FROM THE ASSESSOR, Stephanie Bachmann Mattei

[EN] It is with great emotion and immense joy that I present Bintou as a Certified Trainer. Bintou met Marshall in 2006. Over the years, she was mentored by certifiers and trainers such as Anne Bourrit, Laurence Bruschweiler, and Josiane Seghieri, to name just a few, long before our paths crossed.

Since our meeting in Morocco in May 2024, Bintou and I have shared a rich and meaningful journey. I have been deeply touched by her spirituality, her unwavering commitment, and the quality of her Nonviolent Communication (NVC) practice. During her evaluation, many people highlighted her joy, her presence, and the richness of her humanity. I am sincerely inspired by the simplicity and clarity with which she shares NVC, as well as by her essential contribution to social change in Burkina Faso and far beyond.

[FR] C’est avec une grande émotion et une immense joie que je vous présente Bintou en tant que formatrice certifiée. Bintou a rencontré Marshall en 2006. Elle a été accompagnée, au fil des années, par des certificatrices et des formatrices tels que  Anne Bourrit, Laurence Bruschweiler, et Josiane Seghieri, pour n’en citer que quelques-unes, bien avant que nos chemins ne se croisent.

Depuis notre rencontre au Maroc en mai 2024, Bintou et moi avons parcouru un chemin riche et significatif ensemble.J’ai été profondément touchée par sa spiritualité, son engagement constant et la qualité de sa pratique de la CNV. Lors de son évaluation, nombreuses sont les personnes qui ont souligné sa joie, sa présence et la richesse de son humanité. Je suis sincèrement inspirée par la simplicité et la clarté avec lesquelles elle partage la CNV, ainsi que par sa contribution essentielle au changement social au Burkina Faso et bien au-delà.

From Yé Bintou:

[EN] From early childhood, my personal and professional journey has been marked by a constant awareness of how words, relational postures, and hierarchical systems impact human dignity. In 1998, a professional evaluation allowed me to experience firsthand the difference between a violent expression and a respectful one, conveying the same message. Later, faced with psychological harassment at work, reading Marshall Rosenberg's "Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life", and then immediately putting it into practice, transformed a highly tense situation.

I subsequently completed numerous training courses, participated in healing role-playing exercises, met Marshall Rosenberg at an International Training Institute (ITI) in 2006, and have been teaching Nonviolent Communication (NVC) since 2012 in various settings (practice groups, workshops, institutions, NGOs, and religious communities in West Africa).

[FR] Depuis ma petite enfance, mon parcours personnel et professionnel a été marqué par une attention constante à la manière dont les mots, les postures relationnelles et les systèmes hiérarchiques impactent la dignité humaine. En 1998, une expérience d’évaluation professionnelle m’a permis de vivre concrètement la différence entre une expression violente et une expression respectueuse, portant le même contenu.

Plus tard, confrontée à un harcèlement psychologique au travail, la lecture de Les mots sont des fenêtres (ou bien ce sont des murs) de Marshall Rosenberg, puis sa mise en pratique immédiate, a transformé une situation de forte tension relationnelle. J’ai ensuite suivi de nombreuses formations, participé à des jeux de rôle de guérison, rencontré Marshall Rosenberg lors d’un IIT en 2006, et transmis la CNV depuis 2012 dans différents contextes (groupes de pratique, ateliers, institutions, ONG, communautés religieuses en Afrique de l’Ouest).

FROM THE ASSESSOR, Sabine Geiger

I met Biraj many years ago during the India conventions. She was not very visible then. A lot of growth has happened since, and I am in awe of her resilience. Biraj has been an active member of the Delhi and the Indian Nonviolent Communication (NVC) community for over 15 years now. She has been consistent and committed to the practice and spread of NVC through her therapeutic practice as well as through trainings. It’s a joy to see her show up and stand up in her own power, especially in the past year.

I’m enjoying witnessing her take center stage and her growing self-confidence. She shows so much passion to bringing NVC to today’s world with all its violence, especially with the empathy circles called The Circle of Life every month that she leads for the Nonviolent Communication Trust in India, of which she is a founding member. I do believe her dedication and commitment to spreading NVC will add value to our global Certified Trainers community.

