I have been interested in personal healing since I was a teenager growing up in North Seattle, on the stolen lands of the Snohomish. I’ve wanted to discover how to find peace within and how to heal families so that the world may become a more loving, compassionate place. I am so excited to be sharing NVC because I believe this work is so meaningful. It is very important for me to contribute to others in a meaningful way and I have seen so many people benefit from the return to the consciousness of interdependence, shared power and where all needs are held with full care. Also, sharing NVC keeps me closer to the consciousness that has become such an important, core part of my life.
To follow my interests I received a B.A. in Sociology with a Minor in History in 1988 from the University of New Mexico. I received my teaching certificate for Social Studies 7-12th grade the next year. When my husband and I returned to Washington, I became an Ameri Corps volunteer and worked at Kitsap County Project Family, a non-profit agency for the prevention of child abuse. There I worked with pregnant and parenting teens, and parents of young children. I learned many parenting programs and curricula. I received my most important "degree" in 1993, when our first child was born. I then got a "double major" in 1996 when our twins were born. And all the parent education preparation didn’t help me understand how to deal with my feelings, let alone help me teach my children how to notice their thoughts and feelings and be able to hold care for themselves and others. Thankfully, I was asked if I might be interested in joining an NVC parent practice group in 2006 and my life changed. NVC helped me to know how to become self-aware and how to connect with myself and others with compassion. I finally have a consciousness and tool to share a different story about how the world works. I could keep the trust and connection with my loved ones while also supporting self-awareness and self-responsibility. I have realized my dream of helping people to heal, starting with myself, so we can be grounded adults that spread compassion to the world and can be present to the authentic stories and experiences of all the times people have been impacted by the domination culture of "Who's winning". Nonviolent Communication has greatly impacted every aspect of my life and I have a sense of grounding that supports me to be present to what is, to notice my thoughts, and observe my own inner compass while also atuning to others and their experiences. NVC has benefited my relationship with myself, my children, my husband, my colleagues and my world. I strive to help co-create spaces for wisdom to emerge.
Within the last 15 years I have taught 3rd and 4th graders NVC using Sura Hart’s The No Fault Classroom and worked as an aid for 4 years while also serving as the school’s Student Support Coordinator. I have facilitated workshops and trainings to many different groups, from children to adults, including being a guest lecturer at the University of Washington School of Nursing Communication course and at Virgina Mason Hospital's Family Medicine Residency Program. I have supported numerous schools, parenting groups, The League of Women voters, faith communities, and have taught student leaders at the University of Puget Sound. Other groups I've worked with are the Q Center for LGBTQ youth, the Sunfield Waldorf School in Chimmacum, Washington, the Cedars Unitarian Universalist church on Bainbridge Island, 40 Years of Zen, and the Chobo-Ji Zen Center in Seattle, WA.
I have a passion for sharing NVC with anyone who is interested in exploring self-growth and learning a different way of speaking and listening. I especially love to work with parents and teachers. I have attended NVC Family Camp with my family since 2010, I have been staff since 2011. I provide community workshops, class series, introductory lectures and facilitate practice groups in Kitsap County and surrounding areas. I also reach people all over the world through visual learning. I work with individuals, organizations, families and couples and offer Nonviolent Communication mentoring and empathic coaching.
I stepped into the role of Certified Trainer within the Trainer Candidate Community Path (TCCP) in 2011. I have stayed with this learning community, giving and receiving so much learning and companionship. I now have stepped into the role of Assessor in Training to be a co-companion/co-explorer for those wanting to integrate Nonviolence consciousness into their lives more deeply. This community has been exploring how to decolonize NVC, and how to expand our awareness of the impact of domination culture and bring in a power and rank/status/privilege lens to support.
To follow my interests I received a B.A. in Sociology with a Minor in History in 1988 from the University of New Mexico. I received my teaching certificate for Social Studies 7-12th grade the next year. When my husband and I returned to Washington, I became an Ameri Corps volunteer and worked at Kitsap County Project Family, a non-profit agency for the prevention of child abuse. There I worked with pregnant and parenting teens, and parents of young children. I learned many parenting programs and curricula. I received my most important "degree" in 1993, when our first child was born. I then got a "double major" in 1996 when our twins were born. And all the parent education preparation didn’t help me understand how to deal with my feelings, let alone help me teach my children how to notice their thoughts and feelings and be able to hold care for themselves and others. Thankfully, I was asked if I might be interested in joining an NVC parent practice group in 2006 and my life changed. NVC helped me to know how to become self-aware and how to connect with myself and others with compassion. I finally have a consciousness and tool to share a different story about how the world works. I could keep the trust and connection with my loved ones while also supporting self-awareness and self-responsibility. I have realized my dream of helping people to heal, starting with myself, so we can be grounded adults that spread compassion to the world and can be present to the authentic stories and experiences of all the times people have been impacted by the domination culture of "Who's winning". Nonviolent Communication has greatly impacted every aspect of my life and I have a sense of grounding that supports me to be present to what is, to notice my thoughts, and observe my own inner compass while also atuning to others and their experiences. NVC has benefited my relationship with myself, my children, my husband, my colleagues and my world. I strive to help co-create spaces for wisdom to emerge.
Within the last 15 years I have taught 3rd and 4th graders NVC using Sura Hart’s The No Fault Classroom and worked as an aid for 4 years while also serving as the school’s Student Support Coordinator. I have facilitated workshops and trainings to many different groups, from children to adults, including being a guest lecturer at the University of Washington School of Nursing Communication course and at Virgina Mason Hospital's Family Medicine Residency Program. I have supported numerous schools, parenting groups, The League of Women voters, faith communities, and have taught student leaders at the University of Puget Sound. Other groups I've worked with are the Q Center for LGBTQ youth, the Sunfield Waldorf School in Chimmacum, Washington, the Cedars Unitarian Universalist church on Bainbridge Island, 40 Years of Zen, and the Chobo-Ji Zen Center in Seattle, WA.
I have a passion for sharing NVC with anyone who is interested in exploring self-growth and learning a different way of speaking and listening. I especially love to work with parents and teachers. I have attended NVC Family Camp with my family since 2010, I have been staff since 2011. I provide community workshops, class series, introductory lectures and facilitate practice groups in Kitsap County and surrounding areas. I also reach people all over the world through visual learning. I work with individuals, organizations, families and couples and offer Nonviolent Communication mentoring and empathic coaching.
I stepped into the role of Certified Trainer within the Trainer Candidate Community Path (TCCP) in 2011. I have stayed with this learning community, giving and receiving so much learning and companionship. I now have stepped into the role of Assessor in Training to be a co-companion/co-explorer for those wanting to integrate Nonviolence consciousness into their lives more deeply. This community has been exploring how to decolonize NVC, and how to expand our awareness of the impact of domination culture and bring in a power and rank/status/privilege lens to support.
