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This is a panel discussion designed to explore the commonalities and differences shared by therapists and mediators as they work to help clients recognize, explore, understand, and resolve conflict within themselves and their families. We will also examine how therapists and mediators can work together to better their clients' outcomes. About the Panelists: 
Marvin Whistler Marvin Whistler Mediation Mediator for Divorce, Family, Parenting Panels: Ventura Superior Court • Southern California Family Mediation (Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court) • ACMAS, Los Angeles County Bar Association Board of Directors: Southern California Mediation Association (SCMA) Member: Academy of Professional Family Mediators (APFM) California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, L.A. Chapter (LA-CAMFT) • Los Angeles County Psychological Association (LACPA) Marvin guides couples through the unpredictable waters of divorce, separation, and parenting. He helps them resolve their differences in dividing property and debt, planning for the care and parenting of their children, planning for the parenting of their children, deciding on support, their future relationship, and other issues that will be important for their future relationship. His practice also covers various types of disputes including but not limited to family, real estate, landlord-tenant, and community. Website: MarvinWhistlerMediation (424) 249-7686 
Victoria Goldfarb, MFT, Esq.
I became a member of the California Bar in 1987 and began my career as an associate at a business litigation firm. This work made me very unhappy because I am by nature, a peacemaker, not a fighter. I first learned about mediation after I resigned from my firm to serve as Associate Director of California Lawyers for the Arts, a non-profit arts service organization, which had a mediation program for the resolution of artists' disputes. Once I learned about mediation, and that the legal community was beginning to see it as a viable alternative to litigation, I satisfied all my continuing legal education requirements by receiving certificates in mediation from five Southern California programs. An added bonus, I was now able to combine my law degree and my bachelor's degree in psychology to help people solve their legal problems in a forum where their emotions could also be addressed. In 2009, I matriculated into a Master's Degree program in Marriage and Family Therapy, with my ultimate goal being to provide divorce mediation services that are attuned not only to the "business" aspects of divorce, but also to the "emotional" aspects of divorce, and its impact on the newly configured family. Simultaneously, I began volunteering at the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law, in order to learn Family Law. As the childhood survivor of a bitterly contested custody dispute, I understand the importance of families having an alternative to litigation to resolve their divorce related disputes. No such alternatives existed in the 1970s and my family was the poorer for it. In December, 2011, I received my Master's of Science Degree inMarriage and Family Therapy, which equipped me to understand couple's dynamics and family systems, as well as to assess,diagnose and treat mental disorders. In September, 2013, I completed 3,000 hours of clinical training at Airport Marina Counseling Service, a community mental health clinic. My clinical training included providing psychotherapy to adults, children, couples (we were trained in the Imago method), families and groups. Being the parent of two grown children also helped me when I taught parenting classes using the Systematic Training for Effective Parenting curriculum. In November, 2014, I became a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Continuing my commitment to life-long learning, I have completed a Grief specialization training at Our House Grief Center. I have also completed the Level 3 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. I currently divide my time between my divorce mediation practice and my psychotherapy practice. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, I spent two days per week at Fig Tree Therapy Center, a group psychotherapy practice in downtown Los Angeles, where I treated individuals and couples. I spent the other three days per week in my west Los Angeles office, where I treated individuals and couples and provide mediation and legal services to divorcing clients. I now see all of my clients online.
Michele Hahn, JD, MFT Michele Hahn, JD, MFT is a private practice licensed marriage and family therapist working with couples in Santa Monica. She is trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples and individuals. After graduating UCLA with her bachelor’s in psychology, Michele received her Juris Doctorate in law and worked for an international legal publishing company before becoming a therapist. She combined her law degree and MFT to become a team instructor at Conflict Resolution Training teaching mediation to therapists. She is active with NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) and CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists). 
Kathy Memel, LMFT, Ph.D Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist since 1984 Individuals, Couples, and Relationship Psychotherapy & CounselingSeparation, Divorce & Post Divorce Psychotherapy & CounselingChild Custody & Parenting Plan Mediator; Co Parent Educator. KATHY MEMEL, LMFT, Ph.D: As an experienced, caring, and perceptive Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Kathy listens carefully to help clients navigate all stages of their Separation and Divorce, turning a challenging and painful experience into an opportunity for growth and renewed happiness. Through education and fair negotiation, she helps couples create positive and workable Parenting Plans for parents and their children, while at the same time working with the intense emotions that can arise in sharing children. She teaches clients specific communication tools and coping strategies to help clients make informed decisions, rather than emotionally driven decisions. Kathy continues to help divorcing couples move from grief and loss toward a better life, filled with new opportunities, knowledge, and gain peace of mind. She is very dedicated to helping couples and families through this transition and maintains her private practice of 35+ years in Beverly Hills. (310) 286-9201 [email protected] www.drkathymemel.com 
Judith M. Weigle Family Law Mediator and Legal Document Preparer, Podcast Host, Author, Toastmaster Judith fulfilled her first life dream by working in the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus. With this blended family of performers from countries near and far, Judith got her first taste for amicable living. She learned how different cultures, different parenting styles, and different educational and economic backgrounds could respect each other and work towards a common goal: A show that made millions of other families happy! She now brings her Big Top experiences to your family with her mediation and legal document filing services with her company Divorce Resource, Inc., and through her podcast, THE Amicable Divorce Expert.
“Your divorce does not have to feel like a 3-Ring Circus, nor do you have to feel like you’re putting your head in the lion’s mouth when negotiating a settlement with your spouse.” SCMA Sustaining Members: FREE SCMA Members: $20 Non-Members: $35
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