Kristiina Krank - Kristiina Krank

Hi,

My name is Kristiina Krank and I am based in Stockholm.
In my daily work, I have the pleasure of guiding people in empathic communication, providing tools for building sustainable relationships and human development, both individually and in groups.

I use my knowledge in organisational development and adult development/integral theory as well as my experience as a specialist nurse (about 30 years) and as a CNVC Certified Trainer in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and in consciousness development.

My motivation as a coach and trainer comes from a tireless drive, a curiosity for self-development, and a commitment to improving systems and structures to support everyone's wellbeing. I have been trained in Sweden, Poland, the Netherlands, England and the USA.

I have worked for 20 years in a multicultural area; people from different countries, languages and beliefs. This has given me experience about perspectives and that how you see ”right and wrong” is strongly dependent on culture and norms.

This has led me to search for universal principles that bridge and include diversity and the rich variety of human expression.
I have explored what is at the heart of being human and what it takes for us to live together in peace without losing our individuality.

Background & Motivation

From an early age, I experienced great challenges as my father died of cancer when I was 15 years old. Losing a parent at a young age was a huge crisis for me.

I had no tools of my own to deal with a grief reaction and did not feel supported by the adult world. I felt extremely lonely, scared and lost, with a number of existential questions;

Who am I? What is the meaning of life? Why is there so much suffering and what can I/we do to reduce suffering? How can we relate with more care for each other? How can we feel really good physically and mentally?

The pain and loneliness made me choose to switch off my emotions in order to cope, which in the long run had a negative impact on my health. When I was 20 years old, I was diagnosed with rheumatism. For me, there was a connection between how unprocessed emotions can negatively affect health. I chose to try a holistic approach with acupuncture treatments, changes in diet and exercise, and a new approach to thoughts and feelings. After four years, I was completely free of pain - what a victory!

I learned how thoughts, feelings and behaviours can affect our health and well-being. I was eager to learn more and work on helping people achieve greater wellbeing. I therefore trained as a Shiatsu masseur and Dipl. Acupuncturist in traditional Chinese medicine and started my own business. Working with both a Western and Eastern medical philosophy, I experienced a broader and more holistic approach to health. To further complement my knowledge in ways to increase wellbeing and health, I also trained as a mindfulness instructor.

This has led me to train in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) both in Sweden and internationally, and I am a CNVC certified trainer. I have a keen interest in adult development (Integral Theory) where I have attended several year-long training programmes with Stages International, among others. I have also studied Mahamudra meditation with Dustin DiPerna.

In 2020 I co-founded ”Föreningen Nonviolent Communication i Sverige”, a non-profit association that wants to spread NVC to both individuals and organisations. I sit on the board as treasurer.

www.nvcsverige.se

The Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC) is a global organisation that supports the learning and dissemination of Nonviolent Communication (NVC). CNVC was founded by Marshall Rosenberg, the creator of NVC.
You can read more about me as a trainer here: CNVC Kristiina Krank

In co-operation with.

Cluster/Ekskäret
Kim Barta - The art of consciousness
CNVC - Centre of Nonviolent Communication
Freer Life
Sundbyberg Folk High School
Fryshuset
Swedish Moreno Institute
Sockenstugan collective centre

This is what my customers say

”Kristiina has an ability to talk about things that are deeply moving. What makes it extra vivid for me is that she shares her own experiences. She explains the NVC tool by bringing up clear examples or situations that most people probably recognise themselves in. ”Pathways to Freedom is a very valuable course for me. It gives me new insights and new skills. The approach is pedagogical, methodical, interesting and thought-provoking. I always feel very safe in the room with Kristiina. She gives us time and opportunity to reflect and share our experiences. Everyone is seen, heard and confirmed. Very nice community. I always feel reborn with energy after a session. Already looking forward to the next one."

“The course helped me a lot with how I approach to my family. Previously I was having a lot of mixed feeling toward my family and my relationship to each of them. Now I have more clarity in what I expect and what I can contribute to my family, and the boundaries to protect myself as well. This contributes greatly for me to keep peace in mind. I felt very much comfortable and often felt connected during the practice sessions. It was a safe environment where I could share / ask any thoughts or questions. From time to time Kristiina shared her suggestions / observations, which was nice to hear, since sometimes these ideas expanded my understanding of the situations and helped me move on to strategy with new perspectives. I am very happy with how the practice sessions were organised.”

