Family Dispute Resolution, Child Consultation, Post-Separation Therapy
Our practitioners understand the complexities of family separation. We aim to assist you with compassion & knowledge.
About Us
Renée Fedele
Principal
Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner & Supervisor
Child Consultant
Child & Family Therapist
Family Group Conference Facilitator
Renée is the Founder of Choice Mediations and its Principal Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Family Group Conference Facilitator and Child Consultant.
After practicing in child protection and family law, Renée wanted to provide her clients with more power over decisions that were reached for them and their children. She therefore combined her psychology and legal training to enter the mediation sector and became accredited as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner with the Attorney General’s Department. Renée has been working as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and Family Group Conference Facilitator for over 15 years. Renée’s particular interest in, and desire to advocate for, the voice of children, led to Renée further training as a Child Consultant, a role she has been practicing in for over 10 years.
As a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner Supervisor, Renée has supported many graduates to obtain their registration with the Attorney General’s Department and pursue the rewarding work of assisting families to reach agreements.
Renée has been appointed to various Family Dispute Resolution Panels, most notably Legal Aid's FDR Panel. Renée is also a member of various professional bodies.
Renée has worked in both NGO and private settings throughout her career. Renée has vast experience working with a diverse range of families in the post separation and child protection contexts, from high conflict to culturally diverse families.
Renee is passionate about providing families and children with a safe and non-judgmental context in which all parties feel empowered to have a voice and remain child and solution focused. Renée’s unique and complimentary skills set provides her clients with an invaluable and comprehensive service. Her passion for assisting families and children is paramount in both Renée’s approach to her clients and her leadership of Choice Mediations’ team.
Renée feels genuinely privileged to be invited into your family to assist.
Andreas Thanos
Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner & Supervisor
Counsellor
Andreas entered Family Dispute Resolution as a private practitioner in 2021 after 12 years in the NGO sector where he was a Senior Supervisor Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner at two Government funded Family Relationship Centres.
Andreas has trained and clinically supervised numerous Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners and provided Family Dispute Resolution services to a multitude of clients in a variety of formats for both parenting and property matters.
Andreas is an engaging, highly skilled, and effective practitioner. He assesses client needs and determines a mediation format that has the best chance of achieving outcomes for separated families, while remaining flexible and responsive to change. Andreas is focused on understanding each client and their unique circumstances. He appreciates diversity and recognises that every individual has their own story. Andreas encourages clients to think outside the box, while respecting their autonomy in making decisions that are appropriate for their family’s circumstances.
Andreas has maintained registration as an FDRP with the Attorney General’s Department since 2009 and achieved registration as a legal practitioner with Supreme Court of NSW in 2002. Andreas is a member of recognised professional bodies including the Resolution Institute.
Andreas also has experience working for the Australian Public Service and finance sector.
Andreas is also fluent in Greek.
Flavia Borgiani
Child Consultant
Counsellor
Flavia commenced her career as an out of home caseworker with Family and Community Services (FACS, formerly known as DoCS). It was when she accepted a counselling position at a Community Care Centre that she found her true passion for assisting clients in a counselling setting.
After a decade of practicing in both private and NGO settings, Flavia specialises in working with children and adolescents post separation, as well as individuals dealing with relationship issues and breakdown. Her specialist training in this field renders Flavia invaluable in the child consultation process.
Flavia has also taken special interest in working with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, and other general concerns.
Flavia’s welcoming nature puts her clients at ease from the outset. Her passion for her work and drive to assist clients in achieving their goals makes Flavia an instrumental asset to our team and her clients.
Fernanda Tinelli
Child Consultant
Counsellor
Fernanda is an open minded, kind, compassionate and practical counsellor who enjoys working with an array of adults and families. Fernanda has a background in psychology, law and advocacy.
Her counselling career has led her to specialise in relationship counselling. Fernanda has extensive experience working as a relationship and couples counsellor and family therapist in both private practice and not for profit organizations. relationships.
Fernanda is passionate about working with children following their parents' separation and helping them navigate the changes in their families and consequently in their lives.
Clients can expect professionalism and dedication from Feranda who is committed to supporting her clients at whatever stage they find themselves. Fernanda utilises varying approaches in individual, couples and family counselling and will tailor her approach to suit the needs of her clients. Fernanda is results driven a big believer in helping clients to incorporate techniques and strategies into their lives so they can experience positive, long term and sustainable changes.
Fernanda is honoured to share her knowledge and provide clients with the tools they need to grow and connect with themselves and others.
Fernanda is also fluent in Portuguese and German.
