Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County

Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County Conflict-Resolution, Mediation, Training and Volunteering Civic Harmony Starts Here!

For 30 years, the Dispute Resolution Center has served residents of Thurston and south Mason Counties through a variety of resources to individuals, families, businesses and organizations, and the broader community, to help manage and resolve conflict, to prevent conflict when possible, and to create a more civil and peaceful community. Our Services:
- Mediation - Our trained and certified mediators serve as impartial facilitators to help people in conflict work toward mutually beneficial agreements.
- Conflict Resolution Resource Line - We provide conflict coaching, information and referrals, and arrange face-to-face mediations.
- Group Facilitation - We help work teams and other groups run orderly and productive meetings, and achieve key goals.
- Training - We provide customized training to businesses and organizations to prevent and manage workplace conflict, promote teamwork and improve customer service
- Youth Empowerment & School Support - We partner with local schools to offer training and support to help the next generation communicate through conflict
- Restorative Justice Facilitated Dialogue - We partner with Thurston County Drug Court to help individuals affected by crime engage in difficult conversations in an effort to hear each other, deepen understanding, and heal the harms caused.
- Eviction Resolution Program Pilot (ERPP) – We help to resolve landlord and tenant disputes before they lead to court filings and evictions, at no cost. Our Impact:
The DRC annually serves more than 6,000 members of our community through this array of services. Our Volunteers:
The DRC's services are made possible by the efforts of more than 140 volunteers who collectively give over 5,000 hours of service each year to help create a more civil and peaceful community. Our Reach:
The DRC of Thurston County is one of 21 dispute resolution centers serving communities across Washington State, working collaboratively through their umbrella organization, Resolution Washington.

The Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County is pleased to offer three new affordable half-day online trainings. Le...
02/26/2026

The Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County is pleased to offer three new affordable half-day online trainings. Learn more about them at > https://conta.cc/3MLKU2D

"Impactful Conversations: Giving & Receiving Feedback" - March 3rd
Explore barriers to effective feedback, how culture and identity shape feedback experiences, and practice delivering and receiving feedback in a way that promotes growth and mutual respect. Next training coming up is May 12th.

"Culture & Power: In Communication & Conflict" - April 7th
Go beyond surface-level communication to explore the deeper forces that shape how conflict unfolds: culture and power. Learn tools for naming and navigating power dynamics and for fostering communication that honors difference while still getting the work done!

"Clash to Conversation: Finding Connection Beyond Conflict" - April 16th
Learn practical strategies to transform conflict into meaningful dialogue. Through real-life scenarios, role plays, and civil communication tools, you’ll practice staying calm under pressure, expressing yourself clearly, and listening with respect.

Learn more at >
https://conta.cc/3MLKU2D




Thank you to the Zonta Club of Olympia for their generous support of the recent community dialogue, "Centering Women's V...
02/23/2026

Thank you to the Zonta Club of Olympia for their generous support of the recent community dialogue, "Centering Women's Voices", which the DRC facilitated in partnership with the South Sound YMCA and YWCA of Olympia.

Are you experiencing conflict with your landlord or tenant?Has communication broken down with your housemate?Are relatio...
02/20/2026

Are you experiencing conflict with your landlord or tenant?
Has communication broken down with your housemate?
Are relationships strained with your neighbor or HOA?

You don’t have to navigate these challenges alone. The Dispute Resolution Center offers a wide range of resources to residents of Thurston County to address and resolve housing-related conflict. Many of these services are available at low or no cost.

Learn more > https://www.mediatethurston.org/housing-services.html






Housing Services

02/19/2026

Our Conflict Crash Course training will once again be offered through City of Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation. Thanks to this partnership, we're making our trainings accessible to more members of our community.

Join us on Saturday, February 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for this 4-hour in-person training at Olympia Center to learn tips to help you navigate conflict & get to a resolution.

This interactive course introduces conflict resolution and provides practical skills for daily use to improve communication, enhance relationships, manage conflict, and prevent verbal escalation.

