We need to deliver a full summary of what has been said and has happened in the mediation sessions to this point. While this helps the mediation participants to identify what has happened, what has been achieved and what remains to be discussed and resolved, its main purpose is to help us engage our prefrontal cortex and begin to think more clearly.

The surprise for me has been that when my brain becomes clearer, I can see the options for movement much more clearly. This was something I observed and learned while training people to become mediators. When they said to me that they were stuck I suggested they do a summary of what mediation participants had said, achieved and needed up to that point and then they were able to draw from their mediation learning to date and were clearer about their options for continuing the roleplay process.