Professional Work History:
Before becoming a mediator, Vanessa was a certified mindfulness teacher and spent a decade teaching insight practices and mindful communication. In 2015, she co-founded Chrysalis Meditation Center where she had the honor of introducing meditation to thousands of parents, school teachers, and children. In 2019, she published a prescriptive memoir on mindful parenting in a modern family. Vanessa earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication with honors from Bridgewater State University. She trained in Professional Mediation at Cornell University.
Dispute Resolution Experience
Vanessa Linsey is a mediator with MWI, New England's largest, most impactful mediation firm. Vanessa mediates a variety of cases for Massachusetts District, Municipal, and Probate and Family Courts, including: divorce, parenting plans, never-married parents, small claims, civil cases, and harassment prevention orders. She sees mediation not as a legal alternative, but as a wellness practice. Vanessa helps clients transform hurt into healing through mediation.
Vanessa's specialty is working with families. She has been a mother for 20 years. With three children and four stepchildren ages eight to 28 (plus stepparents going back three generations), she has survived and thrived through all kinds of family conflict. She understands the power of productive conversation and sees family mediation as an opportunity for transformation through empowered collaboration and reimagined relationships.
Focus Areas
Parent / Teen Mediation
Stepfamily Mediation
Divorce Mediation
COVID 19 Parenting Plan changes / requests for changes
Mediation to Stay Married
Adult Sibling Disputes
Child Support
Never Married Parents Mediation
Same-sex Divorce Mediation
Harassment Prevention Orders
Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities
Author, Metta Mom, A Mindful Guide to Managing Your Mood & Your Brood
Mediator, MWI Divorce and Family Mediation Panel
Mediator, Massachusetts District & Municipal Courts
Founder, Chrysalis Meditation Center
Speaker, Well Summit
Certified Lifeboat Commander, Holland America Line
Background and Education
BA in Speech Communications, CL, Bridgewater State University, 1999
Professional Mediation Program, Cornell University
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Tools Practicum, University of Massachusetts
Meditation Teacher Training, Boston Buddha
Cornell University Dispute Resolution Training (Course titles and dates taken)
Professional Mediation Certificate, 3 Courses, Summer/Fall 2019
Other Dispute Resolution Training
University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Intensive 2009
MWI Advanced Negotiation Training, October 2019
MWI Advanced Divorce Mediation Training, January 2020
Professional Associations
The Washington Center (TWC) Alumni
Education
Bridgewater State University, BA Speech Communications, Mass Media Concentration
Awarded BSU's first internship with The Washington Center
Dozens of additional courses completed at:
Bentley University (business)
Lesley University (education)
School of Fashion Design (construction and pattern-making)
Fee Policy
Visit mwi.org.