About Mediator Kelly Gerling Ph.D.

I have over three decades of experience as a mediator. My 1988 doctoral dissertation, titled Universals of Negotiation created a coherent, comprehensive, dynamic model of how to bring about agreement with people in conflict. I specialize in divorces when one or both of the members of the couple are pro se—representing themselves, as well as in emotionally charged situations when agreement is still needed despite  anger and resentment by one or both of the parties.

My mission as a mediator is to help my clients who are in conflict with significant people in their lives to design and implement good agreements. The majority of my work as a mediator is with divorcing couples. Some divorces are prevented through mediation. Others are finalized. Plus I work with the ongoing details of tweaking agreements of divorced couples regarding parenting plans and other important issues. I also work with business partners, managers, executives and owners who need to reach agreements with those with whom they work.

My work for my clients is supported by applying the ideas, insights and latest advances of cognitive science, psychology, NLP, social science, and other emerging fields.

I got my Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Resources from Arizona State University in 1976, and a Master of Arts degree in Human Relations and General Counseling from Governor’s State University in 1978. In 1988 I completed a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at American Commonwealth University in San Diego. During my doctoral work I studied with family therapists Ramon Corrales and Larry Ro-Trock; NLP co-founder John Grinder; and one of the co-founders of family therapy, Virginia Satir. I worked closely with them for many years. My 567-page doctoral dissertation is titled Universals of Negotiation.

I am co-author of the top-selling tape series and book NLP: The New Technology of Achievement (Nightingale-Conant, 1991 and William Morrow, 1994). I also contributed to a book on alternative education called Creating Learning Communities. I have published many articles about personal change, organizational change, learning, communication and healthy relationships. I was certified as an Approved Mediator in Core and Domestic Mediation in the State of Kansas by the Kansas Supreme Court Office of Judicial Administration in 2006. This work on mediation helps me with my individual clients by sorting out and solving problems between their inner parts or sub-personalities. In 2009 I gain a certification in Collaborative Law.

I live in the Seattle Area. My office is the historic Ballard District. In addition to in-person mediations, I also do phone mediation sessions with clients elsewhere in the Northwest, and beyond, both nationally and internationally.

To reach me directly, call my cell at 206-618-2888