THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SAFE AND BRAVE SPACES
In MEDIATION
Mediation is not therapy. Nor is it a court. It is a facilitated human space where clarity, mutual understanding and conflict resolution opportunities emerge. This requires a careful balance between what has been described as the movement from a ‘safe space’ to a ‘brave space.’
WHERE THE CONCEPT COMES FROM
The term ‘safe space’ first gained traction with minority groups, referring to environments where individuals could express their identities and experiences without fear. Over time, the idea of safety in dialogue expanded into educational, therapeutic and conflict resolution settings, where emotional protection and mutual respect became cornerstones of effective communication.
The term ‘brave space’ was more recently articulated by Brian Arao and Kristi Clemens in 2013 in their essay, From Save Spaces to Brave Spaces: A New Way to Frame Dialogue Around Diversity and Social Justice. Their work recognised that while safety is essential, it can also unintentionally suppress necessary conversations, particularly when it feels uncomfortable but it is vital to growth and repair. They proposed that true transformation often requires participants to show courage, take risks, and tolerate vulnerability within a supported container. This distinction has direct application to family mediation.
THE ROLE OF A SAFE SPACE IN MEDIATION
A safe space is one where emotional containment is prioritised. In practical terms, it means:
· People are not interrupted, criticised, or coerced while speaking
· Personal boundaries are respected
· The environment is calm, neutral, and free from escalation
· Psychological safety is continuously assessed and maintained.
In mediation, clients can speak confidentially and they can clarify their needs without being pressured into premature agreement. Their sense of safety is particularly important for parties who may have experienced conflict - related trauma, or who may have struggled to be heard within the relationship.
THE ROLE OF THE BRAVE SPACE IN MEDIATION
A brave space allows for growth. It makes room for:
· Disagreement without defensiveness
· Truth telling that may be uncomfortable
· Ownership of mistakes, impact or unintended consequences
· Speaking from the heart when facts and feelings collide
In a brave space, clients are invited - not forced - to explore what lies beneath fixed positions. To listen differently. To take the risk of saying “This is why I have taken this stance’’, even when the explanation reveals vulnerability or fear. It allows the other party to respond with insight rather than assumption.
Bravery does not mean abandoning safety. It means recognising that safety is not the absence of discomfort, but the presence of enough trust to tolerate it. When held skillfully, a brave space becomes the soil in which clarity and compromise can grow.
At Mediation First, we hold the tension between these two spaces with great care. We do not push for resolution before readiness, nor do we avoid holding the space for alternative perspectives of truth.
