NVC Level 2 Intermediate Practice Groups online & in London
What’s an on-going and closed group?
People who’ve done at least a Level 1 Foundation Training (approx 13 hours) in NVC or equivalent join for a block of 5 sessions (meeting monthly) with the opportunity to continue after that. The groups are not open to people dropping in for the odd session.
This format allows you to meet with the same people over time, which helps to build trust, safety and community. Each group has about 9 (max 12) members, some of whom are new and others who’ve been there for a couple of years or more. So you’ll be joining an established group that shifts and changes over time. We will give you are warm welcome :-)
There's an option, but no commitment, to arrange extra peer-practice meetings in between sessions, with two or more of you.
What are the sessions like?
Each session begins with a brief guided meditation to support presence, then a check-in round followed by a space to reflect on your NVC practice. We orientate to the specific theme of the session and then do some kind of exercise to practise, in pairs, threes or the whole group. You get to practise and deepen the foundations of NVC and learn new skills and processes. Sometimes you get handouts to read in advance to make more time in the sessions for actual practise. There is an ongoing invitation to suggest topics and ways to practise. We want to support each other to integrate NVC into our everyday lives.
“I found the sessions very original, poignant and participatory. Every one offered me something new on my NVC journey that I hadn’t really delved into before and, I think thanks to lots of breakout room opportunity, I also felt needs for reflection and connection with the topics were made each time.”
“The regularity of the sessions keeps my practice alive, and sustains momentum. I also find Cath to be very warm and welcoming to what is alive, as well as a skilled facilitator and practitioner – she provides content which I find new, fresh, practical and useful. ”
What kind of topics do you practise?
A wide variety. Here are some examples: gratitude; mourning; meeting our need for love; staying open and curious when you disagree with someone; how not to annoy people with your NVC; street giraffe; expressing appreciation vs compliments and praise; role-playing difficult conversations; fingerprint needs; working with enemy images; self-appreciation. We regularly revisit the three essential modes of NVC: self-compassion; listening with empathy; honest expression.
Days & times (London time zone)
Saturdays 2.30am-5.30pm, including a 30 minute break, online
Sundays 3pm-6pm, including a 30 minute break; in person (Elephant & Castle / Kennington) * Please note that the venue is the home of one of the members and is up 3 flights of stairs without a lift / is not wheel-chair accessible
Thursdays 7pm - 9.15pm online (including 15 minute break midway)
Tuesdays 7pm - 9pm online (2 groups to choose from)
In-person sessions
I’ve been running NVC groups since 2014 and we have always met in the home of one of the members, until 2019 when of course we moved online. The Sunday group is now back in person and we meet in one participant’s home as I have found participants enjoy the relaxed and homely atmosphere. As a result, the location of the group shifts from time to time and there may be an opportunity for you to host the group if you’d enjoy that.
“Seeing the same faces each month and learning more about how others experience NVC, and the challenges in their own lives, has been new, interesting and exciting for me. I’ve found the topics both stimulating and enlightening. The group format has also given me the opportunity to practise relating empathically with people who aren’t family or friends. I find myself now more aware of judgments arising, and the urge to analyse, explain or educate. I’ve seen experientially how genuine empathy and stillness are the most effective ways to meet my own needs for connection, no matter who I’m talking with. ”
Cost
I have a sliding scale and ask for payment in advance for 5 sessions:
£300-£120 for the weekend groups
£250-£90 for the evening groups
I ask you to consider your and my needs for sustainability, giving and receiving when choosing what to give me. I offer a scale in acknowledgment that disposable incomes vary. I’d like NVC to be affordable for everyone so please talk to me if this isn’t. If you are able to afford the high end of the scale, please know you are also supporting others who need to pay less. And if you can give only at the lower end, please trust that you are allowing me and others to support you, so meeting our needs for giving and contributing.
For transparency, NVC is my only source of income and is taxable income; I am paying a mortgage and don’t have dependents.
Booking
There are two intakes per year for new members, beginning February and September.
If you’re interested please let me know you’d like to join my waiting list via my Contact page and you’ll be contacted in good time to join a group at the next intake.
Testimonials
“I’ve been in an on-going NVC practice group lead by Cath for a while now. I’ve found this an excellent way to keep the practice of NVC alive for me. By meeting regularly with the same group we build trust. Cath provides tasks and exercises which involve us all and help us grow our ability to use NVC. The depth of listening and attention we provide each other is extraordinary. Even if I arrive cut off and unsure I leave feeling moved, connected and heart warmed!! I’m sure all of this is enabled by Cath’s gentle present leadership” Sam
“Cath warmly and gently holds the space for NVC learning, clearly introducing the topic and then using full group discussion and a variety of smaller group exercises. She demonstrates NVC in action in her organisation of the meetings, balancing the varying needs of individuals in the group.” Katie
“Cath creates a space where we feel safe, playful, tender and experimental. I like our group which is not a drop-in but closed for five months so we can get to know each other and build support gradually and at a natural pace. I like the way she provides plenty of opportunities for us to explore our everyday (challenging) life experiences, which I found really valuable for learning (the safe atmosphere helps) and also gives us enough time to really get intimate with our feelings.” Asako
Cancellation policy
If you cancel your place before the ‘term’ of 5 sessions begin, I am willing to refund you in full minus a £15 administration fee as long as I can get someone to take your place. If I’m not able to replace you then the cancellation cost is the full amount you have paid.
Once the ‘term’ has started there are no refunds as it is too late for anyone else to join.
In the unlikely event that I cancel a session then I’ll refund you the fee for that session, or give you the option to put the money towards another of my events.