Online practice sessions will meet on specified Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings (Central Standard Time or CST). All practice groups are meeting online until further notice, and are offered by your hosts in Madison, Wisconsin USA. Please join us from wherever you are!
Join Us for Practice
Our various practice groups are listed below. There are groups to support every level of practice, and you are welcome to join us for any and all practice groups that match your needs and experience level.
Reminders are sent via email for each practice group meeting. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, or if you have any questions, please contact us. You can also find us on Facebook.
In addition, please check our Calendar page to confirm dates and check for exceptions to our regular schedule, such as holiday breaks.
We also invite you to review our Group Agreements.
Please visit this page often to find the latest details on practice group sessions, including dates and times, handouts, resources, and any advance preparation that may enable you to participate more fully.
About Our Practice Groups
Level 1: Experiencing the heart of NVC
Offered the second and fourth Tuesday and first and third Wednesday of the month, 7–8:30 pm Central Time (CT)
Level 1 practice group is intended for every Nonviolent Communication (NVC) practitioner, regardless of prior experience. These sessions will benefit practitioners at all levels, from beginner to advanced.
If you are new to NVC, you will learn and practice skills that will bring NVC to life. If you are an experienced practitioner, these sessions provide a wonderful opportunity to share your experience with others and deepen your own practice.
We use the book Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg as our text for this study and practice group. We will go through this book chapter by chapter. Although there is much to be gained by studying each chapter in sequence, you are under no obligation to participate each time.
Please note that Level 1 is a pre-requisite to Level 2 for those who are new to our communities of practice. When Level 1 concludes, participants will receive an invitation to join us for Level 2.
Completed Level 1 sessions
Chapter 1 Part 1: Giving from the Heart
Wednesday, Oct. 19 & Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022
- Worksheet Chapter 1 Part 1: Giving from the Heart
- Video of the week, The Basics of Nonviolent Communication 1.2 with Marshall Rosenberg (9:10). Hear about the woman who hates to cook. (Trigger warning: Holocaust reference.)
- Group Agreements.
- Chapter 1,”Giving from the Heart,” in Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication
Chapter 1 Part 2: Giving from the Heart to Oneself
Wednesday, Nov, 2 & Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022
- Worksheet Chapter 1 Part 2: Giving from the Heart to Myself
- Chapter 1, “Giving from the Heart,” in Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication
Chapter 2: Communication that Blocks Compassion
Wednesday, Dec. 7 & Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, 7–8:30 pm CT
- Print or have ready: Worksheet Chapter 2: Barriers to Communication
- Chapter 2, “Communication that Blocks Compassion,” in Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication
Chapter 3: Observing without Evaluating
Wednesday, Jan. 4 & Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
- Print or have ready: Worksheet Chapter 3: Making Clear Observations
- Chapter 3, “Observing with Evaluating,” in Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication
Chapter 4: Identifying and Expressing Feelings
Wednesday, Jan. 18 & Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
- Print or have ready: Worksheet Chapter 4: Sorting Thoughts and Feelings
- Print or have ready: Handout Chapter 4: Thoughts Disguised as Feelings
- Chapter 4,”Identifying and Expressing Feelings,” in Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication
Chapter 5: Taking Responsibility for Our Feelings
Wednesday, Feb. 1 & Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
- Print or have ready: Worksheet Chapter 5: What’s Needed Here?
- Chapter 5,”Taking Responsibility for Our Feelings,” in Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication
Chapter 6, Part 1: Requesting That Which Would Enrich Life
Wednesday, Feb. 15 & Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
- Print or have ready: Worksheet Chapter 6, Part 1: The Three-Step or Four-Step Request
- Chapter 6, “Requesting That Which Would Enrich Life,” in Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication
Chapter 6, Part 2: Request or Demand?
Wednesday, March 1 & Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
- Print or have ready: Worksheet: Chapter 6, Part 2: Request or Demand?
- Chapter 6, “Requesting That Which Would Enrich Life,” in Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication
Upcoming Level 1 sessions
Preparation note: In most sessions, we will use the Feelings and Needs chart in our practice. Please have this chart handy. If you have “Grok Cards” from Grok the World, feel free to use those instead.
Chapter 6, Part 3: Mourning: When You Get a “No”
Wednesday, March 15 & Tuesday, March 28, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
How to prepare for this session:
- Print or have ready: Worksheet: Chapter 6, Part 3: Mourning: When You Get a “No”
- Read or review 6, “Requesting That Which Would Enrich Life,” in Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication if possible. (Come to the session even if you do not have a chance to read the chapter.)
- Watch the Video of the Week, The Toilet Seat Argument (10:53)
Chapter 7: Receiving Empathically
Wednesday, April 5 & Tuesday, April 11, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
How to prepare for this session:
- Print or have ready: Worksheet: Chapter 7: Would You Listen
- Watch the video (2:00): Why Empathy with Catherine Cadden
- Read or review Chapter 7, “Receiving Empathically,” in Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication if possible. (Come to the session even if you do not have a chance to read the chapter.)
Chapter 8: The Power of Empathy
Wednesday, April 19 and Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
How to prepare for this session:
- Print or have ready: Worksheet: Chapter 8: Witnessing with Presence
- Watch the video (5:12): NVC in Action: The Mugger
- Read or review Chapter 8, “The Power of Empathy,” in Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication if possible. (Come to the session even if you do not have a chance to read the chapter.)
Chapter 9, Part 1: Connecting Compassionately with Ourselves
Wednesday, May 3 & Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
How to prepare for this session:
- Print or have ready: Worksheet: Chapter 9, Pt 1: Self-Forgiveness When I’m Not Perfect
- Read or review Chapter 9, Connecting Compassionately with Ourselves,” in Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication if possible. (Come to the session even if you do not have a chance to read the chapter.)