From Biraj:

My journey with Nonviolent Communication (NVC) began in 2010 when I first attended a practice group session in Delhi. With no prior knowledge of NVC or Marshall Rosenberg, I stepped into what my friends called a ‘magical process’. For me, that was the introduction as well as a deep-dive into the process. Within minutes, I found myself on a ‘dance floor’ with cards, engaging with the OFNR process. The issue I chose to explore resolved itself in my awareness almost immediately. I was amazed by the transformation. I was hooked on Nonviolent Communication.

Over the past fourteen years, my commitment to NVC has grown through trainings, IITs, conventions, and consistent practice. I have held space in practice groups, shared NVC through talks and workshops, and integrated its principles into my work as a therapist and counsellor. In 2020, I became a founding member of the NVC Trust in India with a commitment to nurture a non-violent world.

NVC has been integral to both my personal and professional growth. It has provided a grounding framework that has deepened my self-awareness. It aligns with what I have long sought: a psychological construct rooted in spirituality. My background in journalism with a focus on communication, my transition into counselling, and my work in hypnotherapy and healing all feel like steps that led me organically to NVC, where communication, empathy, and healing converge.

The Certification journey has been profoundly transformative for me. On the professional front, NVC has deepened my counselling practice, enabling me to offer a more empathetic presence to my clients. It has helped me guide my clients towards a clearer understanding about their feelings and needs. In my personal life, I see the change in myself from being a shy person afraid of public speaking, to a more confident one holding space in workshops and empathy groups with ease and comfort. I am more self-aware and able to connect with, honour, and express my needs. This personal empowerment enables me to contribute to my larger purpose to hold spaces for social healing − by holding grief circles and empathy circles and holding community dialogues to bring about systemic change.

I wish to acknowledge with gratitude my Assessor, Sabine Geiger, and my mentor, Sudha Shankar, for their guidance, clarity, and support along my journey, and Father Christlin Rajendram for believing in me. I also extend heartfelt thanks to my fellow travellers on the certification path, whose companionship and encouragement have been invaluable.

As I move forward, I carry with me a commitment to living and sharing the consciousness of NVC − in my personal and professional relationships, in my work as a therapist and in my role as an engaged citizen of the world. My work is guided by the philosophy of ‘Ubuntu – I am because we are’. It is from this inter-connectedness that I find my purpose: to nurture a nonviolent world.

FROM THE ASSESSOR, Sabine Geiger

I met Deepankar many years ago during the India conventions. From the first time we connected, I have been impressed by his inquisitive mind and his capacity to see the larger picture. Creating and working in a community, especially during the Certification Process, has been a strong value for him.

Deepankar has a huge heart and seems to always be open to supporting others with his wisdom. He has been working with people in organizations very effectively for decades and focused on adding (visible) softness to his presence and competency. While there still might be moments of directness, it has been such a pleasure to accompany Deepankar on his path to showing more of his gentleness. With his systemic view and competency of being with people, I trust that he will be an asset to our Certified Trainers community.

From Deepankar:

I have been engaged with Nonviolent Communication (NVC) since 2010, when I participated in a workshop with L’aura Joy and Saleem Ebrahim. When I looked at and experienced the trainers in NVC (about 30 of them), I could figure out that at least seven out of ten trainers knew what they were talking about, that is, they were well-steeped in the theory, practice, and consciousness of NVC. They lived their stuff. This piqued my curiosity. What would possibly be the system and processes that churn out trainers consistently of a fairly high degree of quality? That’s how I got interested in the Certification Process of the Centre for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC).

I have been on the certification track since 2017. Fifteen years of association with NVC and about eight with the Certification Process itself. This journey has been both rewarding and, at times, disappointing. Rewarding, because it met my needs for learning, growth, collaboration, and contribution. Disappointing, at times, when it did not meet my needs for professional competence and colleagueship. I wasn’t in the habit of journaling. Devoting attention to journaling did stimulate insights and a need to look at some depth at my feelings and needs, and the nature of requests I needed to make to myself as well as people around me to make life more meaningful for all concerned.

from the Assessor, Johannes Henn

[EN] I am very happy to introduce Robin today to the community of Certified Trainers. He has successfully completed the Certification Process, and I experience him as a young colleague who has walked this path with great presence and a strong willingness to learn.

