Anna Garbacz is a developmental psychologist who has practiced Nonviolent Communication (NVC) since 2009. Her first teacher and friend among NVC coaches is Eva Rambala, a close associate of Marshall Rosenberg. “Eva showed me the healing power of empathy,” Anna reflects. “She taught me that deep understanding and satisfactory cooperation can be achieved regardless of differences in perception of reality, opinions, views or religion.”

NVC mediation is Anna’s passion. She has completed the Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC) Intensive Mediation Course three times, and took her first steps as a mediator in England at the Foundation of Social Mediators, dealing with neighborly and family conflicts. In the U.K., she continued her NVC studies and met her future Assessor, Gina Lawrie, becoming “fascinated by NVC Dance Floors. Gina has taught me to express myself clearly with dignity, and the NVC Dance Floors make it easy for me to learn to follow various NVC processes, e.g. empathy for myself, expressing myself, refusing, making decisions.”

“Currently, my undisputed guide to the world of Nonviolent Communication, the trainer with whom I spend the most time — Father Christlin Rajendram — a certified NVC trainer, Jesuit, and friend of Marshall Rosenberg,” Anna says. “He helped me integrate nonviolent understanding with the Christian faith. As the founder of the House of Peace, an orphanage in postwar Sri Lanka, he is a source of inspiration for me, among others, in my relationship with children.”