Nonviolent communication
self-expression and empathy
Nonviolent Communication is a method created by American psychologist Marshall Roseberg that guides practitioners in reframing how they express themselves, how to hear others and resolve conflicts by focusing on what they are observing, feeling, needing, and requesting. It is a tool that leads us toward compassionate connection between people in which everyone’s needs are valued and are met through collaboration. Through Nonviolent Communication, conflict resolution becomes easier, avoiding simple disputes and resolving difficult ones more effectively.
In Creatosphere, our main approach to learning are experiential learning and learning by doing. The different processes are designed in a way that the participants are first experiencing themselves the methods that they will be trained to use. After that, they have moments for reflection, followed by a conclusion and applying the new knowledge to the context they live in.
When we get people to experience a certain quality of connection to the pain that’s been inside a long time, it can be rapidly transformed. Simulations in pair or in groups can be quite beneficial to understanding one’s own and other people’s emotions. Because our training is based on the assumption that all violent language is a tragic expression of unmet needs, zoning out of our own emotions can help us see the situation from the side and assess it more clearly.
At Creatosphere, we offer workshops on nonviolent communication and empathy giving, as well as nonviolent communication through puppet theater. We hold the frame for participants to explore connection to themselves, as well as self-expression and empathy. Coming to this workshop, you can expect interactive discussions, exchange of experiences and new ideas on how to build more fruitful relationships without resorting to violence or aggression. We believe that any effort to improve our communication skills is a step towards a more harmonious and understanding society.
Did you know? A systematic review of research as of 2013 analyzed 13 studies picked from 2,634 citations. Eleven of these suggested an increase in empathy subsequent to the application of nonviolent communication. As of 2017, fifteen master’s theses and doctoral dissertations are known to have tested the model on sample sizes of 108 or smaller and generally have found the model to be effective. A 2014 study examined the effects of combined NVC and mindfulness training on 885 male inmates of the Monroe Correctional Complex in Monroe, Washington, United States. The training was found to reduce recidivism from 37% to 21%, and was estimated as having saved the state $5 million per year in reduced incarceration costs. The training was found to increase equanimity, decrease anger, and lead to abilities to take responsibility for one’s feelings, express empathy, and to make requests without imposing demands.
Individuals’ social and emotional needs include needs of praise, respect, love, affection, achievement and so on. Strong caring relationships result in healthy and better life, while poor relationships may promote a sense of not belonging, as well as mental health problems. Daily talk and actions may intentionally or unintentionally reflect a kind of violence that can disrupt relationships and ruin the healthy environment. With Creatosphere, we aim to promote a healthier style of communication where all parties feel heard and appreciated, and pave the way for a more empathetic society. Join one of our Nonviolent communication workshops and dive deeper into understanding human emotions and needs, as well as expressing them to others and hearing their own.
The nonviolent communication workshops are led by Toni Lyubenova, a social artist passionate about communication and building communities, who focuses on exploring how human connections functions through creative exercises, embodiment and lots of time for reflection. Toni was the project manager and trainer of “Nonviolent communication through puppet theater” Erasmus+ training course, which happened in February 2024 with Association Alter Network.
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EmotiON
This is my inspiration for this theme and it is something I recently discovered as a mindset. I found new logic for my entire life through caring for another and how much hope that brings to an individual when they have to do things to make another creature’s life better and not their own. Which of course makes everyone in the equation happy.