From Here to Empathy: 2024 Weekend Retreat

NVC was developed in the 1960s and has since spread worldwide as a powerful tool for conflict prevention and resolution, peacebuilding, personal growth, and relationship enhancement. It begins by assuming that we are all compassionate by nature and that judgmental, damaging strategies — whether verbal or physical, aimed at others or at ourselves — are learned behaviors taught and supported by the prevailing culture. NVC also assumes that we all share the same basic natural human needs, and that our verbal and physical actions are always attempts to meet these needs; our troubles arise from tragic, nonfunctional strategies. People who practice NVC have found greater authenticity in their communication, increased understanding, and deepening connection.

About a half-hour’s drive north of Missoula, our beautiful venue is on private land outside of Arlee, on the Flathead Reservation and the Jocko River. Classes will be in a 30-foot-diameter yurt, heated with a wood stove, in a valley beneath the Mission Mountains. Weather permitting, we may be outside as well. There is also a lovely big log house, where we will use the kitchen, dining room, and a few bedrooms. Most attendees will either camp or commute.

The NVC material will include an overview of the model, lots of dyads and small group experiential practice, handouts of supportive graphics, use of audio-visual aids (puppets!), and open discussion and problem-solving. There will also be an intro to, and applications of NVC to, the practice of Yoga Nidra, which is a conscious relaxation model. Finally, we will briefly explore the application of NVC concepts to movement and dance (not scary, I promise!).

My website, StressSolutions.com, has links to many resources on the “Services – About the Model” page. Reading books and watching YouTube videos of Marshall Rosenberg are highly recommended, just to get your wheels greased. I also have several of my own Intro presentations posted there, which can give you a sense of my style, although these were online and not IRL. The more you know coming in, the deeper you can take this weekend’s material. 

We begin on Friday evening, 5 – 8 pm. Saturday will be 10 am – 6 pm with an hour off for lunch, and Sunday will be 10 am – 1 pm, with an optional potluck lunch to close.
Saturday and Sunday mornings there will be an optional guided yoga with meditation practice 7:30 – 8:30 am (yurt sleepers are up and out at 7!), followed by a potluck breakfast.

Every meal will be an opportunity to dine in community (potluck), or you can bring your own food. Meals will be in the big log house a few steps away from the yurt, where there is refrigeration, a stove, counter space, and a big dining table. Saturday lunch is for everyone, and all other meals are optional, depending on whether you are commuting or staying over, and on your preferences. In addition, we will provide a giant pot of soup, 24/7! Snacks to share are also encouraged.

There are three bedrooms in the house that are available to rent (first come first served); these all come with bedding unless you want to bring your own. The large downstairs room with a Queen bed (2 people max) is semi-open to the kitchen area, so there will be some traffic nearby. The upstairs has two separate bedrooms that each have one Twin bed. Camping in your own tent or on the floor of the yurt are the other options. (If in the yurt, must be up and out by 7 am, please, for yoga and meditation to start at 7:30.) Most people will either camp or commute.

There is a porta-potty that we ask you to primarily use, so as not to strain the home system. Washing up will be simple; no long hot showers this weekend, sorry! On the other hand, the Jocko River is right there, ready for your cold plunge!

Licensed behavioral health and some other professionals (LCPC, LMFT, LAC, LCSW, LMT, etc.) who need CEs can sign up for certification of 12 hours of supervised training. Montana’s boards leave it to the discretion of the licensee as to whether the course material meets their requirements; there is no certification available of a course or a provider. I (Tina Taylor, the provider) do have my RN license and MS in Counseling (qualifiers) and can provide you with a syllabus and CE Certificate, if registered for. Different licenses have different documentation requirements; please check with your Board and let me know in advance exactly what you need from me.

I am offering one scholarship for free tuition, if the retreat fills (there are 20 spaces). If you would like to be considered for it, please mark this on your registration, and email me a description of your situation. The other charges would still apply.