This article explores narrative (storytelling) as an alternative discourse for the practice of mediation. Through the case analysis of a mediation session we show that neutrality, as it is often understood, leads to problems for mediators in constructing agreements. We suggest that by focusing on the storytelling process, mediators will have a new set of resources to enhance the actual interactions that take place in the mediation setting. Unlike most mediation research, this article is based on the empirical examination of actual practices.

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Communication and mediation are connected in both theory and practice. Yet, while significant advances have been made in the realm of communication theory and conflict resolution, mediation still largely employs an outdated perspective of communication. This article presents a process perspective of communication that holds much promise for mediators. Four concepts—coordination, context, political negotiation, and emergence of meaning—are explored as they pertain to the practice of mediation. Each concept is applied to a brief case example to illustrate the resources generated from the adoption of the process perspective.