Recent Talks
Monica has been busy giving talks to a number of global groups.
New books
Monica has a new book published on The Role of Culture due out in May 2025.
Dida has a new book published, Dialogues On the Relationship in Existential Supervision.
Conferences
Rome
Monica and Dida will be speaking on Existential Coaching at a conference in Rome in May 2025.
Ireland
Following giving a keynote speech to mediators on Psychologically Informed Mediation in Belfast in October 2024, Monica has been invited to speak to the 2025 conference which is planned to be in Dublin.
Monica was recently interviewed for the Kelli Confidential Podcast.
Episode 35: Interview with Monica Hanaway – The Role of Culture in Mediation
by Kelli Confidential & Monica Hanaway
“For me, mediation is about gaining another, deeper understanding of why the situation has occurred and a respect for the differences from each other. ” We must first respect the reason for the dispute – and their differences – before we can attempt to show empathy or bridge harmony. – Monica Hanaway.
On the show today we’re speaking with Monica Hanaway about the role of culture in mediation. In this episode, Monica shares with us some thought provoking stories as we explore the many types of culture – beyond a person’s heritage – and its significance in how effectively a mediator or negotiator approaches conflict.
It’s a must listen for any mediator or business leader looking to go beyond the surface-level agreement to secure lasting accord in their negotiations.
Monica Hanaway is an accredited mediator, author, senior lecturer, Existential leadership coach and trainer. When not seeing clients in her private practice, or enjoying time with her family in Oxfordshire, Monica is usually mediating, writing or speaking at international conflict management forums. And together with her business partner Diana Mitchell, M&D Associates have taught Advanced Mediation in Singapore, Romania, Latvia, South Africa, Malta and the Channel Islands.
Find the original podcast here https://www.kelliconfidential.com/podcast/episode/79da8297/episode-35-interview-with-monica-hanaway-the-role-of-culture-in-mediation
NEW COURSES FOR 2024
2024 sees the introduction of a number of new courses
The role of Culture in Mediation
February 2024 saw the introduction of a new advanced course to the M&D Training Portfolio. This course explores the cultural history of Mediation, the breadth of what we understand by ‘culture’ and explores the challenges for the mediator in working across cultures.
The first group attending the course brought a variety of cultural professional and personal experiences to the discussion which made the course rich and fascinating.
The discussions were so rich that Monica is currently writing a book on the subject to be published by Routledge in 2025 The role will run again 31st January-1st February 2025.
Do get in touch if you are interested in attending. Numbers will be kept small to encourage discussion.
Existential Coaching
Interest in this approach is growing for both personal coaching and business coaching and Monica has a global coaching practice. In Spring 2024 she ran a very successful six-day training programme (2 days a month) for coaches, and those interested in coaching, on bringing an existential approach to their coaching.
The course will be repeated 2025.
Existential Supervision in Action
Diana will be offering a day of existential supervision for therapists. See our TRAINING sector for details of dates and costs.
Conducting a Fair Workplace Investigation
There is increasing interest in mediators offering related services and M&D have been approached to offer HR investigations for some global companies. Marina will be offering a one-day training in this area. See our TRAINING sector for details of dates and costs.
Negotiation
There is increasing interest in mediators offering related services. Some mediators may be interested in offering negotiation as a separate service. Other mediators may wish to learn more because parties to mediation often bring lawyers who are there to negotiate on behalf of their clients and it is useful for mediators to be skilled to work with this. We are hoping that Kelli can offer offer a short course in the near future, so watch the website for news.
Belfast
Monica has been asked to speak on the Psychological Approach to Mediation at an international mediation conference in Belfast in October 2024.
Diana will be speaking about supervision at a conference in Biristonas in October 2025.
In-House Training
Monica Hanaway
We have just finished running an in-house accredited five day training programme for 12 HR specialists within a large organisation.
