About APFMC | Association of Private Family Mediators Canada
APFMC was founded in 2026 by practising family mediators who felt the existing associations didn't reflect the way they work. We serve mediators whose clients come to them privately, and we grant the AP.fm designation: the family mediation credential that requires training in divorce financial planning.
Private practice needed its own association
Family mediation in Canada has largely been shaped by the court system. Court-connected mediation services do important work, and the associations that grew up around them reflect that focus: government contracts, intake processes and a model where clients are referred in.
Private practice is different. Your clients find you, interview you and hire you. They often want to settle everything, including the finances, the parenting plan and the practical details of two households, before anyone files anything.
They want a mediator who can handle the whole conversation, not just one narrow piece of it.
The mediators who do this work have had no association of their own, and no designation that reflects the financial skill the work demands. APFMC changes both.
What AP.fm means
AP.fm stands for Accredited Private Family Mediator To hold it, a mediator must:
Complete recognized family mediation training.
Hold a qualifying financial designation, such as CFDS, CDFA, CFP, CPA, PFP, QAFP, R.F.P. or CLU, or complete the financial training offered by our affiliated trainer. The full list is on the Membership page.
Practise family mediation with private clients.
Agree to the APFMC Code of Conduct and Practice Standards.
Keep both skill sets current through continuing education.
The financial requirement is what sets AP.fm apart.
Other family mediation designations in Canada certify process skills only.
AP.fm certifies that the mediator can also work through the money with you.
How we're organized
APFMC is a private association. Our model is similar to professional bodies in related fields, such as the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts: a membership organization that sets standards, delivers education, grants a designation and keeps a public directory so clients can find qualified professionals.
We're rolling out province by province, starting in Ontario. Membership is open to qualified family mediators anywhere in Canada.
What we stand for
Private clients deserve a full service. A good private mediator helps with parenting, support, property and the transition to two households, and knows when to bring in a lawyer or counsellor.
Financial competence is not optional. Most separations are a financial reorganization first. A mediator without financial training is guessing at the most important part.
Standards should match the work. Our code of conduct and practice standards are written for mediators who run a practice and answer to paying clients.
Mediators do better together. Private practice can be isolating. Peer groups and referral relationships make everyone stronger.
Founders
Sarah Bates, Co-founder
Sarah is a family mediator and Certified Divorce Specialist with deep experience helping clients through the practical side of separation. She leads APFMC's member community, peer groups and public outreach.
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Advisory board seats are open
APFMC is forming an advisory board to guide the association through its early years. Seats are open now, and we'd welcome an inquiry from you if you bring relevant experience and care about the future of private family mediation in Canada.
We're looking for people such as:
Experienced private family mediators, in Ontario and in other provinces.
Family lawyers who support mediated settlements.
Financial professionals who work with separating couples, including divorce financial analysts, accountants and financial planners.
Mental health professionals and child specialists with family separation experience.
Educators and trainers in mediation or dispute resolution.
People with experience in association governance, credentialing, and leadership.
Advisory board members help shape our standards, education programs and the AP.fm designation. The commitment is modest: a few meetings a year, mostly by video, and the occasional review of a document. Seats are voluntary. If that sounds like you, or like someone you know, please get in touch. Tell us a little about your background and why the work interests you, and we'll follow up to talk.
Join us
If you're a family mediator serving private clients, we'd like to hear from you.
