Since the very start, Amy has worked with complex family dynamics and with the most extreme cases— with families that came from very strained backgrounds including severe situations of trauma, abuse, neglect, and foster care. Along with the complex cases, she also seen a ton of “regular” couples and families in her practice. What she learned quickly is that unfortunately most couples do not go to couples therapy until their relationships were much too severed to improve upon. Today, Wilhelmi is a staunch advocate for preventative couples work. Like eating clean, going to the gym, or getting enough sleep—relationship betterment should be included in one’s “self care” routine. 

Unfortunately life took a toll on her own marriage. And after ten years, she found herself facing her own relationship “red flags” that were not able to be resolved with a TON of couple’s therapy and individual work. Over time, after doing a lot of research and contacting several attorneys (which were great professionals themselves) there was still this gnawing feeling within her that there MUST be a more peaceful and financially responsible way than the “two attorney litigation model” to end this stage of their lives called Marriage. After all, the parties had hurt each other enough and divorce was hard enough. She couldn’t foresee enduring more damage by engaging in the court system. Her priorities were her (3) children’s future.

The therapist, researcher in her, and lover of peace and life led them down the path of gentle mediation. There were many supportive people in their lives rooting for kindness and many strained nights around the kitchen table. Wilhelmi and ex-spouse were able to successfully unwind their lives over a course of months in a way that felt better to them and their family. They have a motto in their home, “We will always be a family, even if it looks different.” The judge at the one and final Divorce hearing that they attended together (and themselves without an attorney or representation)— with their documents carefully prepared by their mediator— said it was “the most peaceful divorce I have ever seen.” Note: just because it was peaceful at that moment DOES NOT mean that it was always peaceful, it was really hard at times BUT we were committed to the process.

This personal story of success in an extremely difficult situation—working hard to do the work, and having been there is the passion behind this practice. 

You will meet your mediator who has gone through it and is now on the other side. You will be met with a depth of empathy that is only known through experience.

The only way through is through.