Communication for a Better Life
Join us for one or more events; scroll down or click this button, for list of current offers
Experience a better life.
As the speaker and facilitator, David B. Alexander brings his experience as a psychotherapist, consultant, partner, and parent, as well as integrating a lifelong practice and teaching of meditation and Tai Chi Chuan.
David's therapy work is focused on individuals and couples, as well as organizational therapy for leaders and their teams, leading to connection, well-being, and achieving more of one's goals in life. He teaches communication skills especially to couples coming to improve their relationships.
The various presentations about and discussions of communication, especially Nonviolent Communication (NVC), are dedicated to making life better for group participants, through better understanding of self and other and through better communication choices
These events are enriching, safe opportunities for learning how to deepen relationships of all kinds through better communication, including through authenticity towards oneself, achieving more often the results we desire. As a psychotherapist, David has seen the value of these principles, and has guided numerous couples and individuals to improve the quality of their communication and their relationships.
Topics on core principles of Nonviolent Communication include:
Compassion vs. Labeling and Judgment
Observation vs. Diagnosis and Evaluation
Listening With Empathy
Feelings, Needs, and Requests
Expressing Anger's Core
Protection vs. Punishment
Liberation From Internal Programming
In addition to the introduction to NVC, webinars on specific communication topics from past years have included, for example, Expressing Yourself and Overcoming Inner Conflict; Enjoying the Difficult Conversation; and No Matter What, Appreciation and Celebration. These and others are being offered this year as well.
After presentations, there is always time for questions and answers as well as discussion.
Note: if any attendee does not wish to join in a discussion, but prefers to observe and absorb, that preference will be respected.
Events take place online via Zoom, and may in the future also take place in Long Island or Manhattan at announced addresses.
Webinars can be joined via ordinary phone, but for a full experience use of a computer will allow observing other attendees and those who are speaking. Attendees who do not wish to be seen can disable their video. Except when they are about to speak, attendees should mute their microphones so as to hear the webinar discussion and avoid adding background sounds.
"I thought the the webinar was outstanding. Although I have some familiarity with the concepts of nonviolent communication, I felt that the webinar greatly expanded my knowledge in this area and gave me useful information and techniques that I can apply to improve my relationships with my family and friends."
Ken Z.
The amount of information was terrific, dialogue was great. I wouldn't change anything. I thought meeting everyone was wonderful and having the dialogue. I am interested in attending more webinars.
Karen C.
Perfect. Very Comfortable interaction. A professional presentation. I liked listening to your personal experiences and those of others.
Michele F.
I thought it was very effective and constructive. I enjoyed the candor of presenters and openness to discuss concerns and clarify.
Karen S.
"I thought the the webinar was outstanding. Although I have some familiarity with the concepts of nonviolent communication, I felt that the webinar greatly expanded my knowledge in this area and gave me useful information and techniques that I can apply to improve my relationships with my family and friends."
Ken Z.
The amount of information was terrific, dialogue was great. I wouldn't change anything. I thought meeting everyone was wonderful and having the dialogue. I am interested in attending more webinars.
Karen C.
Perfect. Very Comfortable interaction. A professional presentation. I liked listening to your personal experiences and those of others.
Michele F.
I thought it was very effective and constructive. I enjoyed the candor of presenters and openness to discuss concerns and clarify.
Karen S.
Upcoming Commuication Events
To register for an event click "Buy now", or click the "Add" button for shopping cart to join more than one event
This four-event live, online series combines insights and practical daily life expression from Nonviolent Communication and from Zen and Buddhist wisdom.
Through engaging presentations and discussion, participants explore ways to find more peace and fulfillmennt, communicate more clearly, and handle conection as well as conflict more skillfully.
The series includes:
- Being a Leader, Being Led, and "Power With" (see more)
- Karma and Finding Your Liberated Mind (see more)
- Enjoying the Difficult Conversation and Making Things Better (see more)
-
The Zen of Visionary Poet and Artist William Blake, and Our Human Potential (see more)
About David
David B. Alexander teaches effective and enjoyable communication to individuals and couples, as well as to executives and business owners, so that they can thrive in the social and working world in which we all live. A primary focus for his communication work is an approach called Nonviolent Communication, or "NVC".
NVC emphasizes authenticity in communication, but authenticity based on an empathetic understanding of self and others. NVC expression can be loud or quiet, diplomatic or direct, but is always intended to benefit all parties who are involved.
As a licensed psychotherapist, David also finds value in gestalt therapy principles, existential therapy, and modern psychoanalytic understanding. These are all approaches towards awakening for a fulfilling life.
In addition to psychotherapy work, he has been studying Zen since the age of 20 and Tai Chi Chuan since the age of 25, and has been teaching since the early 1990s.
Psychotherapy sessions are available online across New York State, and in person in Roslyn Heights, NY. A free 15-minute consultation is available for those curious about individual or couples therapy. All inquiries are confidential.
This four-event live, online series combines insights and practical daily life expression from Nonviolent Communication and from Zen and Buddhist wisdom.
Through engaging presentations and discussion…
Saturday, September 19 · 11am – 1pm ET
Have you had to deal with a difficult leader (at home, at work, or in politics)?
And are you interested in being more effective yourself, when you have a leadership role?
All of us are meant to be leaders, and in some aspects of our lives we are leaders from the moment of birth. When an infant cries, she or he is trying at a visceral level to lead others to respond in a way that helps the infant and makes "the world" (as the infant experiences it) better.
We are always trying to express our experience as a way to make life better and influence those around us, whether in the workplace, at home, or elsewhere. Some do this very effectively, and others use approaches that are often counterproductive.
How do we respond as adults to different strategies that others use to lead? And how do WE lead when we are in a position of leadership? How do we lead even when others do not call us a "leader" officially?
Issues we will explore include "power with" vs. "power over", ideas of protection vs. punishment, and the strength of vulnerability along with empowerment. Soft power is another expression used to describe the ultimate strength of those who speak and act with authenticity.
About David
David B. Alexander is a licensed psychotherapist based in Roslyn Heights, NY, with a practice that draws on principles of gestalt therapy, existential therapy, and Nonviolent Communication, as well as drawing on decades of Zen Buddhist and Tai Chi Chuan practice and teaching.
He has guided individuals, couples, and leaders through the challenges that we all face in experiencing a better life despite what are felt as external setbacks or our own mental blocks. He brings to this work not just clinical expertise, but the kind of depth that only comes from a lifetime of practice and a life fully lived.
Psychotherapy sessions are available online across New York State, and in person in Roslyn Heights, NY. A free 15-minute consultation is available for those curious about individual or couples therapy. All inquiries are confidential.
Saturday, September 19 · 11am – 1pm ET
Have you had to deal with a difficult leader (at home, at work, or in politics)?
And are you interested in being more effective yourself, when you have a leade…
Saturday, November 14 · 11am – 1pm ET
Have there been, or are there now, important conversations that you have wanted to start, but felt nervous about doing so? Or actions that would initiate engagement with others in a way that is more intense and unpredictable than the usual?
In addition to the simple interactions that make up daily greetings and pleasantries, there are conversations and exchanges that involve important and often challenging content: hurt, anger, and even feelings of love and emotional intimacy, which can all be difficult to initiate, or to fully take in when offered by another person.
And yet, these same, somewhat raw conversations provide the opportunity for deeper mutual connection, as well as supporting one's own well-being and vitality.
Topics we will discuss include:
-
The benefits of expression vs. silence: bringing more life to your life
-
Handling anger well
-
Handling affection and empathy well
-
Reframing the conversation by realizing the positive at the root of the negative
-
"Good" words / "bad" words: which words and phrases create more conflict, and which heal
We invite all participants to bring in their own real-life questions and challenges around the above topics, or other topics related to "difficult conversations."
About David
David B. Alexander teaches effective and enjoyable communication to individuals and couples, as well as to executives and business owners, so that they can thrive in the social and working world in which we all live. A primary focus for his communication work is an approach called Nonviolent Communication, or "NVC".
