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Why I do this work? Divorce is an emotional as well as a legal process, involving both parenting and financial decisions. I specialize in helping families make parenting decisions around custody, parenting time and parent communication, through both coaching and mediation. My approach is warm, non-judgmental, and structured. I support parents in staying focused on the needs of their children.

My practice: I work with co-parents who:

• Want to create clear parenting time and co-parent communication agreements;

• Want help talking to their children about divorce and/or creating a family narrative;

• Have children from toddlers to teenagers, including those with mental health issues or disabilities;

• Have challenging or complex schedules or living arrangements;

• Are in the initial phase of a separation or ready to finalize decisions;

• Simply want to minimize conflict in the decision making process.

Background: I hold a masters degree in social work and have spent over 25 years serving families as a program director, clinical supervisor, trainer, and mediator. I taught at the university level and produced an award winning documentary about children and nature. I am a certified court connected mediator in both small claims and family court and a member of the Oregon Mediation Association, Oregon Association of Collaborative Professionals and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.

After Hours: When I’m not mediating and coaching families, I enjoy hiking, social justice advocacy, solving pangrams, and exploring the Northwest with my family, including our two mostly grown kids.

It is important that you choose the right mediator for yourself and your changing family. I offer free consultations to help you make that decision. I can connect you with financial experts, legal mediators, collaborative attorneys and other professionals to best meet your needs throughout the process. I also mediate temporary guardianship and adoption agreements, as well as other community and family agreements. Feel free to reach out if you have questions.

Meg Merrill, MSW
Mediator and Co-Parent Coach