Daniella’s Story
Daniella, her dad and her step-mum were referred to mediation by the Hub after a long period of strain. Daniella had moved out of the family home and was waiting for a hostel placement. Contact had broken down, and previous engagement with hyh services had been difficult. Everyone arrived feeling hurt, tired and unsure, but with shared hope that things could change. The sessions created space for honesty. Daniella spoke openly about her past behaviour and struggles with anger. Her step-mum shared her pain after feeling blamed in arguments. Daniella expressed a wish for more time with her dad and to rebuild her relationship with her step-mum.
Taking Small Steps Together
As the sessions continued, the family began to try new ways of talking and listening to one another. They agreed clear and realistic guidelines around visits, including respect and curfews. Daniella also shared her need for more independence as she approached adulthood. These conversations were not always easy, and strong feelings came up about how boundaries had changed since her dad’s new relationship. Rather than rushing forward, they chose to move at a pace that felt safe, focusing on small steps. Over time, trust slowly began to grow. Daniella and her dad spent a day out together, which meant a great deal to her. Using our ‘emotional needs’ tool, they recognised a shared wish to feel understood, accepted and respected. Daniella spoke honestly about how hard it had been living away from home. Daniella took responsibility for past hurt, and they agreed to start a family group chat to stay connected.
Building Trust and Looking Ahead
In later sessions, we used the ‘Building Trust Tool’. Dad wanted Daniella to be patient and manage her temper if he didn’t respond quickly, while Daniella needed to hear apologies, forgiveness and an understanding of each other’s perspectives. Step-mum shared her desire to rebuild her relationship with Daniella. They agreed to continue with in-person sessions, plan a family dinner, and have Daniella visit more casually.
Later sessions continued to focus on trust and planning for the future. Daniella expressed a wish to see her siblings more often, and dad and step-mum agreed to take things slowly. While disagreements arose, around curfews and tidiness, they were able to listen, understand each other’s viewpoints, and repair misunderstandings more quickly.
Daniella and her step-mum also spent time alone to talk about expectations, fears, and hopes. Daniella apologised for past stress, and both acknowledged the effort and self-reflection involved. They agreed on how to communicate directly rather than through dad and planned more one-to-one activities.
In the final sessions, the family charted their progress using a “ladder to change.” They maintained and built on their goals of honesty, respecting boundaries, and rebuilding trust. Daniella reflected on her past behaviour, and together they envisioned a hopeful future, including a family holiday, family Christmas and her gradual return home.