Accompanying Robin has been a nourishing experience for me. In our encounters, I repeatedly experienced him receiving feedback and support as invitations to learning. When something was unclear to him, he asked with openness and genuine interest—guided by curiosity and a desire for understanding.

I was particularly touched to witness how, over time, Robin has grown increasingly into his own self-trust. He has found a personal and coherent way of passing on Nonviolent Communication, while remaining connected to himself. I experience this authenticity as a significant resource in his work.

In his personal life as well, Robin is closely connected to Nonviolent Communication (NVC). He is married to the daughter of my valued colleague Marianne, which gives me an additional sense of trust—in the depth with which he lives NVC and in the responsibility with which he carries it forward. I am grateful and very happy that Robin is now part of our community as a Certified Trainer and that he brings Nonviolent Communication into the world with commitment and heart.

[DE] Ich freue mich sehr, euch heute Robin in der Gemeinschaft der zertifizierten Trainer*innen vorzustellen. Er hat den Zertifizierungsprozess erfolgreich abgeschlossen, und ich erlebe ihn als einen jungen Kollegen, der diesen Weg mit großer Präsenz und Lernbereitschaft gegangen ist.

Robin zu begleiten war für mich eine bereichernde Erfahrung. In unseren Begegnungen habe ich ihn immer wieder so erlebt, dass er Rückmeldungen und Unterstützung als Einladung zum Lernen angenommen hat. Wenn ihm etwas unklar war, hat er interessiert und offen nachgefragt, – getragen von Neugier und dem Wunsch nach Verstehen.

Besonders berührt hat mich zu sehen, wie Robin im Laufe der Zeit zunehmend in sein eigenes Selbstvertrauen hineingewachsen ist. Er hat einen eigenen, stimmigen Weg gefunden, die GFK weiterzugeben, und ist dabei in Verbindung mit sich selbst geblieben. Diese Authentizität erlebe ich als eine große Ressource in seiner Arbeit.

Auch in seinem privaten Leben ist Robin eng mit der GFK verbunden. Er ist mit der Tochter meiner geschätzten Kollegin Marianne verheiratet, was mir zusätzlich ein Gefühl von Vertrauen schenkt – in die Tiefe, mit der er die GFK lebt, und in die Verantwortung, mit der er sie weiterträgt. Ich bin dankbar und freue mich sehr, dass Robin nun als zertifizierter Trainer Teil unserer Gemeinschaft ist und die Gewaltfreie Kommunikation mit Engagement und Herz in die Welt bringt.

from Robin:

My Nonviolent Communication (NVC) journey began at the age of 18, at the end of my school days, during a time of great change. For many years, I practiced NVC mainly for myself. It was largely about connecting with myself and starting to love myself. My Certification Process was also about building self-confidence, realizing that I have something to offer and that I am a valuable member of the community.

Now, at the end of the Certification Process, I feel clearly that I am okay the way I am. For me, this is one of the great gifts of NVC, which I now want to share with the world. For me, the certification is more of a beginning than an end. Now I have a great desire to share NVC and help people love themselves. I am particularly interested in working with younger people, as at 31 I still consider myself one of the younger trainers 😉. I celebrate being part of a community where we work together to make the world a more beautiful place.

from the Assessor, Ian Peatey

Dani works as an educator in a Nonviolent Communication (NVC) school in Romania, working with teenagers. I have been inspired by her dedication to living NVC day by day with the children, as well as bringing NVC to the parents and to the wider network of educators in Romania and beyond. Personally, I have found her to be unusually aware of her learning edges and striving to grow through them. She is active in the Romanian NVC community, and I am delighted to welcome her as a colleague.

from Daniela:

The certification path has been an intense and rewarding journey at the same time. It has offered me a rich environment to meet five of my most important needs at this stage of my life: learning, growth/transformation, connection, inspiration, and contribution. The final Certification Process mirrored my previous experiences: filled with deep connection and delicious moments of celebration, joy, and enthusiasm, while simultaneously holding intense moments of tension and uncertainty. I lived this balance of states consciously in each moment.

Beyond the activities required to be facilitated and sustained by me as a candidate in the final step, one proved to be truly transformational. The Challenging Dialogue - which I had as a private session with one of the Assessors - turned out to be "healing" for me. I dissolved an enemy image at a profound level, and I could easily say it was truly magical. Truly connecting with my needs has allowed me to see the experiences of my life under a different "light." I have shaped stories and been able to rewrite my own story and the experiences that have formed, polished, and sculpted me into the woman I am today.

I feel moved to write that now I understand and feel what Marshall meant by the phrase "give from the heart." Listening to my heart with attention and dedication has become part of me, and somehow, I choose to learn with my heart in order to educate and cultivate my mind. Thus, the journey and process of certification became about discovering myself in such an authentic and vulnerable form that I could never have imagined or anticipated with my mind. My heart was a sensational guide in this process for me.

FROM THE ASSESSOR, Vivet Alevi

[EN] I met Csilla at the Mentoring Assessment Days (MAD) in June 2023. She was the first candidate and her partner, Sascha Poller, to whom I said yes without knowing them before. I have been working with Csilla & Sascha Poller as their Assessor since 2023, and we have been in regular contact about their learning in teaching, living, and knowing Nonviolent Communication (NVC). During several mentoring and assessment days (3 days each), Sascha was supported in his process with 360-degree feedback by my team members Johannes Henn and Marianne Sikor, and our community of Certification Candidates.

Csilla was born in Hungary and lives in Germany. She wants to be active internationally as well as in her native language. She described her vision as “spreading NVC across national borders and connecting people in education, family, and community, creating spaces where empathy can be felt, needs can be seen and understood, and where encounters on equal terms are possible.” She sees her strength as adapting her language to people in order to reach them more effectively.

Since our first meeting, I was touched by Csilla’s openness and curiosity, by her willingness to learn and grow, and her ability to make radical changes in her personal and professional life with veracity and unaffected honesty. My trust grew vast when Csilla received my feedback that was hard to hear. I felt a sense of release that gave me the confidence that she will keep to learn and deepen her skills. The most rewarding part is her awareness of her areas for growth, her ability to stay with it, keep working on it, and her strength to immediately implement what she has learned, and to celebrate with joy.

During the celebration ritual at the MAD in December 2025, where we, as the certification community, shared our mutual agreement to her certification, I was deeply touched when she said that she had learnt the most about NVC, and especially about unconditional love, from her three children. She has been engaged in and supported many networking and NVC activities, such as serving on the board of the NVC Association Hamburg and co-creating training programmes for educators in a school context.

I am impressed by her clarity. her immense energy and the clarity and competence in instruction, efficiency and reliability, her ability to take charge and provide guidance, and her capacity to open up space with creative power. She inspires cooperation, collaboration, and networking, as well as keeping track of resources and sharing them.

I will borrow the words of her partner, Sascha: “She leads with love — loving leadership”. And let's not forget her sense of humour! Welcome to the international community of Certified Trainers.

[DE] Mit großer Freude empfehle ich Csilla zur Zertifizierung. Ich habe Csilla Juni 2023 bei MAD kennengelernt. Sie war die erste Kandidatin, zu der ich als Assessorin Ja gesagt habe, ohne sie vorher zu kennen.

Sie ist in Ungarn geboren und lebt in Deutschland. Sie möchte international sowie in ihrer Muttersprache aktiv sein. Sie beschrieb ihre Vision; “GFK über Landesgrenzen hinweg zu verbreiten und Menschen in Bildung, Familie und Gemeinschaft zu verbinden, Räume schaffen, in denen Empathie spürbar werden, Bedürfnisse gesehen und verstanden werden und in denen Begegnungen auf Augenhöhe möglich sind. Ihre Stärke sieht sie, ihre Sprache den Menschen anzupassen, um sie mehr zu erreichen.

Seit unserem ersten Treffen war ich beeindruckt von Csilla’s Offenheit und Neugier, von ihrer Bereitschaft, zu lernen und zu wachsen, und von ihrer Fähigkeit, radikale Veränderungen in ihrem persönlichen und beruflichen Leben mit Aufrichtigkeit und ungekünstelter Ehrlichkeit vorzunehmen. Mein Vertrauen wuchs enorm, als Csilla mein Feedback annahm, das schwer zu hören war. Ich verspürte eine Erleichterung, die mir das Vertrauen gab, dass sie weiter lernen und ihre Fähigkeiten vertiefen wird. Der lohnendste Teil zu sein scheint, ihr Bewusstsein für ihre Wachstumsbereiche, ihre Fähigkeit, dranzubleiben, weiter daran zu arbeiten, und ihre Stärke, das Gelernte sofort umzusetzen und mit Freude zu feiern.

Während des Ritual zu ihrem Assessment im MAT im Dezember 2025, bei dem wir als Zertifizierungsgemeinschaft unsere gemeinschaftliche JA zu ihrer Zertifizierung zum Ausdruck brachten, war ich tief bewegt, als sie sagte, dass sie am meisten über GFK und insbesondere über bedingungslose Liebe von ihren drei Kindern gelernt habe.

Sie hat sich in vielen Netzwerkaktivitäten der Gewaltfreien Kommunikation engagiert und diese unterstützt, beispielsweise durch ihre Tätigkeit im Vorstand des Verbandes Gewaltfreie Kommunikation Hamburg und die Mitgestaltung von Schulungen für Pädagogen und den schulischen Kontext.

Ich bin beeindruckt von ihrer Klarheit, Effizienz und Zuverlässigkeit, ihrer Fähigkeit, Verantwortung zu übernehmen und Orientierung zu geben, sowie ihrer Fähigkeit, mit kreativer Kraft Raum zu schaffen. Sie inspiriert zu Zusammenarbeit, Kooperation und Vernetzung und sorgt dafür, dass Ressourcen im Blick behalten und geteilt werden.

Ich leihe mir die Worte ihres Partners Sascha: „Sie führt mit Liebe –Liebevolle Führung– “. Und vergessen wir nicht ihren Sinn für Humor! Herzlich willkommen in der internationale Gemeinschaft der zertifizierte Trainer*n

From Csilla:

My journey with Nonviolent Communication (NVC) began in 2016 with a moment that changed everything. I came home one afternoon to find shoes and school bags scattered across the hallway. My first reaction was to yell at my children - "What is this mess?" My second reaction was shock: Did I really want to meet my children this way after not seeing them all day? My answer was clear: NO. That's when I began searching for a different way. I had first heard about Nonviolent Communication during a de-escalation management training.

Since then, I have experienced many highs and lows with NVC. My life has changed fundamentally. NVC is present in my daily life, especially through my partnership with Sascha Poller, and we were certified together in December 2025.

I have learned what it means to be at eye level with others. How important it is to keep everyone's needs in view. This is how deep connections can arise, even in silence. Empathy doesn't always need words. Sometimes, a touch or eye contact is enough. I have learned so much from many NVC trainers, and equally as much from my children. They show me the mirror when I am not in connection with them or with myself.

My pedagogical background and many years of leadership experience in after-school programs in Hamburg have shown me how much pain and suffering children and young people must endure - in families, daycare centers, schools, and peer groups. My passion lies in strengthening adults to look more closely without losing themselves in the process. This is where NVC can open spaces where a genuine encounter becomes possible.

I was born in Hungary, and my roots are important to me. As part of the CNVC community, I want to be active there as well and share Nonviolent Communication in my country of origin. Carrying NVC across borders - that is part of my vision.

FROM THE ASSESSOR, Vivet Alevi

[EN] Sascha registered with me in 2022, and we have been in regular contact regarding his learning in teaching, living, and knowing Nonviolent Communication (NVC). During the mentoring and assessment days, each lasting three days, Sascha received 360-degree feedback to support his process from my team members Johannes Henn and Marianne Sikor, as well as from our community of Certification Candidates. He has strong connections within various NVC circles and collaborates closely with different groups.

What impressed me from the very beginning of our journey together was Sascha’s enthusiasm for thinking about systems and engaging in decision-making and participation in group processes. On several occasions, he chose to express himself honestly, even when it was difficult, in order to maintain his integrity. I consistently experienced him as an empathetic listener and recognized his desire for connection. This created a bond of trust between us.

Thanks to his experience as a manager in a large technical company, Sascha is well-positioned to spark interest in NVC. He also lives NVC in his relationship with Csilla Kling. Together, they offer NVC trainings for institutions to promote awareness of needs and connection. I value this as a meaningful contribution to social change.

Sascha maintains strong connections within the Hamburg NVC network. He is connected to various NVC circles and enjoys working with groups. He is interested in international cooperation and, for example, is involved in a project in Colombia to provide mutual support and promote cultural exchange. His networking activities are concrete steps toward living and sharing his vision of deeper mutual understanding. I am delighted to welcome him to the international community of Certified Trainers. Welcome, Sascha!

[DE] Es ist mir eine Freude, Sascha zur Zertifizierung zu empfehlen. Sascha ist seit 2022 bei mir registriert, und wir stehen in regelmäßigem Kontakt über sein Lernen in Bezug auf das Lehren, Leben und Wissen der Gewaltfreien Kommunikation (GFK). Während vieler Mentoring- und Assessmenttage, jeweils über drei Tage, wurde Sascha in seinem Prozess durch 360-Grad-Feedback von meinen Teammitgliedern Johannes Henn und Marianne Sikor sowie durch unsere Gemeinschaft von Zertifizierungskandidaten unterstützt.

Was mich von Beginn unserer gemeinsamen Reise an beeindruckt hat, war Saschas Freude daran, über Systeme nachzudenken und sich mit Entscheidungsfindung sowie der Teilnahme an Gruppenprozessen auseinanderzusetzen. Mehrfach entschied er sich für einen ehrlichen Selbstausdruck, auch wenn es schwierig war, dabei für seine Integrität zu sorgen. Ich habe ihn dabei stets als empathisch hörend erlebt und seinen Wunsch nach Verbindung deutlich wahrgenommen. Dadurch entstand ein Band des Vertrauens zwischen uns.

Sascha bringt durch seine Erfahrung als Führungskraft in einem großen technischen Unternehmen günstige Voraussetzungen mit, um Menschen für GFK zu interessieren. Darüber hinaus lebt er GFK in seiner Partnerschaft mit Csilla Kling. Gemeinsam bieten sie GFK-Trainings für Institutionen an, um ein Bewusstsein für Bedürfnisse und Verbindung zu fördern. Ich schätze dies als einen bedeutenden Beitrag zum sozialen Wandel.

Er pflegt die Verbindungen im Hamburger GFK-Netzwerk. Er ist in verschiedenen GFK-Kreisen vernetzt und arbeitet gerne mit Gruppen zusammen. Er interessiert sich für internationale Kooperationen und arbeitet beispielsweise an einem Projekt in Kolumbien mit, um gegenseitige Unterstützung und kulturellen Austausch zu fördern. Seine Netzwerkaktivitäten sind konkrete Ansätze, um seine Vision eines tieferen gegenseitigen Verstehens zu leben und weiterzugeben. Ich freue mich sehr, ihn in der internationalen Gemeinschaft zertifizierter Trainer willkommen zu heißen. Herzlich willkommen, Sascha!

From Sascha:

My first encounter with Nonviolent Communication (NVC) was in 2015 during a leadership seminar. What initially drew me in was a sense of curiosity combined with the impression that this approach addressed questions I had been carrying for some time, both personally and professionally. I began to study Marshall Rosenberg’s books in depth, approaching NVC primarily from an intellectual perspective. At the same time, I sensed that NVC offered more than a conceptual framework and invited a deeper shift in how I relate to myself and others.

Gradually, my engagement with NVC opened a new way of relating to myself. I started to notice what was alive in me with increasing clarity. At first, this awareness was largely based on reflection and understanding. Over time, it became more embodied, allowing me to listen inwardly with greater openness and presence. This process supported me in recognizing my feelings and needs more clearly and in taking responsibility for them in everyday life.

From 2018 onwards, I attended seminars regularly as a way to deepen my practice and learning. A particularly formative step on my path was my training with Eva Ebenhöh and Inken Gritto. Through their guidance, my understanding of empathy, self-empathy, and connection on a needs-based level grew significantly. I learned to meet others with greater curiosity and openness, to stay present in dialogue, and to remain connected even in moments of tension. Equally important was my growing ability to receive empathy, which strengthened my trust in mutual understanding as a lived experience rather than an abstract concept.

In my everyday life, NVC became deeply integrated through the great fortune of being in a partnership with Csilla Kling that supports this practice. Learning and growing together, meeting each other at eye level, supporting one another, and showing compassion for everything that is human has been a central part of my learning. She is my greatest teacher in living an NVC consciousness.

Participating in International Intensive Trainings in Hungary and Slovenia further enriched my journey. Encountering trainers such as Michael Dillo, Eva Rambala, Frank Gaschler, Liv Larsson, and Dmitriy Kopina exposed me to diverse ways of living and sharing NVC. These experiences helped me integrate NVC more deeply into my life and clarified my intention to embark on the CNVC certification path as a meaningful step in aligning personal practice, teaching, and contribution.

FROM THE ASSESSOR, Susanna Warren

It has been a pleasure working with Lisa over the last three years. I've seen her deepen her self-empathy and empathy practices in a way that is grounded in presence and love. As well as cultivate the ability to speak from the heart with authentic self-expression. Her ability to live the consciousness of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), her willingness to be a lifelong learner, and her enthusiasm and skill to share NVC have grown to heights where I feel a great deal of confidence that she is making a powerful impact in the world. It has been a delight to accompany Lisa on her journey to certification.

From Lisa:

In 2018, while straightening up an employer’s library, I happened upon Marshall Rosenberg’s book Living Nonviolent Communication: Practical Tools to Connect and Communicate Skillfully in Every Situation. Flipping through the pages, I read phrases like “heartfelt connection,” “connecting to our inner divinity,” and “what is alive in us moment to moment.” I was stunned. Despite holding a Bachelor of Arts in English, these simple ideas felt like an entirely new language. In that moment, I committed to learning and living Nonviolent Communication—and eventually sharing it. My life has not been the same since.

Part of me resisted the certification path at first, but my passion for authentic connection made it feel inevitable. I was initially confused by the acronyms, pods, and the uniquely organic structure of the process, and wondered, “Where is the checklist?” I smile now, recognizing how deeply empowering the process has been in cultivating trust in myself.

I relished every training I attended—many and wonderfully diverse. I learned first from first-generation trainers Sylvia Haskvitz, Rita Herzog, Michael Dillo, and Allan Rohlfs, and later from Sarah Peyton, John Kinyon, Miki Kashtan, Roxy Manning, Mary Mackenzie, Kristin Masters, Carlene Maginnis, Ella LaSharde, and Stephanie Bachman Mattei. I hold a special place in my heart for Jim and Jori Manke, whose commitment to accessibility made training possible for so many, including myself. Each session with them left me feeling included, cared for, and genuinely valued.

FROM THE ASSESSOR, Valerie Lanctôt-Bédard

[EN] It is with great joy that I introduce Jacinthe as a Certified Trainer. She is one of the few people who came to Nonviolent Communication (NVC) with a rich spiritual background and who, while allowing herself to fully ground herself in her relationships and in a dialogical posture, has managed to maintain her Great Inspiration, her vision of humanity in all its nobility and natural goodness. I also celebrate her courage as a trainer, embarking on extraordinary adventures without losing relevance! Furthermore, her courage to stand by her truth, even in the face of great adversity, is a powerful model of authenticity. In appreciation of the complicity with my co-assessor, Marcelle Bélanger.

[FR] C’est avec grande joie que je présente Jacinthe comme formatrice certifiée. Elle est une des rares personnes qui est arrivée en CNV avec un bagage spirituel bien étoffé et qui, tout en se permettant d’atterrir pleinement dans ses relations et dans la posture dialogique, a su maintenir sa Grande Inspiration, sa vision de l’humain dans toute sa noblesse et sa bonté naturelle. Je célèbre également son courage comme formatrice, se lançant dans des aventures hors de l’ordinaire sans perdre en pertinence! Aussi, son courage de se tenir dans sa vérité, même dans beaucoup d’adversité, est un puissant modèle d'authenticité. Dans l’appréciation de la complicité avec ma co-certificatrice, Marcelle Bélanger.

From Jacinthe:

[EN] Welcome! Welcome the other with compassion, regardless of the context. Welcome my doubts, judgments, fears, and so many others, until each can be seen and heard. Freedom! Freedom in this inner safety, where the great trust in Life carries me. Living with safety, trust, and peace, despite external events. Feeling free, no matter the place and the circumstances. Offering this space of freedom to the other, without imposing myself, by welcoming them in their total uniqueness.

Love, love the other despite their judgments and criticisms, despite their remarks and actions. Learn to love myself, love my own judgments, accept my blame and demands; love the shame and guilt that visit me, embrace my shadows and my light, love all of myself. While searching for how to live this, I encountered Nonviolent Communication (NVC), and I dove in. I said "yes" for myself and for others, with the conviction that by walking the path of awareness and liberation, I was doing what was best for myself, for my loved ones, and for my contribution to humanity. For a little over four years, Marshall's teachings have been shaping my inner self and allowing me to experience more Love.

[FR] Accueillir! Accueillir l’autre avec compassion, peu importe le contexte. Accueillir mes parts de doute, de jugement, de peur, et tant d’autres, jusqu’à ce que chacune puisse être vue et entendue. Liberté! Liberté dans cette sécurité intérieure où la grande confiance en la Vie me porte. Vivre la sécurité, la confiance et la paix, malgré les événements extérieurs. Me sentir libre, peu importe l’endroit et les circonstances. Offrir cet espace de liberté à l’autre, sans m’imposer, en l’accueillant dans sa totale unicité.

Aimer, aimer l’autre malgré ses jugements et ses critiques, malgré ses remarques et ses actions. Apprendre à m’aimer, aimer mes propres jugements, accueillir mes blâmes, mes exigences ; aimer la honte et la culpabilité qui me visitent, embrasser mes ombres et ma lumière, aimer tout de moi. Alors que je cherchais comment vivre cela, j’ai rencontré la CNV et j’ai plongé. J’ai dit « oui » pour moi et pour les autres, avec la conviction qu’en marchant le chemin de la conscience et de la libération, j’accomplissais ce qu’il y avait de mieux pour moi, pour mes proches et pour ma contribution à l’humanité. Depuis un peu plus de quatre ans, les enseignements de Marshall façonnent mon intériorité et me permettent de toucher à plus d’Amour.

from the assessor, Marcelle Belanger

[EN] I celebrate how far Nancy has come over the last ten years! Nancy is a determined and dedicated person in everything she does. She has a deep love for people and for children. She is committed and demonstrates an ability to embody and live the process in the various contexts of her life. Her presence, dynamism, and zest of life contribute to creating a safe space and establishing bonds of trust with people. Throughout her journey, I was accompanied by my co-assessor, Valérie Lanctot- Bédard, who is also celebrating Nancy's certification.

[FR] Nancy Rouillard nouvelle formatrice certifiée Je suis enthousiaste à l'idée de recommander Nancy Rouillard pour rejoindre la communauté des formateurs et formatrices certifié(e)s. Je célèbre tout le chemin qu'elle a parcouru au cours des dix dernières années ! Nancy est une personne déterminée et dévouée dans tout ce qu'elle entreprend. Elle a un amour profond pour l'humain et pour les enfants. Elle est engagée et démontre une capacité à incarner et à vivre le processus dans les divers contextes de sa vie. Sa présence, son dynamisme et sa joie de vivre contribuent à créer un espace. sécuritaire et à établir des liens de confiance. Tout au long de son parcours, j'ai été accompagnée de ma coévaluatrice Valérie Lanctot-Bédard, qui célèbre également la certification de Nancy.

from Nancy:

[EN] My Journey: From Integration to Embodiment

My journey with Nonviolent Communication (NVC) began in 2015 with Conscientia, marking the start of a decade of transformation. I strengthened these foundations through three intensive years within their integration program, followed by specialized training in mediation (1 year) and individual support (2 years).

An experience grounded in real-life practice…

Beyond theory, my practice has been shaped at the heart of human experience:

• Facilitation and transmission: I facilitated introductory workshops in community settings for two years and collaborated for one year with Jacinthe Thériault-Fortier to offer spaces for deeper practice.
• Community mediation: One year dedicated to supporting dialogue within the community.
• The school of life (Foster family): For the past 20 years, my role as a foster family has been my greatest laboratory. Navigating between the needs of children, the demands of professionals, and the limits of the governmental system has required me to practice an authentic “street giraffe.”

The evolution toward authenticity

My path has been marked by challenges that are now at the heart of my teaching: learning to recognize my blind spots, accepting my limits with self-compassion, and daring to assert myself without sacrificing connection.

Today, my quest is one of perseverance in balance. I strive to maintain a natural and fluid communication, capable of holding steady even in the midst of storms—whether personal, familial, or professional. It is this resilience and this humanity, with all its imperfections, that I wish to share.

[FR] Mon Parcours : De l'intégration à l'incarnation