Join this interactive, free monthly workshop dedicated to improving on important relationships and your own awareness and well-being.

What if you could find ways to interrupt old patterns of friction or even conflict, and instead find a way to understand and be understood, creating peace and connection instead?

I remember hearing one member of a couple say to the other "I feel that you are an idiot!" after being requested to use "I" statements and express feelings. Of course, that is a fairly extreme example of following the letter of the instructions but not the spirit.

We are always challenged in life to find ways to connect with genuine feelings and insights that welcome other people in, rather than blaming or shaming them.

There is no single formula for good communication. However, when we are genuine with other people, it encourages authenticity, and people start to truly understand and appreciate each other's feelings and needs. That leads to better relating and an ability to work out solutions.

A more genuine statement than the above example might have been "I am feeling very frustrated, and I am not sure why I feel that way, but I think that you are responsible for my bad feeling!" Two important differences are: 1) it expresses a feeling--frustration, and 2) it makes transparent that the speaker is attributing responsibility to the other person.

Why these two shifts are helpful is part of the topic of effective communication, dispute resolution, and ultimately improving and saving of relationships. The goal in good communication is that all parties in the process can feel seen and heard, and come out with a stronger, positive connection to others.

The event is facilitated by David B. Alexander, LP. In it, we will apply Nonviolent Communication to issues or questions that the attendees bring in, and David will facilitate the dialogue. If there are not enough issues or questions brought by attendees, there will be sample situations provided for discussion.

Violent communication can show itself in subtle ways that are hardly noticed, so the word "violent" might be surprising. However, the theme is that violent communication tends to disrupt empathy and relationships, while nonviolent communication is a win/win kind of communication that brings people together.

Nonviolent Communication is an approach to communication and relationships that is based on empathic connection, but that also provides a clear description and understanding of what kinds of communication help bring more joy and vitality into life, and what kinds of communication prolong conflict or separation.

As a psychotherapist, David has seen the great value of these principles, and has guided numerous couples and individuals to improve the quality of their communication and their relationships.

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Note: it is recommended that people have their video / camera on during our session to asist in having more connection with others, although it remains optional and can be turned on and off as suits the needs of the participant.

The workshop meeting will take place online via Zoom. The meeting can be joined via ordinary phone, but for a full experience use of a computer will allow seeing all participants more easily.