict Resolution Training
In addition to mediation, I provide one-on-one conflict resolution training for individuals facing high-conflict situations.
Mediation is appropriate when multiple participants are working with a neutral mediator to resolve a specific dispute.
Conflict resolution training is different. It is individual skill-building for one person who wants to improve how they communicate, make decisions, manage stress, and respond to conflict.
Training May Be Helpful For
Mediation Fees
2-hour limited mediation: $300 per party
Half-day mediation, up to 4 hours: $500 per party
Full-day mediation, up to 8 hours: $1,000 per party
Hourly conflict consultation: $225 per hour
Overtime: $250 per hour, split equally by the parties unless otherwise agreed
Fees are due before mediation begins.
Cancellations or rescheduling requests made less than 7 days before the scheduled mediation may be subject to the full mediation fee.
Additional preparation, document review, or post-mediation work may be billed at $225 per hour when agreed in advance.
For matters requiring substantial document review, multiple parties, complex scheduling, travel, or extended preparation, a custom fee arrangement may be provided.
Important Information About Mediation
Mediation is not counseling, legal representation, or legal advice. The mediator does not represent either party and does not make decisions for the participants.
Participants are encouraged to consult with qualified attorneys regarding legal rights, legal questions, and legal documents whenever appropriate.
Mediation may occur with or without attorneys involved, depending on the circumstances and preferences of the participants.
In-Person and Virtual Mediation Available
Virtual mediation is available for appropriate matters. In-person mediation is available in Denison, Sherman, Grayson County, and surrounding North Texas communities. For matters outside Texas, availability may depend on the nature of the dispute, participant location, and whether legal counsel is involved.
For higher-value or multi-day matters, travel may be available by arrangement.
Sessions may be conducted:
Take the First Step
Conflict rarely improves when it is ignored.
If conflict is affecting your family, business, church, organization, workplace, or personal life, complete the mediation inquiry form or contact the office to request a brief scheduling conversation.
A productive resolution often begins with a single conversation.
Professional mediation for families, businesses, churches, organizations, and individuals
Conflict can damage relationships, disrupt organizations, create financial strain, and create unnecessary stress. Mediation provides a confidential, structured process for addressing disagreements, improving communication, and working toward practical resolution.
Anthony P. Blackburn, LCSW, LCDC, MBA, MA, is a Texas mediator, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, private practice owner, retired U.S. Air Force First Sergeant, and graduate of Southern Methodist University's dispute resolution program. He brings experience in counseling, mediation, conflict resolution, business, leadership, crisis response, and high-stress decision-making.
Services are provided through Blackburn Social Services, PLLC.
To ask whether mediation may be appropriate for your situation, call or text the office at 903-361-6083 to request a brief scheduling conversation.
How Mediation Works
Mediation is a structured process that helps people address disagreements through guided communication, problem-solving, and negotiation.
The mediator does not take sides, make decisions for the participants, provide counseling, or provide legal representation. Instead, the mediator helps participants communicate more effectively, clarify concerns, explore options, and work toward mutually acceptable solutions.
Many disputes can be resolved more effectively when people have an opportunity to be heard and work through issues in a structured environment.
Benefits of Mediation
- Reduce conflict and hostility
- Improve communication
- Save time compared to prolonged disputes
- Reduce unnecessary legal expenses
- Preserve important relationships when possible
- Encourage cooperation and problem-solving
- Create flexible, customized solutions
- Provide a confidential setting for discussion
- Help participants maintain greater control over outcomes
Family Conflict Resolution
Helping families address conflict before relationships, finances, or future family interactions are permanently damaged
Family conflict often begins with communication problems, misunderstandings, disagreements about responsibilities, or unresolved issues that grow worse over time. Left unaddressed, these conflicts can damage important relationships, create financial strain, divide families, and sometimes lead to unnecessary legal disputes.
Many families wait until a situation has reached a crisis before seeking help. Mediation provides a structured process for addressing conflict earlier, while there is still an opportunity to improve communication, clarify concerns, and work toward practical solutions.
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Texas mediator, and professional trained in dispute resolution and conflict management, I help individuals and families communicate more effectively, identify workable options, and work toward mutually acceptable agreements.
