Join Our Fall Retreat, October 2026

***You came to NVC to learn* *how to communicate with others more effectively...***

What if the real work starts inside?

Bring compassion & care to old pain, persistent patterns, and your inner-critic.

Most people learn Nonviolent Communication because something "out there" isn't working -- a conversation, a relationship, or a work situation.

The basics of feelings & needs help. And yet — somethings things still feel stuck. We keep having the same arguments. We keep getting triggered.

If you've hit that wall, it means it's time to go deeper.

This retreat is about exploring that deeper place where true change takes root.

Guided by NVC Certified Trainers, Kristin Masters & Mary Goyer, this multi-day retreat takes you beyond the conversational model of NVC and into the inner landscape where lasting change actually lives — Self-Empathy, stretched to its full potential.

A retreat in the redwoods for practitioners ready to go deeper.

💬 Self-Empathy Beyond the Basics

^{Learn to bring compassion to all that's underneath feelings and needs — the recurring patterns, the stuck stories, and the chronically unmet needs. We'll unpack Self-Empathy as a full practice, not just a step in a process.}

🔁 Breaking the Patterns That Keep Repeating

^{Why do the same dynamics keep showing up — in various relationships and situations? We'll work with the inner patterns that fuel our outer ones, offer empowering lens shifts.}

🔥 Triggers and What They're Really About

^{A trigger isn't just a problem to manage — it's information. We'll learn to slow down, get curious about what's firing, and meet ourselves with something other than shame.}

🧠 Working with Small "t" and Big "T" Trauma

^{We'll gently explore how NVC intersects with trauma awareness, so you can bring more compassion and healing to your own history without getting swamped by it.}

🛑 Over-functioning & Burnout

^{If you always the one to hold it together and white-knuckling life — certain needs are likely at play. Learn what drives chronic over-functioning and how to circle back to yourself before hitting "empty."}

🐺 Your Inner Jackals

^{Noisy voices from the self-critic can make it hard to hear needs. We'll work directly with these parts — not to silence them, but to understand and tend what they're trying to protect.}

Click Here for More Details

Whole-Body Nourishment

🍂 Deep Practice, Real Application

This isn't a lecture or a workshop. Engage in interactive exercises, role-plays, and real-life scenarios to heal, all within a supportive community you'll fall in love with.

🍂 Skilled Facilitation

Mary and Kristin bring years of NVC experience, clinical training, and deep personal practice to this work. You'll be held with warmth, expertise, and gentle playfulness.

🍂 Time in Nature

The redwoods do something to a person. Hikes, unstructured time, journaling on a quiet trail — it's built into the rhythm of each day.

🍂 Creative Exploration

Art, music, and reflective practices deepen what can't be processed through words alone.

🍂 Nourishing Meals

Wholesome meals prepared by our onsite chef, with many dietary accommodations available.

Mon Oct 5th-Thur Oct 8th 2026, in Ben Lomand CA

Each day follows a gentle rhythm: deep practice in the mornings, integration and nature options in the afternoons, community and play in the evenings.

Programming starts Monday morning at 10am and ends Thursday at 4pm.

Choose from three accommodation options designed to support more accessibility for participants.

We’re committed to making this retreat as accessible as possible. Space for camping and limited scholarship funds can be requested by emailing us directly.

Single Occupancy Rooms

$1325

One person to a room, shared bath
3 meals/day included

Double Occupancy Rooms

$925

Two people to a room, shared bath
3 meals/day included

Commuters Only

$680

Stay offsite and join us for all programming
2 meals/day included (no breakfast)

This is your opportunity to step into a new way of communicating—one that fosters connection, empathy, and understanding.

Spaces are filling quickly—don’t wait to reserve your spot.

❤️ With love,

Mary & Kristin

The inner work is where you start really getting traction with NVC. But you don't have to do it alone. Let us help you.

Spaces are limited — don't wait to reserve yours.