Providing family law mediations for over 25 years with a reputation for settling matters with parents feeling more confident in being able to move forward maintaining a healthy co- parenting relationship.

I’m a AMDRAS Accredited Mediator – a nationally accredited mediator under Australia’s new accreditation framework.

AMDRAS (the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards) is now the national benchmark for mediator accreditation (replacing the previous NMAS framework Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS) Board).

For families this accreditation offers a meaningful assurance that your mediator meets recognised standards for training, ethical practice, ongoing professional development, and quality.

For my work with separating families, this matters because mediation isn’t just about “reaching an agreement” — it’s about reaching an agreement that is:

– child-focused

– practical and workable in real life

– emotionally safe

– and designed to help families move forward without the stress, delay, and cost of court wherever possible.

With years of experience as a family lawyer, and a background in social work; trauma informed practice and front line experience with domestic and family violence and trauma i ‘m committed to helping parents stay anchored to what matters most: creating workable futures for their children — and for themselves and being able to move forward maintaining an amicable and healthy co-parenting relationship where possible. 

If you’re navigating separation and want a structured, calm process to sort out parenting arrangements and/or property, I’m here to help.  If you’re a family lawyer who needs a solution and future focused accredited mediator to assist your client’s and avoid lengthy and costly court proceedings, I am here to help.

I can help in my capacity as:

* Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (with authority to provide s60I certificates)

* Certified Pet Custody Mediator

* and AMDRAS Accredited Mediator.

Family Focus Mediation is a client‑centred dispute‑resolution service dedicated to helping separating families navigate change with clarity, respect, and confidence. We provide a calm, supportive environment where parents and former partners can work through parenting, property, and financial matters in a structured and solution‑focused way.

Our practice is grounded in the belief that families deserve a process that is fair, transparent, and centred on the wellbeing of children. We guide clients through difficult conversations, reduce conflict, and support them in reaching practical, sustainable agreements that reflect their unique circumstances.

With a commitment to professionalism, empathy, and high‑quality service, Family Focus Mediation works collaboratively with legal practitioners, support services, and community networks to ensure families receive comprehensive and informed guidance. Our goal is simple: to help families move forward with dignity, understanding, and a clear path ahead. Amanda & Eva

Bonnie Douglas is an experienced family mediator, registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP), parenting coordinator and divorce coach based on the Mornington Peninsula. Through her practice, Smoother Separations, Bonnie supports individuals and families in navigating separation with clarity, dignity, and less conflict — particularly where children are involved. Her approach is calm, structured and child-focused, drawing on her background in counselling, family dispute resolution and her own lived experience of high-conflict separation. Bonnie works primarily online to support psychological safety and reduce pressure for clients, while offering in-person appointments on the Mornington Peninsula by request. Guided by the belief that “separation should not be a life sentence,” Bonnie helps parents understand conflict patterns, consider different perspectives, and make more workable decisions for themselves and their children.