Racheting down tension

Sometimes in mediation two parties are more bent on hurting and destroying each other than working things out. They may even prolong a mediation to hurt each other. Sometimes, the best thing a mediator can do is to simply end the session and give parties space and time to calm down. Sometimes this can be accomplished with a short break; occasionally it means rescheduling. One accomplishes more at times by indirect  results. Lower the tension so people can think and then mediate. This is often more helpful than trying to mediate under a dark cloud of pain and reactivity.