I have always been struck by the importance of getting heard: it is such a deep human need. I am an Occupational Therapist and worked for 20 years as a Local Area Coordinator in disability services. My roles have included counselling, group facilitation, team leadership and community development projects.   I am also married, a mother of four and a grandmother.

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is the most effective tool I have come across in all my years of working in human services:

• I find it wonderfully clarifying at work when I am supporting people in difficulty, and I’m often surprised by the “magic” that comes from quality listening.
• I love having effective strategies to help every person have a voice in meetings and groups.
• NVC has been transformative in my family: dissolving conflicts, easing difficult conversations and supporting our children to become confident communicators and wise decision-makers.

I have been teaching NVC since 2005, working with local communities and organisations as diverse as Bidyadanga Remote Community School, Fitzroy Crossing Women’s Centre, WA Council of Social Service, the Mental Illness Fellowship of WA, TAFE Colleges and Fremantle Health Service. In 2014 I had the privilege of presenting NVC trainings to university staff and community peace workers in Sri Lanka, and I have presented sessions at several NVC International Intensive Trainings.