I started learning Nonviolent Communication (NVC) in 2006 when a friend lent me Marshall Rosenberg’s book, Nonviolent Communication, ‘A Language of Life’. I was relieved and excited by how it shed light on confusing and painful experiences in some of my relationships.
I began to understand much more about the reactivity in myself and others and the underlying dynamics in difficult conversations. So began an ongoing exploration into why people say what they say and what they might mean from a compassionate perspective.
NVC has become a powerful way for me to connect to previously unfelt feelings and honour my needs.
It has shown me how to speak up for myself, live more in tune with what matters to me and more in harmony with others.
I started offering NVC training in London in 2010 and in 2014 qualified as a Certified Trainer with the Centre for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC). As well as leading public trainings, I coach individuals and couples and hold regular immersive residential workshops including dance sessions to support the embodiment of NVC. I also train NVC in organisations.
I have regular peer supervision and ongoing CPD. I’ve completed a Needs-Based Coaching Certification and deepened my trauma-awareness on a year long course in Polyvagal Theory with Deb Dana.
I have a PGCE in adult education and was an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) teacher in Further Education for 18 years. I completed a BA degree in English and African Studies and an MA in Gender and Development. I trained and worked as a journalist for business and human rights publications. My first job was as a residential social worker for children in care.
For about nine years, Vipassana meditation was a daily practice for me and I participated in long retreats in Asia and the UK. It was on a meditation cushion that I realised my body needed to move, more than to sit, and shortly afterwards I discovered 5 Rhythms dance. I’ve been dancing and making connections between different mindfulness and compassion practices ever since. I am now a qualified Open Floor Movement Practice teacher. Along the way I completed a Foundation Training in Core Process Psychotherapy.
For years I’ve worked regularly with Movement of Being, which is hard to describe but essentially about becoming aware of and relaxing into the experience of each moment. It’s an acknowledging and welcoming of every thought, feeling and state, a compassionate getting to know ourselves as imperfect human beings as well as spiritual beings.
These are some of the experiences that have supported my integration of an NVC mindset.
I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to travel and live in East and Southern Africa and South-East Asia; as a teacher in Kenya, a party-goer in Goa, a hiker in Nepal, and a pilgrim in Myanmar.
Cath is a certified NVC trainer with CNVC, the global organisation founded by Marshall Rosenberg to support the learning and sharing of NVC for personal healing, peaceful and effective dialogue, collaboration in organisations and social justice.