Using Therapeutic Communication to Connect with Patients

Often patients need enough emotional space to reduce any inner stuckness in their situation. They need to do this before they can adequately absorb information or effectively take next steps. Empathy can help with this. Empathy requires an intention to connect non-judgmentally. This gets better with practice. Read on for examples of how a situation can play out with, and without, empathy. And...

How to Use NVC with Talkative Friends

Creating Productive Group Gatherings

the group, try saying this: “I’m confused about what you would like from us. Would you help us clarify what kind of a response you’re looking for?” Be aware of when you are not clear about your requests in group settings today. This trainer tip is an excerpt from Mary Mackenzie's book, Peaceful Living, available from PuddleDancer Press. Keywords: meeting gathering efficient clarification Mary...

Past Stories, Present Feelings

will be limited (two, 2-hour sessions at a maximum) and we have our current state of working together to sort out. Any advice on how I can translate the past pain in present feelings, needs and requests? —Anonymous Trainer Answer Dear Anonymous, I have heard people quoting Marshall Rosenberg with comments like the following: "Going back to past stories does not help. Stay in the present." My...

Transforming Painful Patterns

…;” or “I am telling myself that…;” or “I am seeing myself doing…;” or “I just noticed that I did it (again).” Preparing yourself in advance to various stages of dealing with the pattern (self requests): For those times that you catch yourself IN IT, think of questions to ask yourself, regarding the choice, such as “Am I operating out of choice or habit?” “Do I want to go on, or find a way to...

Developing Compassion for Humans, Animals and All Life

body’s emotional resonance contributes to guessing the feelings and needs of others. Developing a practice of empathy for ourselves and other human beings is also imperative. Part 3: Transpecies Requests Building upon your sense of community and support in this class, we now turn to looking at how our relationships with other species consist of violence, oppression and demands. We realize that...

What’s Important to You?

a copy of "their needs list" — participants are often delighted with their own creativity. Keywords: empathy exercises/practices expression feelings honesty needs observation Practice Group requests connection inspiration personal growth groups teaching NVC renewal and vitality universal human needs Penny Wassman

Speaking Classical Giraffe

Stage 3: You develop skills in NVC, and intentionally and deliberately use NVC language with others. Although you "do it right" by expressing your observations, feelings, needs and requests — and also reflect back other people's feelings and needs to them — you find that your efforts are often received as phony or inauthentic by others. Stage 4: You have internalized the intentionality and...

Meeting Our Need for Trust

What matters is whether my need for trust is met. I don’t have to blame other people and think of them as liars. I only have to focus on whether my needs are met. If they aren’t, I make specific requests to meet my needs, while also respecting the other person’s needs. This shift in focus has dramatically improved my relationships Be aware today of times when your need for trust is not met and...

Moving Beyond Needs as Met or Unmet

to resist a request made from this stance. Instead, here are practices to increasingly losen any remaining attachment or demand energy -- and open our hearts to ourselves and others while we make requests. See this article Keywords: needs unmet needs practices demand attachment blame Peggy Smith