Introduction to Compassionate Communication (NVC) - One Day in Person Training

WHEN

Friday July 18, 2025, 9:00am to 5:00pm

WHERE

Vancouver, BC — exact address will be communicated upon registration.

WHY PARTICIPATE?

What if you could be fully yourself, honor your own needs, AND meet others with genuine care and empathy?

Most of us were never taught how to navigate conflict, sit with difficult emotions, or truly listen to someone we love. NVC gives you a practical path to do all of that — not as a set of techniques to apply, but as a way of being that gradually becomes more natural.

During this training, you'll be invited to let down your guard and truly connect — with yourself and with others in the room. Expect real conversations, embodied exercises, and moments that stay with you.

Topics we will explore:

• NVC consciousness — the way of being and intention that underlies the whole practice
• Connecting to our feelings and needs — the heart of empathic listening
• Self-empathy — resourcing yourself in moments of intense emotion
• The NVC model — discovering the four steps of the NVC model
• Non-empathy responses — recognizing what what empathy is and is not

Note: This day also counts as a prerequisite for our immersion training. If you've been drawn to the immersion but have never done an in-person intro to NVC, this is the place to start.

WHAT IS THE APPROACH?

The workshop isn't theoretical: after each piece of new information, concrete exercises will help participants integrate and apply it to their daily lives. Myriam and Warren affectionately refer to themselves as 'creative facilitators'. This means fusing their facilitation with highly interactive, imaginative and artistic approaches. Myriam and Warren have accumulated decades of experience in interactive theatre and movement based learning. No experience in theatre or dance is necessary, and there will be a lot of choice around how to engage in the exercises.

WHAT PAST PARTICIPANTS HAVE SAID

" Myriam's passion for her work really shone through and got me excited about NVC! She incorporated such a variety of activities in her workshop that I was always interested and fully engaged."

"Myriam and Warren are a strong facilitation team who embody the authenticity and compassion that they teach through NVC, with each other, with themselves and with all participants. In such a challenging time in our collective story, these two set a diverse group of people at ease with caring and consideration that allowed us all to access the learning and dive deep within to understand ourselves better in the context of interactions with others. It was a privilege to learn with them. They wove together powerful personal stories, references to supporting research, knowledge of the histories of NVC and many practical opportunities to bring the learning to life in a meaningful way. I found the workshop a uniquely safe experience that allowed me to be in touch with new layers of my vulnerabilities. Their work with us also supported the growth of new connections to inner strength and each other with purposeful awareness that cultivates more compassionate communication."

" I experienced perceptual changes and deeper understanding of my needs and how to express them in just 2 days!

*****

LOCATION

Vancouver, BC. Exact location will be communicated upon registration.

PRICING

Price for one day of training (7 hours):

Regular — $275
Supported — $195
Supporter or professional — $360

Register early, our workshops tend to sell out.

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How to decide how much to pay?

The money you contribute helps sustain this work. On average I need each participant to contribute around $275 for these workshops to be viable. And I know this amount is not easily available for everyone. If you contribute more than $275, you help someone else attend who couldn't otherwise.

Consider paying less on the scale if you:

• are supporting children or have other dependents
• have significant debt
• have medical expenses not covered by insurance
• receive public assistance
• have immigration-related expenses
• are an elder with limited financial support
• are an unpaid community organizer

Consider paying more on the scale if you:

• own the home you live in
• have investments, retirement accounts, or inherited money
• travel recreationally
• have access to family money and resources in times of need
• work part time by choice
• have a relatively high degree of earning power due to level of education (or gender and racial privilege, class background, etc.) Even if you are not currently exercising your earning power, I ask you to recognize this as a choice.

If $195 is still a barrier, please reach out — I'm sure we can find creative ways for you to contribute other than money :)

*****

CANCELLATIONS

Cancellation policy:

• More than 7 days before the workshop: 100% refund minus $15 of administrative fees
• Between 7 days and 48 hours before the workshop: 50% refund
• Less than 48 hours before the workshop: no refund unless someone takes your place

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ABOUT THE FACILITATORS

MYRIAM VERZAT

Myriam is a CNVC certified trainer in Nonviolent Communication based in Nanaimo, BC, Canada. She has a Master's degree in communication, a certificate in environmental education, and has been training and sharing NVC for over five years. She shares her passion with individuals, schools and organizations around British Columbia and beyond. Her dream is to empower organizations and individuals to build a more compassionate and sustainable world. She is also a dancer and a nature lover.

To know more: www.myriamverzat.com

WARREN HOOLEY

Warren Hooley comes from the (Okanagan) Territory in Penticton, British Columbia. Having mixed roots of Okanagan, English and Ukrainian and growing up in both western and indigenous worlds, Warren sees himself as a bridge, helping both sides move from polarity to deeper connection. For the past 10 years, Warren has passionately facilitated over 1500 workshops on the topics of Compassionate Communication, Indigenous 'Allyship' and Decolonization. Today, living in Vancouver BC, Warren is dedicated to helping create a world where everyone can thrive and succeed to their own definition. His work is focused on teaching the tangible skills for healthy, happy and sustainable relationships.