They were a delightful group to work with and in their feedback included the following comments –
‘…best training I have ever attended…’
‘…excellent… really helpful to have so many case studies and to have the opportunity to mediate, role play and observe…’
‘…valued the varied case studies, which felt real and threw up lots of issues…’
‘… I experienced the importance of bracketing my own opinions, and remembering how important values are…’
‘…I learnt the importance of being present with the person and not worrying what you are going to say next…’
‘…all the presentations were excellent and interesting covering all the underlying theories…’
‘…very interesting group discussion about psychological and legal approaches…’
‘…very comprehensive and well-structured…’
‘…the pace of the training and the learning was aimed well and appropriate for the group…’
‘…really interesting and challenging course…’
‘…really enjoyed the co-delivery and input by the three tutors, who drew from their different experiences and perspectives…’
‘…well paced and good mix of practice, feedback and slide presentations…’
‘…I initially felt daunted by the practical sessions and role-play. I enjoyed the varied case studies and the role-plays more than I thought I would…’
‘…Great support from M&D and their colleagues…’
‘…interesting and insightful presentations and the practical elements were hugely helpful…’
‘ …I found the initial introduction exercise very helpful…’
‘… learning to tune out and bracket was helpful…’
‘…I now understand the importance of active listening in building trust and rapport, and the importance of identifying and drawing out themes…’
‘…I enjoyed the course. The fact that it was so exhausting yet interesting and supportive was a very positive point for me…’
‘…the role play process was a great way to learn, to face by fears and learn from other participants…’
‘…I learnt the importance of not being afraid of silences, to be brave, try things out and trust the process…’
‘…really good case studies that made the mediation practices helpful and relevant…’
‘…Having the plenary sessions in between made it more manageable to understand…’
‘…really helpful feedback from Monica and Dida and their colleagues…’
‘…Some of the techniques will be helpful in day to day work as well as mediation…’
‘…very interesting, well delivered, great to hear some real life examples…’
Please contact us if you would like us to design a bespoke accredited training for your organisation.
Psychologically Informed Mediation
Monica Hanaway
A presentation which Monica made to a group of lawyers and business people in Singapore who wanted an introduction to the use of psychology in mediation. Following this, M&D Associates has been commissioned to run a series of courses in Singapore in February-March 2024.
ARTICLE
“Conflict, Emotions, Uncertainty, and Existential Phenomenological Mediation”
Diana Mitchell
Life and relationships are full of conflict and uncertainty. Without conflict there would be no need for mediation, and yet mediation tends to be the last resort as a way of resolving conflict. My way of mediating is to pay close attention to expressed emotions because conflicts like arguments are emotional. In other words, emotions express what really matters which is not always clear at the beginning of a mediation. Accepting uncertainty without trying to create certainty is a challenge worth conquering for mediators. Click here to download the full article.
Psychologically Informed Mediation Accredited Course
July 2021 saw us move the accredited Psychologically Informed Mediation Course to Jesus College, Oxford University for the first time. The course runs over five days and equips successful participants to work as a mediator in a variety of settings.
The staff of the college made us very welcome in this beautiful venue and we enjoyed a taste of student life.
We had a wonderful group of students who worked hard and played hard!
Civil Mediation Council who accredit the course, requested at a late stage, that all the mediations were videoed, and so, at short notice, we called in the M&D lead technician, Henry Alderslade, who in addition to creating and managing our website proved to be a brilliant videographer.
Over the five days participants learnt the philosophy behind the approach and had the opportunity to practice their skills in a series of mock mediations.
Karen Randolph, a community mediator, and widow of Paul Randolph who was well known for his pioneering work in the field of mediation, joined us as the external assessor on the final day.
If you are interested in attending the next course do email us on either
This course runs annually with the next course is in July 2025.
PLEASE NOTE WE ALREADY HAVE INTEREST FROM PEOPLE WANTING TO BOOK for July 2025, although exact dates for the 2025 course will be confirmed later. Please get in touch to book for 2024 or 2025 courses. Early booking is recommended.