Nonviolent Communication for Therapists, Dunedin

2-day Foundational Training

(Optional bonus 1/2 day Ecotherapy Intro on Sunday morning, 9 May)

There is an increasing interest in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) amongst therapeutic practitioners in recent years, as more people are becoming aware of the power of using NVC as a foundational model for creating alliance with their clients, as well as how useful the model is for teaching clients how to communicate more effectively in their own relationships.

NVC was originally developed by Marshall Rosenberg, an American psychologist, mediator, author and teacher, who worked with renowned Psychologist Dr Carl Rogers to explore the essential requirements of a therapeutic connection.

The essential principles and focus of NVC are on understanding and working with…

• Skilful self-connection as a means to communicate effectively with others
• The beneficial role of emotions
• The great benefits of being able to understand others and express oneself effectively
• Developing heartfelt connection as the natural consequence of authentic, clear, engaged, attuned, empathic listening
• The power of experiencing congruency between one’s internal experience, empathic awareness of others, and communication
• The positive impact of unconditionally receiving love and appreciation, and of offering these to others

This 2-day workshop will support therapists,  psychologists, mentors, social workers, counsellors, mental health case workers, probation officers, etc., to develop a clear understanding of the NVC philosophy and how to implement it within your sessions and as part of your foundational alliance-building skills.

Learning nonviolent communication will :

• Support client trust and connection
• Support ease in clearly understanding your clients’ needs
• Create a framework for working with clients’ challenging emotions and life strategies
• Support a base development of client-centred communication
• Support effective boundary setting, emotional safety and structure
• Share concrete and do-able skills that your clients can implement easily into all domains of their lives to support self awareness, connection and change.

The overall structure of this training will include the following 8 modules, spread across two full days:

• Differentiating between feelings and thoughts
• Connecting feelings to needs and needs to strategies
• Listening and empathy
• Observations vs. evaluations
• Self-empathy
• Making requests
• Honest expression
• Mourning, healing and reconciliation

Free bonus session – An Introduction to Ecotherapy

This will be offered as a free optional on the following Sunday morning, from 9.30am to 12.30pm, in Waitati (20mins north of Dunedin – transport may be arranged). We will have a short intro to ecotherapy and how it can serve your clients, followed by a guided experiential exercise and debrief).

Set in the magical Waitati Valley, the surrounding by native bush, birdsong, and the flow of the river will inspire and invigorate. You may never want to work out of an office again!

This intro to ecotherapy will be held both indoors and outdoors. Please contact Toni McFarlane if you would like more details: toni@restorativerelationships.co.nz / 027 868 1987.