The goal is not to determine who is right or wrong. The goal is to help participants address conflict constructively and preserve important relationships whenever possible.
Common Family Conflict Issues
- Parent-adult child conflicts
- Adult sibling disputes
- Caregiving responsibilities for aging parents
- Inheritance-related disagreements
- Family communication problems
- Blended family challenges
- High-conflict family relationships
- Future family responsibilities
- Conflict involving major family decisions
- Disputes that may otherwise lead to legal action
Post-Divorce Conflict and Co-Parenting Support
I do not provide divorce mediation, marital property settlement mediation, or mediation intended to facilitate the dissolution of a marriage.
However, I do help families address conflict that continues after a divorce has been finalized.
Post-divorce and co-parenting conflict can affect children, parents, extended family members, schedules, communication, and future family stability.
Common Post-Divorce and Co-Parenting Issues
- Co-parenting communication
- Parenting schedules
- Decision-making responsibilities involving children
- Communication expectations between parents
- Conflict reduction strategies
- Blended family challenges
- Future family responsibilities
Business and Workplace Mediation
Conflict in the workplace can reduce productivity, damage trust, increase stress, and interfere with sound decision-making. Mediation can help businesses, leaders, employees, partners, and organizations address disputes professionally and efficiently.
Common Business and Workplace Issues
- Employee conflicts
- Management concerns
- Communication breakdowns
- Partnership disagreements
- Workplace tension
- Organizational conflict
- Family-business disagreements
- Difficult professional relationships
Church and Ministry Mediation
Conflict within churches and ministries can be especially painful because relationships, beliefs, leadership responsibilities, and ministry goals are often deeply connected.
Mediation provides a structured and respectful process for addressing disagreements while preserving relationships whenever possible.
Common Church and Ministry Issues
- Leadership disagreements
- Communication breakdowns
- Ministry team conflict
- Staff and volunteer disputes
- Congregational concerns
- Conflict involving ministry direction or decision-making
One-on-One Conflict Resolution Training
In addition to mediation, I provide one-on-one conflict resolution training for individuals facing high-conflict situations.
Mediation is appropriate when multiple participants are working with a neutral mediator to resolve a specific dispute.
Conflict resolution training is different. It is individual skill-building for one person who wants to improve how they communicate, make decisions, manage stress, and respond to conflict.
Training May Be Helpful For
- Parents dealing with ongoing conflict
- Individuals in high-stress family situations
- Business owners and managers
- Church leaders and ministry workers
- Professionals dealing with difficult conversations
- People who want practical skills for handling conflict more effectively
Mediation Fees
2-hour limited mediation: $300 per party
Half-day mediation, up to 4 hours: $500 per party
Full-day mediation, up to 8 hours: $1,000 per party
Hourly conflict consultation: $225 per hour
Overtime: $250 per hour, split equally by the parties unless otherwise agreed
Fees are due before mediation begins.
Cancellations or rescheduling requests made less than 7 days before the scheduled mediation may be subject to the full mediation fee.
Additional preparation, document review, or post-mediation work may be billed at $225 per hour when agreed in advance.
For matters requiring substantial document review, multiple parties, complex scheduling, travel, or extended preparation, a custom fee arrangement may be provided.
Important Information About Mediation
Mediation is not counseling, legal representation, or legal advice. The mediator does not represent either party and does not make decisions for the participants.
Participants are encouraged to consult with qualified attorneys regarding legal rights, legal questions, and legal documents whenever appropriate.
Mediation may occur with or without attorneys involved, depending on the circumstances and preferences of the participants.
In-Person and Virtual Mediation Available
Virtual mediation is available for appropriate matters. In-person mediation is available in Denison, Sherman, Grayson County, and surrounding North Texas communities. For matters outside Texas, availability may depend on the nature of the dispute, participant location, and whether legal counsel is involved.
For higher-value or multi-day matters, travel may be available by arrangement.
Sessions may be conducted:
- In person
- By video conference
Take the First Step
Conflict rarely improves when it is ignored.
If conflict is affecting your family, business, church, organization, workplace, or personal life, complete the mediation inquiry form or contact the office to request a brief scheduling conversation.
A productive resolution often begins with a single conversation.