Susan received her Ph.D. in psychology from Columbia University. As a mediator, she specializes in Marital Mediation and how group dynamics, personality, and gender differences affect family communication and conflict resolution. Formerly an Instructor at the International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution, and Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychology and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, she also works in a private practice specializing in marital mediation. Susan is co-editor of the Journal of Social Issues volume “Constructive Conflict Management: An Answer to Critical Social Problems?”, and co-author of “Paths to Success.” Another publication, “Personality and Conflict” appeared in the 3rd edition of The Handbook of Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice. One of her published articles, “Marital Mediation: A Psychological Perspective” appeared in the Fall, 2013 issue of Conflict Resolution Quarterly. She was a member of the Board of the Connecticut Council for Divorce Mediation and Collaborative Practice for five years, and has been teaching,training, and conducting research in conflict resolution, mediation, negotiation,and communication for over seventeen years.
Susan has been a family mediator for seventeen years, conducting hundreds of mediations. She currently specializes in Marital Mediation, using mediation techniques to keep couples together, but worked as a divorce mediator for six years, and has also helped couples with separation and parenting issues.
With my background as a social psychologist focusing on conflict resolution, communication, personality, and gender differences, I specialize in Marital Mediation. Using mediation techniques to help improve communication and reduce friction in a relationship, I focus on creating concrete solutions to conflicts. The goal is to create a mediated agreement of behavioral changes the couple agrees to make going forward. Much of the work involves teaching communication skills and listening, educating couples about conflict styles, and clarifying relationship goals.
Ph.D. in Social Psychology, Columbia University, NY,NY, January 1986
M.Phil., Columbia University, NY, NY, May 1983
M.A., Teachers College, Columbia University, NY, NY, May 1981
B.S., St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY, May 1978
