Learn to spot when clients are experiencing trauma responses or cognitive overload—even when they appear calm on the surface. Move beyond intuition to structured, observable evidence.

Use the four organizing domains—body, feelings, cognition, and context—to understand how functional capacity may be compromised and what your clients truly need from you.

Ensure your clients can genuinely understand information, evaluate options, and make voluntary decisions. Protect the integrity of your mediation process while supporting meaningful participation.

What Is the Brief Functional Capacity Checklist?

Mediation works best when clients can actively participate—but trauma and cognitive overload often hide beneath a composed exterior. The BFCC is a practical, structured observational checklist designed specifically for mediators who want to recognize when a client may be struggling. It's not a diagnostic tool or a legal determination. Instead, it's a real-world framework that helps you notice what's actually happening with your clients so you can adapt your approach and ensure they're genuinely able to engage in the process. By observing through the lens of body, feelings, cognition, and context, you'll develop a clearer picture of your client's functional capacity—and the wisdom to know when additional support is needed.

About the BFCC

The Brief Functional Capacity Checklist was developed because mediators kept running into the same challenge: how do you know if a client can truly participate? Intuition isn't enough, and clinical assessments aren't always available—or appropriate. The BFCC bridges that gap. It's built on the understanding that trauma and cognitive overload show up in observable ways: in how people hold their bodies, in the emotions they express, in their ability to track information, and in the circumstances surrounding them. This tool gives you a structured way to gather and organize those observations, turning them into actionable insights. Whether you're working with high-conflict couples, family disputes, or complex negotiations, the BFCC helps you create space for genuine, informed participation.

Get Your Free Copy of the Brief Functional Capacity Checklist Today

Don't let hidden trauma responses derail your mediation process. Download the BFCC now and start recognizing the signs your clients need you to notice. It's free, practical, and ready to use in your next session.

Get your free download now