By Kristiina Krank | 4 April 2024 | 3 minutes reading
NVC | Learning | Development | Course

In 2014, I came into contact with NVC. I was going through a major life crisis where I felt very lost, alone and scared. Previously, I had felt quite confident in the experiences and knowledge I had to understand the world, myself and others. I had a good education, family and job and didn't realise that my life situation could change in such a transformative way that I started to question who I was and what created meaning in my life. After a number of visits to different coaches, I was about to give up. I felt that none of them really understood me and my situation and I felt even more alone and resigned than ever. Until I met coach Sofie. She listened and relayed what she had heard was important to me in a way that I felt heard and seen. What a relief!
Before, I hadn't thought much about how important it is to feel heard when life feels really tough. That someone else is there and can reflect what is going on inside. Sofie also gave me feedback on behaviours she saw could negatively affect my wellbeing and gave me valuable exercises that I could do in my everyday life. It gave me more clarity about what I felt and needed, which in turn gave me more security and direction in what I thought was important. I became more and more curious about what Sofie did that was so important. One day I received a bookmark with the basic components of NVC. I quickly looked up what NVC was and 3 months later I started my first year programme.

Now 10 years later I am a certified trainer in NVC.
When I started practising NVC, I could not see at all that one day I would know NVC well enough to become a trainer, let alone certified. One of the aspects that has been invaluable in integrating these skills is continuous practice with others in groups. NVC is like learning a new language, and it takes time. The more we can be in a context or environment where others speak the same language, the easier it is to learn. If we have others to reflect and get support from, the opportunities for development and learning increase. If you practice with others and with a trainer, you will also have access to a range of exercises that highlight different aspects of consciousness development and nuances in the language, giving you an extra push to learn.

NVC is, among other things, about understanding how words contribute to contact or distance. Here you will find lists of words for feelings, emotions and needs (link to Resources) you can download to support your practice of words. With NVC, we also get a set of principles to support us to live a life of compassion, co-operation and authenticity. We gain a detailed insight into the inner processes that influence our lives. It is only when we recognise something, become aware, that we can really make changes in our lives. Otherwise, we will keep doing the same kind of behaviour over and over again.
Practicing these skills has become a way for me to have a better quality of life, better functioning relationships and to make meaningful choices.

Are you interested in training more with others?
On 4-5 May 2024, Amy Dyer and I will hold a course NVC Praktik - Practical Training Weekend in Nonviolent Communication on site in Stockholm. You can find more information under Calendar.

This autumn we also offer a 4-month training August - November 2024 on site in Stockholm for those who really want to get more time and support to integrate NVC. You can find more information under Calendar.