Thursday, May 27, 2021
6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Via ZOOM
Guest Coaches: Eva DiGiammarino and Laura Tarcea
In this role-play, we meet Alex and Brenda, who have been married for 18 years and have two children together, 16-year-old Christina and 13-year-old Daniel. Brenda initiated the separation in December 2020 but, in reality, the romantic relationship ended 10 years prior. Brenda stayed in the relationship longer than she wanted to because about 8 years ago Alex was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. In the early stages of his diagnosis Alex was able to carry on work, drive, help with the children and live independently. However, now, his symptoms are worse; he is experiencing tremors, stiff muscles, speech changes (slurring, stuttering) and slow movements (getting out of a chair and walking can be done but is slow and difficult). Stressful situations make these symptoms worse.
Alex cannot work and lives off of disability benefits (about $20,000/year). Brenda works as a project manager for a large retail company (earning about $130,000.00/year). Alex is very stressed about the separation and is nervous about his financial future. Talking about these issues is hard for him emotionally and also because the stress increases his Parkinson’s symptoms. Brenda wants the best for everyone but she has also sacrificed and put everyone’s needs first for the last 18 years; she now desperately wants to live a life where her needs are also met and she doesn’t have to be forever a “caregiver”.
Guest coaches, Eva DiGiammarino and Laura Tarcea, share their expertise in family mediation
Eva DiGiammarino is a family lawyer dedicated to helping families separate in an amicable, affordable and child-focused way. Eva passionately believes in the power of mediation to heal emotional wounds and help parties resolve their legal disputes.
Eva graduated from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law. Prior to law school, Eva worked for many years as a Sexual Assault Counsellor. With this experience, Eva gained the special skills necessary to work with clients who have experienced physical and emotional trauma.
Associations and Accreditations
JD, University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law
Hons. BA, York University
Certified Specialist in Alternative Dispute Resolution, York University
Board Member, Family Mediation Resource Centre
Member, Canadian Italian Advocates Organization
Member, Family Lawyers Association (Toronto)
Co-Host at Love, Divorce and Everything in Between (YouTube Channel)
With a background in Psychology, Mental Health, Research and Program Development, Laura Tarcea brings valuable insight and critical knowledge to parents. She specializes in helping couples create equitable agreements as the groundwork for new family systems and positive post-separation lives.
In addition to Family Mediation Group, Laura founded the Family Mediation and Resources (FMR), a non-governmental organization. FMR provides low and middle-income families with affordable and equal access to family dispute resolution alternatives.
Associations and Accreditations
LL.M (Dispute Resolution)
Hons. B.A. (Psychology)
Accredited Family Mediator, AccFM (OAFM)
Certified Specialist in Family Mediation, FDRP Med (FDRIO)
Member, Ontario Association of Family Mediation (OAFM)
Founder and President, Family Mediation and Resource Centre
Founding Member, Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario (FDRIO)
Co-Host at Love, Divorce and Everything in Between (YouTube Channel)