What is NVC?

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) helps people create a peaceful and sustainable world.

  • Imagine connecting with the human spirit in each person in any situation.
  • Imagine interacting with others in a way that allows everyone's needs to be equally valued.
  • Imagine creating organizations and life-serving systems responsive to our needs and the needs of our environment.

NVC has been described as:

  • A language of compassion
  • A personal practice for clarifying and living one’s values
  • A guide for interpersonal communication
  • An effective process for conflict resolution
  • A powerful tool for social change

Origins of NVC
NVC was developed by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg, Ph.D. over a period of thirty years. NVC has been taught to individuals and organizations in over 35 countries. Currently, 200 Certified Trainers around the world teach NVC in their communities, schools, prisons, corporations, social change organizations, war-torn regions, health care and government institutions.

Learn NVC
Learning Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a powerful process that contributes to clear, honest and respectful communication, with yourself, and with others.

Learning NVC empowers you to:

  • Make clear observations, separate from your opinions and evaluations
  • Identify and express your feelings
  • Identify and express your underlying needs
  • Make clear requests of yourself and others to meet your needs

Learning NVC will help you:

  • Transform major blocks to communication such as demands, diagnoses, criticism and blame
  • Eradicate feelings of guilt, shame and depression
  • Express your true emotions in ways that minimize defensive reactions in others
  • Receive critical or hostile messages without taking them personally, lashing out, or losing self-esteem
  • Create understanding , inspire cooperation, and facilitate effective action in personal and professional relationships
  • Resolve conflicts peacefully and powerfully
  • Become more effective at everything you do, including creating peace in the world

Resources for Learning NVC
In addition to this website, the following websites have information on NVC classes, workshops, trainings, and materials (books, CDs, DVDs, tapes, videos):
The Center for Nonviolent Communication
Puddle Dancer Press
NVC Academy (telecourses, online courses, and downloadable audio)

Individual Websites of Train for Life trainers:
Sylvia Haskvitz: Nonviolent Communication Arizona
Jean Morrison: NVC Santa Cruz Center for Compassion
John Cunningham: Empathy Connects Us
Sura Hart: Kindle-Hart Communication