”I find it difficult to give negative criticism and to receive both positive and negative criticism. I have used the word criticism here because I distinguish between criticism and feedback. If someone asks if I want feedback on something, I welcome it without worry or fear. If this someone asks if I want feedback, it will be even better. Through NVC, however, I have received a tool that makes things easier. During the meeting, this was highlighted both by Kristiina and other participants, which felt good. I feel comfortable and safe, among other things, because Kristiina takes mine and others' thoughts and questions seriously and with respect. Kristiina is attentive to a show of hands and noted out loud who it was their turn to speak. It is not very easy to keep in touch via Zoom, but Kristiina succeeds well with it.”

”I like the practical exercises and it made me take steps forward in my learning of the language of life. The agenda was mixed with both theory and exercises, and it was woven together in a pleasant way. I could reflect out loud and I got support with the things I got stuck on, it created clarity for me. Kristiina was very good timekeeping. I learn the value of taking care of each other. It was an open and friendly environment. Everybody was participating. We had the opportunity to look into each other's hearts. I felt comfortable and safe in the group. Good balance with exercises, theory and breaks. I felt that the information was clear, it was friendly, I felt calm, Kristiina was open and capable, she was also patient, and I experienced her to be experienced and she had a good explanation.”

"I had a good think about "self-awareness" and "self-centredness". For me it was good to let go of all thoughts of how I had been during the day and concentrate on "empathy". I gained insights about myself as I listened, felt some shame, but it passed. I like that it is one thing at a time in a calm way. I got to ask my question and was answered in it. I feel satisfied because everyone got to speak and it is interesting to listen to the others."

“I had the benefit to have more contact with myself. I felt more alive. I felt more at ease at this workshop because of the clarity of instruction before the exercise. I had a new experience doing an experience with feelings and need cards. The exercises, working in pairs around “Expressing a No” was contributing to my understanding. I felt safe. I feel a deep connection with myself and the other participants in the course. Kristiina was open for feedback, and I felt heard by her sharing vulnerable things. This was the first time I was on an NVC workshop so before coming I felt uncomfortable. Kristiina made the environment safe and calm. She gave us clarifying information about the exercises in beforehand. She repeated that it was free to participate in the different exercises and it supported me with safty to be reminded about my choices.”

”This was my first class and Kristiina helped me feel welcome and wanted. What contributed most to that experience was that Kristiina took the time at the beginning of the meeting to greet me, tell me she knew I was new, and walk me through the set-up for the workshop series. I was not previously familiar with the ”Pathways to Freedom” matrix, so the training session was very useful for me in that it gave me new perspectives. In addition, I was helped by having the whole range of gratitude explained to me; from a focus on complaining and what is missing, to being able to see everything as enjoyment or development. Especially ”development” was a milestone that I did not know about. The material was presented via Zoom and I was pleasantly surprised by the meeting culture. For example, participants raised their hands and waited to speak until they were given the floor. This kind of facilitation contributed more to my satisfaction than I would have guessed, it was a strong contributing factor to my feeling comfortable and connected."

”The "constructive regret" course made me realise that I really think it's important to be allowed to feel my shame and guilt, because my experience is that those feelings turn into softer feelings when I deal with them, like with the exercise we had to do. It feels calm and safe that it is similar to the last time. Kristiina listens and meets those who want to tell something, it contributes to a calm. I noticed that I see pictures when others talk and I dare to say what I'm thinking about. I started with an inner dialogue when I listened and the topic itself went into depth. When I did the exercise, I gained new insights about myself. I am slowly starting to feel comfortable and in touch with myself, and I have been celebrating this all day. "

”For me, the content was clear and structured. It helped me to actively listen to what Kristiina said and at the same time reflect/feel for what kind of feelings appeared. The workshop was highly useful, both in close relationships but also in professional relationships. It was in-depth knowledge of which reactions we humans use when we get scared or stressed, perspective changes and how I can relate to feedback; both when I give and when I receive. I felt comfortable and in touch with both myself and the other participants during this workshop. I felt that Kristiina listened actively and with empathy to everyone's reflections/questions. I noticed that Kristiina repeated the question to confirm whether she had understood correctly - it creates security for me and a feeling of respect. I felt listened to. Another thing that contributed to these feelings is that Kristiina gave her own examples from her own life. The workshop gave me a sense of curiosity to learn more."

”The courses meet my need for context - to explore how I can deal with myself in a more helpful way and to do so with others who are interested in this is worth its weight in gold. It also fulfils my need for knowledge - to know how to develop as a person both for myself and in relation to those who are important to me. If you are thinking of joining, try it and see what it gives you!”

”There could be many stories and digressions during the course for obvious reasons. I very much appreciated that Kristiina then structured back to the various terms and concepts of NVC, so that I could learn to use NVC. In other courses I've attended, the training has been allowed to flow into general conversation and social interaction too much. But that didn't happen here thanks to Kristiina's calm guidance”

”The course with Kristiina contributed to my need for security, inspiration, community, learning, joy and feeling seen. It was safe, playful, encouraging in an accepting environment. Kristiina has an educational approach and you want more of these exercises. Kristiina is calm, confident and leads with warmth and acceptance."

”Wow! So inspiring and educational. Haven't been this engrossed in a long time! I liked the calm, competence and variety. Felt safe to ask questions and to participate in the exercises. I will take with me that it is ok to be both ”wolf” and ”giraffe”, but also the calm and harmony that Kristiina radiates. I liked that there was humour and that we could laugh together in the group. I don't know exactly what you did but it was magical!!! So incredibly knowledgeable and professional in so many ways. I want more!!!"

”I feel that I have gained increased knowledge and understanding of NVC. This is because the structure of the course had a variation of theory and practical exercises. I think Kristiina has had an empathetic approach and given clear examples of how NVC can be used. I have felt safe and held during the course and it has contributed to community and contact. Kristiina's way of leading, role-playing, giving examples and communicating during the weekend has inspired me to want to take more courses in NVC."

”I knew intellectually that grief looks different. For many, grief is a difficult and heavy concept. Usually, grief is something you want to avoid or agonise over. The difference after Kristiina's course ”Letting grief take place” is that I now recognise grief, so it becomes accepted and harmless. Now grief is a larger concept with many different emotions. The course gave me a new view of grief and its meaning and an easier way to understand and deal with it. Kristiina is an experienced leader and she took the role in a natural way, which felt comfortable and safe. She explained in a clear way how we could behave, which made us feel safe. Kristiina reflected the words of the participants and presented different aspects to each individual and it helped to feel seen and heard in an honourable way.”

”I have realised the importance of feeling the emotions in my body, I have become better at identifying that ”now I am anxious, now I am afraid, now I am sad”, but I have not been able to understand the underlying needs and have not been able to take steps to satisfy them. It was useful for me to learn to feel my body and put my feelings into words in order to understand what my needs are. I feel very safe with Kristiina, she sees and hears everyone. Her empathy is spot on and I see what I have just expressed in a clearer light. Kristiina has seen my frustration of wanting, but not yet being able, to fully recognise feelings and needs, and she has encouraged me and reminded me of the importance of being gentle with myself and seeing the small steps forward.”

“Things I appreciate are your patience and your attention. You never rushed me and were always present and ready to hear and respond to what I was saying. I always felt relieved when I would share something with you that I thought was shameful to me. Part of my shadow expects judgement, but you were always accepting. There's a gentleness that you bring in general and with your humour. It made it easy to talk about the topics we were discussing. Your application of ESR (Evolution of Shadow Resolution) was gentle as well. You never pushed me to say where I was on ESR, or what the next step was. I think this style of ESR helped me to heal because I could relax and go at my own pace, and yet I never felt lazy. You definitely made a contribution to the change I made, thank you for contributing to that.”

“I am grateful for the support I have received from Kristiina over the past year and the impact that having regular conversations has had. Her ability to listen with empathy and guide me through the shadow process has helped me to deal with, and in some cases largely resolve, triggers both at work and in my private life. It is a liberating feeling not to have to spend time dwelling on things; to be able to get out of emotional, mental and behavioural reactions in previously very triggering situations more quickly. It frees up energy that I can spend on other things. Many thanks!"