Surviving the Holiday Season: 

Navigating Family Conflict

December 12, 2009 - 9am-4pm & December 13, 2009 – 9am – 2pm

What is it about the holiday season that brings out the worst in family conflicts?  Is it possible to have a holiday without screaming, pouting and fighting?  The answer is YES! This two-day intensive workshop in Nonviolent Communication is designed to help participants learn new ways of dealing with family conflicts.

• Participants in this workshop will explore the roots of conflict and how we can respond to those we love with compassion rather than anger or sarcasm. 

• Learn to clearly express your needs in a way your family will hear.

• Create more intimacy in your relationships.

• Gain concrete skills to navigate holiday gatherings with ease and joy.

On Day 1:  Participants will learn the basics of Nonviolent Communication using their own family conflicts.   Through lecture, interactive exercises, role plays and videos, participants will learn to express what is alive in them honestly without the use of guilt, shame or sarcasm.  They will also learn to respond to others in ways that de-escalate conflict rather than fuel the fire.

On Day 2:  Participants will learn to leave behind the enemy images of family members that lead to conflicts.   They will practice empathetic listening to hear what is alive in others while still remaining true to themselves.   Through exercises, games and discussion participants will explore using NVC to communicate in ways that bring the joy back to the holidays.

About the presenter:  Twice the victim of violent crimes, Joe Brummer has spent years exploring why people commit acts of violence against others.  He has studied nonviolence, conflict resolution and clocked hundreds of hours at the mediation table.    He has worked with the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence to bring nonviolence to youth in schools, studied with the Community Mediation Center of RI and serves on their Juvenile Restorative Justice Advisory Board.  In the Winter 2008, Joe attended the International Intensive Training on Nonviolent Communication.   Joe is also the Connecticut representative for New England NVC.

Registration: Registration is open to the public.  Seating is limited.  The requested fee for both days is $140.00.  The requested fee for just day 1 is 99.00.   Those with advanced NVC skills or have attended previous NVC Workshops may attend day 2 only for a requested fee of $49.00.  Training fee includes lunch and materials.

Location: 32 Elm Street, New Haven, CT (parking is available in lot)

To Register online: www.community-mediation.org  or call: (203) 782-3500

Sponsored by Community Mediation, Inc.