Скачать или смотреть Transforming Resolution with Trauma-Informed Mediation: Julie Somerville

Transforming Resolution with Trauma-Informed Mediation: Julie Somerville

In this episode of The Resolution Room, I sit down with Julie Somerville, a former solicitor turned mediator who has built a national reputation for her trauma-informed approach. Julie has been recognised in the New South Wales market, listed in Doyles for the last five years, and named Mediator of the Year (Australian ADR Awards) in 2022. We talk about why trauma-informed practice matters in civil claims, and what it looks like when a mediator is deliberately designing the process to support better decision-making.

Julie shares what drew her into mediation, including her experience in defendant practice and the shift she saw in the post Royal Commission environment. We discuss the kinds of matters she mediates now, including sensitive and highly emotional claims such as historical abuse, birth trauma, nervous shock, catastrophic events, and compensation to relatives claims. We also explore why traditional, lawyer-driven approaches can fall short in these settings, and what lawyers on both sides can do to better support their clients through the process.

We then unpack the practical tools and mindset behind trauma-informed mediation. Julie explains trauma at a high level, how it can show up in the room, and why it can affect a person’s ability to process advice and make decisions. She also shares examples of how small, thoughtful process choices can change the tone and safety of a mediation, and we finish with a candid discussion about vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and the self-care systems Julie uses to stay present in demanding work.

00:00 Welcome to The Resolution Room
01:30 Julie's Journey from Law to Mediation
03:25 Post-Royal Commission Work
04:56 A Deliberate Career Choice
05:46 Julie's Current Practice
06:55 Mediation Training and Accreditation
10:19 What is Trauma?
12:54 Understanding Trauma-Informed Approach
17:31 Cultural Change in the Legal Profession
19:54 Training Resources for Lawyers
22:26 Novel Examples: The Nap
24:27 Attention to Detail: The Black and White Photos
26:48 Vicarious Trauma and Self-Care
28:21 Julie’s Green, Amber, Red Wellness Framework
31:34 Closing Thoughts

GUEST LINKS:
R3 Resolution's Website: https://r3resolutions.com.au/
Julie's LinkedIn:   / juliesomerville  
Law Society of Scotland Trauma-Informed Justice Modules: https://www.lawscot.org.uk/members/cp...
Legal Society of New South Wales Trauma-Informed Legal Assistance: https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/for-l...
What is Trauma-Informed Mediation: https://r3resolutions.com.au/what-is-...

WORK WITH ME:
Book a Mediation or a 15-minute Discovery call with Damien: https://www.evolveresolve.com/booking
Website: https://www.evolveresolve.com/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/damien-van-brunschot
YouTube: @evolveresolve
Email: damien@evolveresolve.com

#mediation #coaching #legal #lawyer #evolveresolve