Nonviolent Communication Part 1: Using Empathy | MyALIGN Webinar

Communication skills are fundamental to social work practice. Nonviolent Communication (NVC), sometimes referred to as Compassionate Communication, offers a powerful tool for positive social change. According to its creator, psychologist Marshall Rosenberg, NVC is effective in relationships among families, colleagues, and in conflicts of any nature as it encourages empathic communication. For child welfare professionals, compassion and empathy are cornerstones to building trust among families, as well as within interprofessional relationships.

In this webinar, we will discuss the connection between trauma and adverse experiences, the brain, and NVC. Participants will reflect on how they typically respond to conflict situations, both personally and professionally. Through the NVC model, participants will learn other conversational responses, how to implement empathic communication through the three components of empathy, as well as the difference between feelings vs. thought-feelings and needs vs. strategies.

Presented by: Janelle King, Restorative Practices Coordinator at Boulder Valley School District, and A'miracle Smith, Nursing Student and Youth Advocate