Non-Violent Communication (NVC)
Quick link to Non-Violent Communication (NVC) videos and website resources.
NVC (nonviolent communication) is an empathy-based form of communication. If practiced, it transforms every relationship in our lives, starting with our relationship to ourselves. We are not conditioned to be good listeners. Generally, we are more interested in what we have to say, fixing or saving someone else and in protecting our ideas and constructs. This inhibits us from really hearing ourselves and others. NVC gives us a framework to transform how we communicate and engage with every person in our lives.
There are 4 basic stages to working with and understanding NVC. Observations, feelings, needs & requests.
1-Observations
Instead of listening to someone’s story or narrative we practice listening to what they are actually trying to communicate by trying to understand their feelings and needs.
2-Feelings
We use discernment to try and uncover our own feelings or another’s.
3-Needs
Under every feeling is a need we are trying to meet. For example, I can be feeling anxious because I have a need for safety.
4-Requests
Once I identify my needs or others it is important to discern if any action is needed. In the example above I figured out I was anxious because I had a need for safety. My request might be “can we please leave this restaurant”.
Please CHECK PAA for current/upcoming NVC groups & meetings.
Overview of the group
Stuffed and stored emotions block the life force in our bodies. This is especially true with folks struggling with any form of parental alienation and/or as estrangement. These blockages interfere with our ability to fully engage life’s joys and obstacles.
This group will focus on needs, feelings and ultimately requests. As we share our feelings, recognize our needs and then ask for our needs to be met(request)s, the emotional blockages are released and we can engage life in a new and meaningful way.
We gather to practice identifying and sharing our feelings, our needs and subsequent requests. We will all be working from the same feelings and needs lists.
“When our emotions are free to flow everything becomes possible”