Chapter 9, Part 2: Connecting Compassionately with Ourselves
Wednesday, May 17 & Tuesday, May 23. 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
How to prepare for this session:
- Print or have ready: Worksheet: Chapter 9, Pt 2: Have To vs. Choose To
- Read or review Chapter 9, “Connecting Compassionately with Ourselves,” in Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication if possible. (Come to the session even if you do not have a chance to read the chapter.)
Chapter 10: Expressing Anger Fully
Wednesday, June 7 & Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
How to prepare for this session:
- Print or have ready: Worksheet: Chapter 10: You made me angry! Welcoming the Jackals
- Read or review Chapter 10, “Expressing Anger Fully,” in Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication if possible. (Come to the session even if you do not have a chance to read the chapter.)
Chapter 11 or 12: The Protective Use of Force
Wednesday, June 21 & Tuesday, June 27. 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
How to prepare for this session:
- Worksheet: Chapter 11 or 12: To come
- Read or review Chapter 11 (2nd edition) or 12 (3rd edition),”The Protective Use of Force,” in Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication if possible. (Come to the session even if you do not have a chance to read the chapter.)
Chapter 12 or 13, Part 1: Liberating Ourselves and Counseling Others
Wednesday, July 5 & Tuesday, July 11, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
How to prepare for this session:
- Print or have ready: Worksheet: Chapter 12 or 13: Where Do I Put My Attention: Life or Pain?
- Read or review Chapter 12 (2nd edition) or 13 (3rd edition), “Liberating Ourselves and Counseling Others,” in Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication if possible. (Come to the session even if you do not have a chance to read the chapter.)
Chapter 12 or 13, Part 2: Liberating Ourselves and Counseling Others
Wednesday, July 19 & Tuesday, July 25, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
How to prepare for this session:
- Print or have ready: Worksheet: Chapter 12 or 13: Where Do I Put My Attention: Life or Pain?
- Read or review Chapter 12 (2nd edition) or 13 (3rd edition), “Liberating Ourselves and Counseling Others,” in Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication if possible. (Come to the session even if you do not have a chance to read the chapter.)
Chapter 13 or 14: Expressing Appreciation in Nonviolent Communication
Wednesday, Aug. 2 & Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
How to prepare for this session:
- Print or have ready: Worksheet: Chapter 13 or 14: Expressing and Receiving Gratitude
- Read or review Chapter 13 (2nd edition) or 14 (3rd edition),”Expressing Appreciation in Nonviolent Communication,” in Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication if possible. (Come to the session even if you do not have a chance to read the chapter.)
Level 2: Moving from doing NVC to being NVC
Offered the first and third Thursday of the month, 7–8:30 pm Central Time (CT)
In the Level 2 practice sessions, we will continue to develop our understanding through the lens of NVC and conscious communication. The curriculum is based primarily on the work of Marshall Rosenberg and Robert Gonzales, founder of the Center for Living Compassion and author of Reflections on Living Compassion.
We will practice staying present and grounded in self-connection and self-responsibility. This can bring clarity to our choices.
Please note that completion of Level 1 is a pre-requisite to Level 2, regardless of one’s prior experience elsewhere with NVC. In order to explore the embodied practice of Level 2, we will rely on the shared vocabulary and experiences of Level 1 as a foundation.
Completed Level 2 sessions
Welcome to Level 2: What Do You Want to Learn?
Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, 7–8:30 pm CT
Level 2: Beauty of the Need
Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, 7–8:30 pm CT
Level 2: Jackal Party: Reveal & Connect
Thursday, Nov. 3 & Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, 7–8:30 pm CT
Level 2: Awakening
Thursday, Dec. 1 & Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, 7–8:30 pm CT
Level 2: Thursday, Jan. 5 & Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
Mapping Role Plays: Making the Unconscious Conscious
Level 2: Beauty of the Need
Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
Level 2: Awakening
Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
Upcoming Level 2 sessions
Level 2: Thursday, March 2 & Thursday, March 16, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
NVC Role Play for Jackals
How to prepare for this session:
- Print or have ready: Worksheet: NVC Role Play for Jackals
Level 2: Thursday, April 6 & Thursday, April 20, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
Level 2: Thursday, May 4 & Thursday, May 18, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
Level 2: Thursday, June 1 & Thursday, June 15, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
Level 2: Thursday, July 6 & Thursday, July 20, 2023, 7–8:30 pm CT
Continuing Conscious Communication Community of Practice
Offered the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, 7–8:30 pm Central Time (CT)
This practice group is intended for experienced practitioners who have completed at least a year of NVC practice with a group or the equivalent. We assume knowledge of the basic principles, steps and parts of NVC, as well as practice applying these in your own life.
Unlike Level 1 and Level 2 practice groups, these sessions do not follow a set curriculum or follow a single text. We may choose to explore a key concept together, or we may engage in a practice suggested by a group member.
If you would like to participate in our Continuing Practice Group, please contact us for more details and to be added to the mailing list.
Practice Groups Based Elsewhere
For information on other practice groups meeting in Wisconsin, please visit the website for the Wisconsin Empathy Guild.
The Center for Nonviolent Communication provides of list of practice groups that are practicing Marshall Rosenberg’s principles of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) throughout the world.
How to Join Us Using Zoom
Three ways to join:
- Click on: Join Zoom Meeting
- Click on: http://zoom.us (Meeting ID 605-813-6586)
- One tap mobile:
+13017158592, 6058136586# US (Germantown)
+13126266799, 6058136586# US (Chicago)
Sign in early (at 6:45 pm) to familiarize yourself with the basic functions of Zoom. You may have to download Zoom in order to enter the meeting. If the “join meeting” button doesn’t work, look below it for a link to download.