About the Program

When family interactions repeatedly lead to a heavy sense of exhaustion, misunderstanding, or distance, finding a return to ease and peace can feel out of reach. This program offers a practical pathway out of these communication bottlenecks. By anchoring yourself in Nonviolent Communication (NVC), you will learn to navigate tense moments with more clarity and centered presence. Because every family dynamic is different, this program pairs collaborative group learning with a 1-on-1 private coaching session, providing you with real-world skills and tools that you can directly apply to your specific everyday relationships.

Who Is This For

Anyone seeking to cultivate NVC skills for family relationships that you care about, whether with a partner, children, parents, or any other relationships in your life.

Program Overview

• 4 Group Workshops: 4 weekly 2-hour in-person sessions integrating NVC theory with practical application, featuring group discussions, breakout practices, role-plays, etc.
• 1 Zoom-based Private Coaching Session: A 1-hour confidential session with Julia, shaped by your personal needs and situation. This session not only offers you direct, tailored support, but also enables Julia to fine-tune the program to better serve your needs, under strict confidentiality.

Weekly Themes

Week 1: Self-Empathy — Finding Your Inner Space
When family dynamics stimulate heavy emotions or stir up a strong urge to react, staying grounded can feel impossible. In this session, we dive deep into the "zero-step" of NVC: learning how to slow down and create a warm space within ourselves to gently care for our own experience. We will practice how to pause and acknowledge our raw feelings, explore what really matters underneath, and feel the spaciousness that comes with acknowledging our needs. This grounding practice builds the vital foundation needed to navigate family situations with clarity and ease.

Week 2: Hearing "No" and Receiving Feedback
When family members say "No," push back, or say things that leave us feeling uncomfortable, staying engaged without reacting can be incredibly difficult. In this session, we focus on what it takes to hold your center in those tense moments, so you can receive challenging words without instantly going into defense mode or checking out. We will practice how to listen through what is said to understand what the other person is genuinely trying to express underneath. This session helps you unlock the inner presence needed to navigate frictions, keeping the conversation moving forward instead of getting stuck in the blaming-defending game.

Week 3: How to Say "No" and Share Constructive Feedback
Saying "No" or sharing constructive feedback in family relationships can feel uncomfortable, often leaving us caught between hiding our true feelings to avoid conflict or expressing them in ways that push others away. In this session, we will practice how to be real about what is true for us when we decline a request or request a change, while keeping the conversation open and connected. We will practice checking in to see how our message actually lands with others, allowing you to honor your own space while holding space for the other person.

Week 4: Opening a New Pathway Beyond Old Patterns
When family conversations repeatedly lead to the same dead-ends, interactions simply run on a loop. In this final session, we will bring together what we have learned to approach these moments differently, focusing on the active state of connection between you and your family members. We will practice how to remain closely attentive to where others stand while creating space to check whether a bridge can be built. This exploration allows you to discover new ways to move toward mutual understanding, keeping the door open for genuine relationship possibilities.

Facilitator
Julia Shen
CNVC Certified NVC Trainer | NVC-based Mediator

Date & Time

• 4 Group Workshops: Jan 10, 24, 31, and Feb 7 (1:30–3:30 PM)
• 1 Private Session: Scheduled individually

Investment
Register before Nov 30: $400+HST
Register on and after Dec 1: $435+HST
(Includes 4 weekly live workshops and 1 private Zoom coaching session.)

Financial Accessibility
Financial circumstances can vary greatly at different times in our lives. A limited number of partial financial-aid spaces may be available for individuals who are deeply committed to learning NVC but experiencing financial challenges. If you would like to apply on a case-by-case basis, please reach out to Julia via the contact form to check for availability.

Space is limited to 8 participants.