Learn More Here:
https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/olyparksartsrec/activity/search/detail/12920?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

🌟 Strengthen Your Communication Through Better FeedbackJoin us for this interactive half‑day online training where we’ll...
02/13/2026

🌟 Strengthen Your Communication Through Better Feedback

Join us for this interactive half‑day online training where we’ll dive into the art of providing and accepting feedback. You’ll learn intentional communication practices that build trust, accountability, and clarity while exploring what shapes our feedback experiences in both professional and personal settings.

A valuable opportunity to elevate how you engage with others.

Learn more > https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1689149003139?aff=oddtdtcreator

Let's chat about how to give and receive feedback in a way that really makes a difference!

A huge THANK YOU to Kathy Baros Friedt from all of us in the DRC Family for your many years of dedication to and support...
02/08/2026

A huge THANK YOU to Kathy Baros Friedt from all of us in the DRC Family for your many years of dedication to and support for the mission of the Dispute Resolution Center - and for the broader impact you've made through your service to our community.
Best wishes as you begin the next chapter of your life in a new community.

Do you know someone who deserves recognition for promoting peace and civility in our community?There's still time to no...
02/06/2026

Do you know someone who deserves recognition for promoting peace and civility in our community?

There's still time to nominate them for the 2026 Evan Ferber Peacemaker Leadership Award.
The deadline for nominations is March 1st.

Learn more about the award and how to nominate someone by clicking here >

Email from Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County Please consider nominating someone who deserves recognition for their community service Do you know someone who deserves recognition for promoti

We're pleased to offer our popular Professional Mediation Training Course on Saturdays in March, to make it more accessi...
02/03/2026

We're pleased to offer our popular Professional Mediation Training Course on Saturdays in March, to make it more accessible for people whose jobs or other commitments make it challenging to attend weekday sessions.

40-hour Professional Mediation Training
March 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
Saturdays 9:00AM - 6:00PM PST
In-Person Training

We are offering Saturday trainings to reduce barriers for those who can’t attend during the week, because access matters. Being together in-person creates space for real dialogue, practice, and community.

Whether you want to become a certified mediator or are looking to strengthen your relationships at home and at work, the concepts and skills taught in this training are easily transferable and designed to improve communication and enhance relationships in all settings.

Register Today>> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1640576641899?aff=oddtdtcreator



Build skills to resolve conflict, strengthen relationships, and make a difference—join our 40-hour mediation training today!

Go deeper than surface-level communication. Explore how culture, identity, and power shape conflict and influence who is...
01/28/2026

Go deeper than surface-level communication. Explore how culture, identity, and power shape conflict and influence who is heard.

This interactive online training uses exercises and reflective dialogue to help you name invisible dynamics, navigate power imbalances, and build communication that honors difference while getting work done.

Register now to gain practical tools for more equitable, effective conversations. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1689077529359?aff=oddtdtcreator

“Explore the impact of culture and power in conflict and walk away with practical tools for communication that works across differences.”

Disagreements don’t have to become battles. Join our interactive half-day online training. Clash to Conversation: Findin...
01/23/2026

Disagreements don’t have to become battles. Join our interactive half-day online training. Clash to Conversation: Finding Connection Beyond Conflict.

Thursday, February 5th from 8:30AM - 12:30PM

Experience role‑plays and real scenarios to help you stay calm, speak clearly, and listen with respect. Walk away with the confidence to turn clashes into conversations that build understanding, strengthen relationships, and move things forward.

Register Today >> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1708512680419?aff=oddtdtcreator

Let's turn heated clashes into meaningful conversations - join us online for tips on transforming conflict into constructive dialogue!

01/23/2026

Email from Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County Improve Your Skills in Giving & Receiving Feedback   Impactful Conversations: Giving & Receiving Feedback Online Training Tuesday, January 27th,

Address

​2604 12th Court SW, Suite A-2
Olympia, WA
98502

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram