Image

Browse by Topic

NVC Resources on Empathy

Advanced Search
  1. When supporting someone with less privilege, first check with them how you can support.  If you're reacting more strongly to their undesirable experience than they are, this then shifts the dynamic so that they're setting aside what they want to attend to your feelings and needs - this may become work that they didn't sign up for.  Read on for what to do instead to support more equity.

  2. Written Check-in and Self Connection Exercise

    Written Check-in and Self Connection Exercise

    Jim & Jori Manske

    Trainer Tips · 1 - 2 minutes · 12/25/2020

    Trainer Tip: Tap into feelings, needs and requests for greater self connection with the six steps in this worksheet.

  3. Sometimes I Can’t Get Past My Judgments

    Sometimes I Can’t Get Past My Judgments

    Mary Mackenzie

    Trainer Tips · 1 - 2 minutes · 8/4/2022

    Trainer Tip: Whether we listen to our own or the other person’s needs first, connecting to needs can help us release judgments of others, see their humanness, help us to begin to hear them and ultimately connect to them. Be aware today of times when you are judging someone. Then be aware of your own needs to improve your connection to them.

  4. Because we affect one another it can be hard to know where to take responsibility and where to leave it with the other person. This means we need self empathy, and presence for another's struggles without compulsion to "make them happy" or bring them healthy change. You can then attend to the needs and to your choice about if and how you want to contribute with compassion. Respect them as autonomously in charge of their unique process of change. With this, you honor your life and theirs. And where, what, and how you will invest your precious life energy.

  5. Finding Your Way from Judgment to Discernment

    Finding Your Way from Judgment to Discernment

    Elia Lowe-Chardé

    Practice Exercises · 2 - 4 minutes · 01/01/2024

    Judgment is an attempt to protect from hopelessness or insecurity, at high cost. Instead, check in with fear, grief, or hurt. Then wonder what needs are at stake for everyone. This makes space for grief instead of anger, for negotiation rather than control, and for "calling in" rather than excluding. Wonder: “For whom would this be life-serving or not?”, “What strategies would care for all needs?” or, “What can I contribute now?”

  6. Nonviolent Communication Basics

    Nonviolent Communication Basics

    David Weinstock

    Articles · 4 - 6 minutes · 3/31/2021

    Here are some very basic forms and distinctions of NVC. It covers the 4 D's, OFNR, some NVC distinctions, tips, quotes from Marshall Rosenberg, and "feelings and needs" lists, and more. As with any art, these rudiments necessarily must be learned, practiced, understood, embodied and then let go of so as not to become rote and block creativity.

  7. Grounded Responses for Challenging Comments

    Grounded Responses for Challenging Comments

    Elia Lowe-Chardé

    Articles · 3 - 5 minutes · 4/3/2021

    When someone responds with painful sarcasm, criticism, or dismissal you can respond with empathy, or with clarity about your intention, need and request. If you're unable to do this, later you can privately write what they said, identify the feelings and needs of both of you, then write possible responses. This can help you remember to stay with your intention and what’s true for you without getting caught in defensiveness or reactivity.

  8. How to Meet Hurt and Pain From the Past

    How to Meet Hurt and Pain From the Past

    Elia Lowe-Chardé

    Articles · 2 - 4 minutes · 7/29/2021

    Past hurt and pain can get triggered even when it doesn't have much to do with the present. When that happens we can gain perspective by self reflecting, engaging self empathy, grounding an "anchor", noticing the present-moment safety, naming needs and making requests.

  9. When someone doesn't want to talk some options include releasing your attachment to the strategy you want, asking about and affirming with empathy their reasons for not talking, looking for what support could be helpful to shift to more openness, letting go, and grieving. Read on for more on this, including possible reasons for why they might not want to engage on it.

  10. Join Aya Caspi, a Certified NVC Trainer, as she delves into the difficult topic of parenting, childhood trauma, and social status. She discusses the generational impact of being labeled by society as "less than" or subservient. The wounds of childhood trauma can be healed so they no longer are a means of control by a dominant culture.

NVCAcademy Logo

Subscription Preferences

Stay In Touch!

Looking for ways to keep up with NVC Academy news, get special offers, free resources, or words of inspiration? Here are five ways to stay engaged: