“We came in barely able to talk to each other. We left with a parenting schedule we both actually helped write.”
Co-parenting participants
Family mediation
La Roc Mediation & Resolution Services
When conflict feels impossible, there is still a way forward.
Neutral, compassionate mediation for individuals and families in Suffolk County, New York.
- —Respected
- —Heard
- —Empowered
Respected. Heard. Empowered.
Bridging Conflict. Building Solutions.
Meet Dorothy
You deserve to be respected, heard, and empowered.
I'm Dorothy Laroche, a mediator and conflict resolution professional serving Suffolk County, New York. My journey into mediation was a gradual realization of something that came naturally to me: the ability to see multiple perspectives, understand what is beneath the conflict, and help people move toward resolution.
With a background in criminal justice, behavioral health, and business, I bring empathy, accountability, and practical problem-solving to every session. I do not decide who is right or wrong — I create space for each person to be heard and help participants develop solutions they can genuinely live with.
“Every conflict creates a choice. You can stay divided, or you can build a bridge toward resolution.”Connect on LinkedIn
01
Criminal justice
Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminal Justice, with an MBA in Law Enforcement Executive Management in progress.
02
Behavioral health
Experience with the human side of conflict — stress, grief, communication patterns, and accountability.
03
Business & practical problem solving
A focus on workable outcomes, not just conversation, informed by court-connected and family mediation work.
Services
Support for the conversations that matter most.
Every matter is different. Each service below is a structured, respectful process where participants stay in control of the outcome.
What to expect
A structured, respectful environment.
Everyone has an opportunity to be heard and to participate in shaping the resolution. Sessions are paced so no one feels rushed, and ground rules keep the conversation balanced even when the subject is hard.
Mediation is not legal representation and does not guarantee an outcome. If mediation is not the right fit for your situation, I will say so honestly during intake.
My Philosophy
Respected. Heard. Empowered.
No one should feel shame, judgment, or uncertainty here. Conflict is part of being human — what people need in the middle of it is not a verdict, but a room where they can speak honestly and see a way forward.
I am neutral by design. I do not take sides, I do not represent either participant, and I do not decide who is right or wrong. What I do is keep the process fair, help each person be understood, and help everyone move from positions to interests — the real concerns underneath the disagreement.
Mediation is voluntary, and that matters. Because participants build their own agreement, they tend to understand it, own it, and follow through on it. The goal is not merely to end a dispute, but to leave people with something practical and livable.
Bridging Conflict. Building Solutions.
Dorothy Laroche
La Roc Mediation & Resolution Services
How Mediation Works
A clear process, explained in plain language.
Mediation is voluntary and structured. Here is what the path from first call to agreement usually looks like.
- 01
Reach out
Send a note or call. We talk briefly about what is happening and whether mediation may fit your situation.
- 02
Intake & consultation
I gather the basics from each participant, explain the process and the confidentiality rules that apply, and answer your questions.
- 03
Opening the conversation
In session, everyone hears the ground rules and has uninterrupted time to explain their perspective and what matters most to them.
- 04
Understanding the issues
Together we separate positions from underlying interests and concerns, so the real questions become clear and workable.
- 05
Exploring options
Participants generate possibilities. I keep the conversation balanced and focused — I never decide who is right or wrong.
- 06
Agreement & next steps
If you reach agreement, the agreed terms can be documented for your review. Many participants also have their own attorney review it.
Understanding Mediation
What mediation is — and what it is not.
What mediation is.
A confidentially-oriented, voluntary process where participants speak for themselves, hear one another, and shape their own agreement. The mediator manages the conversation so it stays balanced, focused, and respectful.
What mediation is not.
- A mediator does not decide who is right or wrong.
- A mediator does not represent either participant or provide legal advice.
- Mediation does not guarantee that an agreement will be reached.
- Mediation is not appropriate for every situation, including some involving safety concerns or coercion.
Why La Roc
Four reasons people choose this practice.
Mediation works best when the process feels personal, respectful, and focused on what comes next. Here is what people tell me matters most about working with La Roc.
01
You work with me directly
No intake team, no handoffs. The person you speak with on the first call is the person in the room.
02
Warm, not clinical
This is a mediation practice, not a law office. Expect a calm, human conversation instead of a proceeding.
03
Honest about fit
If mediation is not appropriate for your situation, I will tell you during intake rather than after you have invested time.
04
Practical outcomes
Sessions aim at something you can actually use — a schedule, a plan, a set of terms — not just a better feeling.
Why La Roc
What it feels like to work with me.
01
Neutral, always
I do not take sides and I do not represent either participant. My role is to keep the process fair and balanced.
02
Nonjudgmental
No one is asked to defend how they got here. You will not be shamed or lectured in this room.
03
You keep the decisions
Mediation is voluntary. Participants stay in control of every decision that affects their lives.
04
Compassionate & practical
Emotions are real and they matter. So does leaving with something you can actually use on Monday morning.
05
Grounded experience
A background in criminal justice, behavioral health, and business informs how I hold difficult conversations.
06
Human, start to finish
You speak with me directly — from the first call through the last session.
In their words
What people say after mediation.
“I never felt judged, and I never felt rushed. For the first time in months, I felt heard.”
Separation participant
Divorce & separation mediation
“Calm, organized, and completely fair to both of us. It kept a small dispute from becoming a long fight.”
Civil dispute participant
Small claims mediation
Illustrative examples reflecting common mediation outcomes. Because mediation is confidential, named client reviews are shared only with written permission.
Resources & FAQ
Answers, before you ask.
If your question isn't here, send a note — I answer personally.
Take the First Step
You don't have to navigate this alone.
A confidential conversation is the easiest way to find out whether mediation is right for your situation. There is no pressure, no obligation, and no cost to explore your options.
Let's Connect
Reach out when you're ready.
Share as much or as little as you like. Everything you send is treated with discretion, and there is no obligation to move forward after our first conversation.
EmailLarocmediation@gmail.comPhone347-372-2725
ServingSuffolk County, New York
Response timeUsually within one business day
Your conversation is confidential
Everything you share is kept private. There is no obligation to move forward, and no information is disclosed without your permission.
Let's Connect
There is still a way forward.
A short conversation is enough to know whether mediation fits your situation. No pressure, no judgment.