Our Services
Parenting/Children's Arrangements
Parenting/Children's Arrangements
Parenting/Children's Arrangements
Our practitioners are experienced in providing FDR in relation to children's issues. In line with Section 60CC of The Family Law Act, the best interests of any child/ren involved will always remain the paramount consideration in all negotiations. We can assist you to reach agreements on issues such as:
- Where your child/ren will live
- When
Our practitioners are experienced in providing FDR in relation to children's issues. In line with Section 60CC of The Family Law Act, the best interests of any child/ren involved will always remain the paramount consideration in all negotiations. We can assist you to reach agreements on issues such as:
- Where your child/ren will live
- When your child/ren will spend time with each parent
- Who will be involved in making parental decisions for your child/ren
- What happens on special occasions and during the holidays
- What activities your child/ren will be involved in
- When your child/ren will see significant other people in their lives
- Schooling decisions
- Child related costs arrangements
- Any other issues your family may have
Parenting Plans
Parenting/Children's Arrangements
Parenting/Children's Arrangements
A Parenting Plan is a written and voluntary agreement entered into by separated parents, which details all agreements pertaining to their child/ren. A Parenting Plan must be signed and dated by both parents to meet the requirements of a Parenting Plan. Your particular Parenting Plan will be unique to your family's specific circumstances a
A Parenting Plan is a written and voluntary agreement entered into by separated parents, which details all agreements pertaining to their child/ren. A Parenting Plan must be signed and dated by both parents to meet the requirements of a Parenting Plan. Your particular Parenting Plan will be unique to your family's specific circumstances and can deal with any aspect of the care, welfare and development of your child/ren. Note that Parenting Plans are not legally enforceable. However, in the event that parents go to court and have a Parenting Plan in place, the court is required to consider the terms of the most recent Parenting Plan, as well as the extent to which both parents adhered to the Plan, if they deem it in the bests interests of the child/ren to do so. Our practitioners are experienced in developing Parenting Plans for you once agreements have been reached.
Financial Arrangements
Parenting/Children's Arrangements
Financial Arrangements
Our practitioners are experienced in providing FDR in relation to post-separation financial issues. The Family Law Act requires financial agreements to be 'just and equitable'. As such, a fair agreement for all parties involved is what our practitioners aim to achieve.
Choice Mediations' practitioners employ a four-step process to assist
Our practitioners are experienced in providing FDR in relation to post-separation financial issues. The Family Law Act requires financial agreements to be 'just and equitable'. As such, a fair agreement for all parties involved is what our practitioners aim to achieve.
Choice Mediations' practitioners employ a four-step process to assist you in reaching a financial agreement. This process acknowledges factors that the court considers when reaching decisions in financial matters.
Your practitioner will guide you through the following four steps:
- Identifying assets and liabilities to reach an agreed net worth.
- Identifying past contributions and future needs of both parties.
- Making an offer to settle.
- Negotiating and reaching a settlement.
Child Consultations
Post-Separation Therapy
Post-Separation Therapy
Where deemed appropriate by your practitioner, and with the consent of both parents, your FDR process may include what is known as Child Inclusive Practice (CIP). This is where an experienced Child Consultant can meet with your child/ren in a safe and child friendly environment to discuss any concerns your child/ren might have regarding y
Where deemed appropriate by your practitioner, and with the consent of both parents, your FDR process may include what is known as Child Inclusive Practice (CIP). This is where an experienced Child Consultant can meet with your child/ren in a safe and child friendly environment to discuss any concerns your child/ren might have regarding your separation and their new family system. Our Child Consultants create a safe and comfortable environment, which most children find therapeutic. Pending your child/ren's consent, the Consultant may then share feedback with the parents as well as making recommendations, within the FDR process.
It must be noted however, that no child will be placed in a decision-making role and Child Consultants, while able to provide feedback, are not able to make decisions for the parents. It is envisaged that the parents will use information from the feedback to assist their own decision-making.
Our Child Consultants offer the service both to Choice Mediations' clients as well as to external clients.
Post-Separation Therapy
Post-Separation Therapy
Post-Separation Therapy
We understand that separation is a major life change for all involved and can be an exceedingly stressful and emotional time. This is why we focus exclusively on post-separation therapy, working with children and adolescents, parents and/or the whole family. We provide a safe, nurturing and child focused environment to intervene therapeut
We understand that separation is a major life change for all involved and can be an exceedingly stressful and emotional time. This is why we focus exclusively on post-separation therapy, working with children and adolescents, parents and/or the whole family. We provide a safe, nurturing and child focused environment to intervene therapeutically to have your family functioning at its best in a post-separation context.
We are strong advocates of collaborative practice and work as a team of post-separation professionals to employ interventions best suited to your particular family and unique circumstances.
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