NVC emphasizes authenticity in communication, but authenticity based on an empathetic understanding of self and others. NVC expression can be loud or quiet, diplomatic or direct, but is always intended to benefit all parties who are involved.
As a licensed psychotherapist, David also finds value in gestalt therapy principles, existential therapy, and modern psychoanalytic understanding. These are all approaches towards awakening for a fulfilling life.
In addition to psychotherapy work, he has been studying Zen since the age of 20 and Tai Chi Chuan since the age of 25, and has been teaching Tai Chi Chuan since the early 1990s.
Psychotherapy sessions are available online across New York State, and in person in Roslyn Heights, NY. A free 15-minute consultation is available for those curious about individual or couples therapy. All inquiries are confidential.
Saturday, November 14 · 11am – 1pm ET
Have there been, or are there now, important conversations that you have wanted to start, but felt nervous about doing so? Or actions that would initiate engagem…
Not Able to Attend Any of These Dates?
Join our email list to get updates with new articles and events
“David is a superbly gifted Organizational Therapist who is able to help guide entrepreneurs in growing their businesses while navigating the highly unpredictable environment that we find ourselves in.
Unlike many psychotherapists he has a long-established track record of working and advising in the real world, which allows him to help his clients deal with real world problem solving. If you have an established business which is coping with a changing times, or an entrepreneur looking to unlock growth and opportunities I would highly recommend David as a consultant.”
Michael Pinto
Entrepreneurial Product Designer and CEO of Very Memorable
“I had both the privilege and good fortune to first connect with David in 2019. In retaining his services, I found him to be highly professional, insightful, authentic, patient, and kind. I greatly appreciated his direct approach, thoughtful consideration, and engaging manner.
As it turns out, the feedback and insight he provided me turned out to be absolutely spot on, over the course of time. It is a pleasure to recommend David as a pragmatic, discerning, and intuitive counselor, therapist, and leader.”
Eben Wilson
Founder and CEO, Exaio Systems
“David recently did a presentation on non-violent communication on behalf of one of my clients, an HR firm. To say that he hit it out of the ballpark would be an understatement. He was engaging, used real-world scenarios and examples and provided the attendees with actionable take-aways to help them navigate the sometimes-tricky world of intergenerational workplace communication.
David is genuine and empathetic. Even during a brief training, his message resonated with this audience of business owners, HR managers and C-suite executives. We received extremely positive feedback from the attendees and highly recommend David for consulting and training in this area.”
Theresa Jacobellis
President, PrescRXptive Communications, LLC
“David is a superbly gifted Organizational Therapist who is able to help guide entrepreneurs in growing their businesses while navigating the highly unpredictable environment that we find ourselves in.
Unlike many psychotherapists he has a long-established track record of working and advising in the real world, which allows him to help his clients deal with real world problem solving. If you have an established business which is coping with a changing times, or an entrepreneur looking to unlock growth and opportunities I would highly recommend David as a consultant.”
Michael Pinto
Entrepreneurial Product Designer and CEO of Very Memorable
“I had both the privilege and good fortune to first connect with David in 2019. In retaining his services, I found him to be highly professional, insightful, authentic, patient, and kind. I greatly appreciated his direct approach, thoughtful consideration, and engaging manner.
As it turns out, the feedback and insight he provided me turned out to be absolutely spot on, over the course of time. It is a pleasure to recommend David as a pragmatic, discerning, and intuitive counselor, therapist, and leader.”
Eben Wilson
Founder and CEO, Exaio Systems
“David recently did a presentation on non-violent communication on behalf of one of my clients, an HR firm. To say that he hit it out of the ballpark would be an understatement. He was engaging, used real-world scenarios and examples and provided the attendees with actionable take-aways to help them navigate the sometimes-tricky world of intergenerational workplace communication.
David is genuine and empathetic. Even during a brief training, his message resonated with this audience of business owners, HR managers and C-suite executives. We received extremely positive feedback from the attendees and highly recommend David for consulting and training in this area.”
Theresa Jacobellis
President, PrescRXptive Communications, LLC