Resolve Conflicts. Preserve Partnerships. Move Forward.
With a background in therapy, coaching, and negotiation, I became a mediator to help people move through life’s most difficult transitions with clarity, confidence, and control. Whether you're facing a family dispute, divorce, or a civil or workplace conflict, I offer a calm, structured approach to finding equitable resolutions—without the emotional and financial toll of litigation.
I am a mediator in Florida and New York, and I bring decades of experience to every session. I believe mediation works best when it honors both logic and emotion—when it helps people move forward without regret.
“No one gets everything they want, but through mediation, everyone has the opportunity to get something they need.”
Credentials Snapshot
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Florida Supreme Court Certified Family & County Mediator
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New York State Mediator
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Certified Diversity Coach – International Coaching Federation
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M.S. in Counseling | B.S. in Psychology | Women’s Studies Certification
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Member: Florida Association of Professional Mediators, NYS Dispute Resolution Association, Academy of Professional Family Mediators, NYS Council on Divorce Mediation
Understanding mediation can feel overwhelming, but having the right guidance makes all the difference. Watch Carole McKelvey as she breaks down key topics to help you navigate difficult conversations with confidence.
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Parental Alienation: What You Need to Know
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Parental alienation can deeply impact families. Learn how mediation can help rebuild trust and communication for the best possible outcome.
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Time, Money and Outcome
Regardless of the reason for mediation, three things are true. If you go into mediation with the intent to negotiate and achieve a resolution, all parties can be successful. Why? They will be able to control the outcome, save money and minimize time spent on the issue. If it's necessary to litigate, none of that is true. The outcome is controlled by a judge and, possibly, a jury. A great deal of money must be spent on attorneys to represent each party. The time spent on the case is determined by the court's docket, the attorney's schedule and other matters which are out of the party's control. Mediation makes sense.
Thoughtful Discussion
A mediator is trained to ask you and the other party the questions that can help sort through the conflict and get to a resolution where everyone will feel a sense of satisfaction. I tell my clients “No one gets everything they want, but everyone gets something they want through mediation, if they come into mediation with the intent to negotiate." If all parties come into the process with a genuine desire to come to an agreement and the intent to compromise, the outcome will be a positive one.
Preserve Relationships
The most important thing about conflict resolution is that everyone can find a way to go on with their lives. No one should be so broken or left so depleted because they believe they have had to concede everything, and, as a result, feel they have nothing left. A good mediator helps all parties work toward an agreement that is equitable and allows them to look toward a future where life can be rebuilt. I work to be that mediator.
My Approach
I provide structured, solution-focused mediation services for individuals and families in New York and Florida. My approach fosters clarity, resolution, and equity, ensuring disputes are handled professionally and efficiently.
Structured
Solution-Focused
Clarity
Resolution
Equitable
I am dedicated to helping parties navigate through challenging situations with compassion and expertise. I believe in empowering individuals and families to find constructive solutions and move forward positively.
​Parties Say
We had just grown apart. We weren't angry but mostly sad. Carole seemed to understand that we needed someone to take the time to let us talk through how we were going split things up. She was very patient. Fortunately, we don't have kids, but we were able to work out everything else taking the time we needed.
Janet M.
I Meet Remotely With Parties From Florida and New York
I provide expert mediation services tailored to individuals and families in both New York and Florida. With a deep understanding of the unique mediation landscapes in both states, I offer a structured, solution-driven approach to help clients navigate disputes with clarity and confidence.
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Whether you’re in New York seeking resolution in a fast-paced, complex environment or in Florida, where mediation offers an efficient alternative to litigation, my services are designed to fit your needs. With experience across both regions, I ensure that my clients receive personalized, professional, and compassionate mediation services no matter where they are.
Community Disputes, Citizen Conflicts, Couple and Family Disagreements
Are often settled in mediation to the satisfaction of the parties. Mediations are informal, confidential meetings that offer individuals or small groups an opportunity to resolve disputes and avoid going to court. Mediations are facilitated by a professional who listens to both parties and helps to facilitate an agreement. By reaching a settlement, parties avoid court costs, lengthy delays and the uncertainty of a trial outcome.
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Litigated Divorce
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Can easily cost $10,000.00-$30,000.00 and take 9-12 months to finalize
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Emotionally and financially devastating for all parties
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Parties have no control over the outcome
Family Disagreements
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Legal fees often exceed the expectations of everyone involved
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Relationships are irreparably damaged
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The goal is never to rebuild, but to win
Citizen Conflicts
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People are shocked at the cost of attorney’s fees
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Neighbors lose friendships that cannot be regained because they lost control
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Others are speaking for those involved
Community Disputes
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On top of having to cover the cost of the issue, paying for legal fees will make things worse
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A valued vendor relationship can be lost in the process
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A simple misunderstanding can be untangled through a neutral facilitator with mediation
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Carole brings the expertise of many years as a therapist to the table as well as her knowledge as a mediator and her skill at negotiation to help the parties develop the best possible agreement. She understands the requirement for confidentiality, gets to the facts and asks the questions everyone needs to answer to consider—or reconsider—their position in the situation.
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The most important thing is that everyone can find a way to go on with their lives. No one should be so broken or left so scarred because of a bad agreement that they feel they have nothing left. A good mediator helps the parties work toward an agreement that is equitable and allows them to look toward a future where a life can be rebuilt. Carole is that mediator.
