Courses
Basic: Communication with Compassion
In this course you will experience how easily ‘violence’ can slip into our daily conversations and what effect compassion can have on our communication. You will also experience how hard it is to observe without evaluating. And how clarifying and healing it can be to focus on what others and yourself are feeling and needing. You will also learn how to formulate clear requests that inspire understanding and cooperation.
Basic: Unconditional Parenting
After this course you will be able to apply the Nonviolent Communication model in challenging situations with your children. You will have experienced how you can put the needs of your child first without forgetting your own boundaries. And you will have practised asking for what you need withgout using force, guilt, fear or shame. You will also have learned how to stay present through difficult emotions with respect and compassion for your child.
Intermediate: Empathy and Self Compassion
After this course you will be able to react more compassionately towards yourself, keep your inner peace when emotions run high and you will have more skills to handle triggers. You will be able to feel how much space you have for the other person and state your boundaries without causing hurt. You will learn how to take responsibility for your own feelings and needs. You will also practice the art of making requests that lead to more understanding and connection.
Advanced: Compassion in Conflicts
In this course you will learn how to use the Nonviolent Communication model during conflicts with your family, friends and others. You will also learn how to take the perspective of the other person more easily. And you will practice authentic dialogue (smoothly alternating honest expression with empathic listening) while staying connected with yourself. So that you can move from (seemingly) conflicting interests to solutions that work for everyone.
The mission
I have a dream. I dream of a world full of Gandhi's, Mandela's and Dalai Lama's. And I think this dream can come true if more people can learn a language of respectful connection and compassion: Nonviolent Communication.
It is not easy to learn a completely new language. I will probably always speak it with an accent. But my children will certainly be more fluent than I am. And for my grandchildren, hopefully it will be like their mother tongue. I see what I do as throwing a little pebble into the ocean, in hopes that the ripple effect will ultimately result in big waves.
It is my mission to help parents and professional caretakers develop personal leadership skills. So that they can increasingly become less reactive and make more conscious choices in their daily interactions with children. I'm hoping to achieve this by offering Training Courses, Workshops, Private Sessions and a Practice Group.
Learning, practicing and experiencing together in a small group
Interactive and inspiring sessions for larger groups
Personal coaching, empathy sessions and mediation
Free practice group sessions for practitioners
Our Team

Astara Lieuw-On

Pepijn Koenders

Thibo Koenders
