From the outside looking in, it appears as if architect Paul Randolph and his wife, Brenda, have it all. They've lived a comfortable life in the same house on Songbird Lane in New Orleans East with their two children, nine-year-old Jason and seven-year-old Janie, for the last ten years. But Paul's life is a lie. None of his dreams of a vine-covered cottage with a little picket fence are anywhere near reality. He feels trapped in a loveless marriage and is emotionally unable to have an affair. Paul is not sexually attracted to women, and he is frightened to make a sexual advance on a man for fear the man will react unfavorably, or even violently. On the Brink follows Paul's journey as he addresses the emotional and psychological aspects of his sexuality. He is torn between his love for his children, his societal position, and a desperate desire for integrity. Weary of suppressing his true self, Paul deliberates his fate, his only desire being wholeness.

This practical guide, with a foreword by Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, will assist those interested in conflict resolution to better understand the psychological processes of parties in conflict and mediation. As Randolph argues, psychology is increasingly perceived by lawyers as a vital tool for resolving conflicts in the litigation environment, whether in commercial, family, community or employment disputes. With an ever-growing demand for mediators across international borders, the psychologically-informed mediator can also provide much needed facilitation in global trade and peace negotiations, as well as being invaluable in helping to resolve a variety of political and international conflicts.

From the outside looking in, it appears as if architect Paul Randolph and his wife, Brenda, have it all. They've lived a comfortable life in the same house on Songbird Lane in New Orleans East with their two children, nine-year-old Jason and seven-year-old Janie, for the last ten years. But Paul's life is a lie. None of his dreams of a vine-covered cottage with a little picket fence are anywhere near reality. He feels trapped in a loveless marriage and is emotionally unable to have an affair. Paul is not sexually attracted to women, and he is frightened to make a sexual advance on a man for fear the man will react unfavorably, or even violently. On the Brink follows Paul's journey as he addresses the emotional and psychological aspects of his sexuality. He is torn between his love for his children, his societal position, and a desperate desire for integrity. Weary of suppressing his true self, Paul deliberates his fate, his only desire being wholeness.

This book is based on the fundamental tenet that conflict is ever present and cannot be eliminated but can be worked with. The authors demonstrate that the mediator can facilitate a paradigm shift in their approach, moving from adversity to a 'good enough' working alliance, providing practical approaches to the dilemmas and pitfalls mediators invariably face.