What is Counseling-Based Divorce Mediation?

Divorce doesn’t have to be a battle. 

At The Caruso Wellness Center, our Counseling-Based Divorce Mediation service is designed to help couples navigate this significant life transition with respect, understanding, empathy, and emotional support. Dr. Robert Caruso is a seasoned divorce mediator, licensed marriage and family counselor in Illinois, and an American Bar Association (ABA) certified paralegal.

Dr. Robert Caruso brings both clinical counseling and paralegal skills for mediation to help you negotiate a path forward that honors your shared history and individual healing, while nurturing the process of a cooperative marriage dissolution.

Counseling-Based Divorce Mediation is a collaborative process where both partners work with a neutral third party—the mediator—to reach mutually agreeable decisions about separation, finances, parenting, and future goals.

Unlike traditional litigation, mediation focuses on communication, cooperation, fairness, and control over your own outcomes rather than leaving decisions to the courts. Mediation is not legally binding on clients, and Dr. Robert Caruso does not provide legal advice. Mediation is a process that helps you negotiate and agree on matters related to your divorce settlement agreement, drafted by your attorney. 

When the partner's successfully complete the mediation process, the mediator will provide the couple with a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The partners are advised to consult with an attorney to review the agreed-upon terms in the (MOU). The MOU outlines the fair and equitable terms of divorce, including agreements between the partners regarding property division, child custody, and support obligations.

The MOU is then submitted to the client’s respective attorney to draft a divorce settlement agreement and file it with the court for approval.

The benefits of Counseling-Based Divorce Mediation are:

• Both partners control the outcome of agreed-upon terms that are fair and equitable, not the courts.
• Both partners pay significantly less money in mediation than in the traditional divorce process (click here to read Blog on Counseling-Based Divorce Mediation).
• You are in a relaxed environment with an ABA-certified paralegal mediator who is also a licensed marriage and family counselor in Illinois.

Dr. Robert helps couples:

• Communicate more effectively during a difficult emotional period
• Identify shared priorities and parenting goals
• Reduce tension and conflict through guided dialogue
• Craft fair and realistic agreements that support both parties’ overall well-being

This process isn’t just about dividing assets—it’s about preserving dignity, reducing emotional harm, and fostering a new beginning built on understanding rather than resentment.

Why Choose Counseling-Based Divorce Mediation?

Traditional divorce processes can intensify conflict. Dr. Robert’s background as an ABA-certified paralegal and therapist enables him to integrate emotional awareness, objective fairness, and conflict-resolution skills into each session. Mediation at The Caruso Wellness Center isn’t just about legal outcomes; it’s about healing and closure.

At every session, you’ll experience:

• A safe and confidential setting
• Emotionally attuned guidance
• A structured process that reduces stress and cost
• Emotional space and support that honors your unique values and family story

What does counseling-based divorce mediation offer?

• Therapy-informed, productive short-term mediation
• Lower cost than litigation
• Faster and more cooperative
• Emotional guidance throughout the process
• Ideal for parenting agreements, financial decisions, and peaceful separation
• Specialized support for military families (PCS stress, deployments, benefits, etc.)

Counseling-Based Divorce Mediation is for:

• Married couples seeking an amicable, respectful separation
• Parents prioritizing their children’s emotional well-being
• Individuals who wish to avoid lengthy and expensive court proceedings
• Those who want to maintain control over their decisions and future

Counseling-Based Mediation is more Affordable than the Cost of Traditional Divorce

The average cost of divorce depends on the specifics of the situation. A contested divorce in Illinois typically costs $10,000 to $15,000 per person. If your divorce involves disputes over finances, child custody, alimony, or child support, it is likely to cost much more, as it may lead to litigation.

Counseling-Based Divorce Mediation Set Fees

Mediation Consultation – $150 (60 minutes).

***Consultation fee of $150 is waived if partners move forward with mediation.***

7 Session Counseling-Based Divorce Mediation - $3,000 (90-minute sessions)

• Each partner pays half of the mediation fee up-front (i.e., $1,500).
• All you pay is the flat-rate fee. There are no additional costs for mediation.
• You will take your MOU to an attorney who can draft the divorce settlement with all your agreed-upon terms and conditions outlined in the MOU. You will incur an attorney fee between $1,500 to $2,000 plus possible court filing fees.
• Total estimated cost for a mediated divorce with a court-ordered settlement is around $5,000 or less ($2,500 for each partner).
• If mediation ends prematurely, partners will be reimbursed in full for all unused sessions.

🗺️ 7-Session Counseling-Based Divorce Mediation Map

The sessions are structured to keep partners on focused and organized. 

The mediator will work with the partners to complete all areas of agreement in 7 sessions (one initial joint, two individual, four subsequent joint sessions).

What does each session look like? Here is map of each of the 7 sessions:

Session 1: The Foundation of Communication (90 Minutes - Joint)

• This session lays the ground rules for cooperative and respectful communication, identifying needs and interests, and provides an overview of the mediation process.

Session 2: Individual Meeting with Partner A (60 Minutes - Individual)

• Partner A provides all personal and financial disclosure documents for the mediator to review.
• Mediator ensures the paperwork is complete and answers questions about the disclosure process.

Session 3: Individual Meeting with Partner B (60 Minutes - Individual)

• Partner B provides all personal and financial disclosure documents for the mediator to review.
• Mediator ensures the paperwork is complete and answers questions about the disclosure process.

Session 4: Parenting Plan and Responsibilities (90 Minutes - Joint)

Session 5: Child Support/Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)/Property Division (90 Minutes - Joint)

Session 6: Finalizing Support and Loose Ends (90 Minutes - Joint)

Session 7: Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Closure (90 Minutes - Joint)

• Each partner signs the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Please note that this is not a legally binding document, and an attorney will need to draft a Divorce Settlement using the information from the MOU.
• MOU is given to each partner in advance of the last session. This provides each partner with the option to have their personal attorney review the document, if they so choose.
• Once both partners sign the MOU, they can take it to an attorney who will use the MOU to draft a Marriage Settlement Agreement and file it with the court for a judge’s official approval.

***Our fee is transparent! Every couple’s situation is different, and you may not need all seven sessions, which means you will pay less than the set fee.*** 

Bottom line, you will never pay more than the set fee with our mediation service. If mediation dissolves before the final resolution, both partners will receive a full refund for all unused sessions.

Begin the Process

Every ending can also be a new beginning. If you’re ready to move forward with honesty, compassion, and peace, I’m here to help.

📞(224) 875-0393 - Schedule your mediation consultation today and take the first step toward a more peaceful resolution.