Services :
Communication Classes
Compassionate Communication (CC) classes can help you learn the “language of life” in a safe and fun setting. CC is the art of using words in a specific way – a way that inspires connection, rather than causing alienation. The result? Improved relationships, better understanding, less frustration with other people’s words and behaviors, and greater sense of control in interactions with others.
Marshall Rosenberg’s book: Nonviolent Communication: The Language of Life, is the basis for these teachings. He traveled the world, facilitating dialogues between some of the most highly charged groups of people. The results will amaze you!
See an outline of specific training below… I would be happy to customize a program for you. Please contact Lynn for more information and pricing.
Compassionate Communication Training and Services
Introduction to CC
⏱ 3 -hours
This program provides an in-depth overview of the Compassionate Communication 4-Step Process, its foundational practices and benefits, and the theory behind its success. Each participant works on completing a 4-Step Communication of their own in class, with support. This class is a fun and interactive way to understand where and why we get into trouble from a communication perspective, and how to begin using the practice right away, for increased harmony and peace. It is a prerequisite for private or group coaching.
Beyond the basics
Minimum time: ⏱90 minutes
“Beyond the Basics” classes, or practice groups, cover any number of specific topics related to the mastery of Compassionate Communication. Each class offers instruction as well as participant practice related to the 4-Step Process as well as complementary practices, such as empathetic listening, that is tailored to the individual or group. Possible topics include:
- Facts vs. stories, or interpretations
- What is behind a “No”
- The difference between feelings and feeling statements
- Why talking about feelings works
- Avoiding emotional roller coasters
- Why knowing what you need is crucial
- The stigma of needs
- What gets in the way of connecting with others?
- How to meet your needs; what to expect from others
- How to ask for what you want, and overcoming your fear of speaking it
- Interpreting people’s responses to your requests
- What to do when you catch yourself in blame
- and much more…
Several advanced classes are offered to individuals and groups with basic working knowledge of the CC 4-Step Process, and empathy (See next segment)
- De-escalation training: How to stop an argument
- Difficult conversations
- Compassionate listening
- CC as a spiritual practice
- How to make an effective apology
- Expressing appreciations
Basics of empathy
⏱ 4 hours
Empathy is one of the most difficult connections for humans to execute. Coined from the German word “Einfühlung,” which means “to feel into.” It is not the exercise, as many people conjure, of being able to mentally “relate to someone’s situation.” Rather, empathy is the practice of connecting to the feelings and needs that might be “alive,” or active in one self or another in the present moment when the communication is being made. Empathy, correctly given, provides the listener with the experience of being fully and completely heard within the space of unconditional non-judgment.
To become a master at empathy, one must become extremely practiced in the qualities of meditation (slowing down, observation, non-reaction, and the overriding of impulse, to name a few). Moreover, a proficient empathizer is skilled in identifying and averting any number of more typical human responses, such as fixing, advising, comforting, changing the subject, questioning, cheer-leading, and encouraging, none of which are empathy.
In this class, participants can expect to learn and experience:
- what empathy is, and what it is not;
- the many challenges to empathizing;
- preparing oneself to empathize;
- how to empathize verbally;
- how to ask someone for empathy;
- how to break conditioned patterns such as “advising” and “fixing,” which can be experienced as violent.
Empathy, perhaps, is one of the most underrated skills today, and many experts are calling it the single most important skill for the 21st century. See how it can impact your life and business today.
Compassionate WRiting
⏱ Hourly
Relationship disagreements can be some of the most emotionally trying circumstances that an individual or family may deal with in life. If you are experiencing a communication gap with someone in your life, and don’t know how to close it? Or, have something that you want to communicate, but just don’t have the words, consider allowing me to help you write a letter.
As a professional writer and editor, I can help you put words on paper that will allow the healing to begin. Businesses also find this service to be helpful, when difficulties with employees or customers arise, or they want to enroll or influence readers with a message. Let the power of “language of life” help you mend fences, inspire, and discover new-found possibilities in your relationships today.
Meeting Options:
onSite
At My Place of Business: My office is located in Hendersonville, NC. Appointments are available on most days and evenings of the week.
At Your Home or Place of Business: I can travel to your place of business or your home to conduct meetings and trainings. A travel fee applies. Please contact me for more information.
via the internet
Skype and Google Hangout:
I use either of these services to connect face to face with clients for coaching and training.
Prerequisites: Your computer must be directly connected to your cable modem for this service to be effective. Wireless connections will not work for these purposes, as there will be too many delays, and the picture will freeze, which creates interruptions.
Via the Telephone
Some people find phone conversations ideal for connecting. It offers flexibility, efficiency, and reliability.
Prerequisites: If you are using a cell phone, please make sure that it is fully charged, or that you have access to charging, and are in an area with a good cell phone service.