Wendel Zwaal
Trainer
I experience NVC as the compass I always longed for after many years of feeling lost, disconnected and depressed.
After being orphaned at birth in South Korea, being adopted in the Netherlands, the divorce of my parents, emigration of my father and passing away of my mother all before reaching adulthood, I taught myself to focus on other people’s needs and to avoid conflict. I was clueless of my own needs in this world, which resulted in living with depression, anxiety and PTSD.
NVC supports me to navigate life with compassion and empathy, to connect with myself and others, and to be with what is.
Sharing NVC in my passion in life – to be able to pass on what I’ve learned to reduce suffering and to increase connection and compassion brings meaning to my life. I also offer private sessions and mediations in English and Dutch.
I’m married and a mother of two small human beings. My kids are my inspiration to contribute to building a compassionate world, beyond right and wrong.
Languages: English, Dutch.
Wendel’s steady and compassionate mediation during a heavily loaded discussion between my partner and me, provided us with the space to breathe and talk through difficult emotions, while at the same time giving us the gift of fresh insights. Wendel gave empathy precisely where it was needed, and spoke our own ‘jackal’ language to help us both feel completely heard and understood. We are forever grateful to Wendel for the positive and lasting influence she has had on our relationship.
R.S
Wendel immediately gave me the confidence to know that even challenging, unpleasant emotions are welcome in the context of NVC training. She did this both through the uncompromising nature of her presence and by literally stating it and – especially – by embodying it. This was enormously reassuring. Wendel dares to experience challenging feelings and she dares to show and share them, and as a result I dared to do it too. Her way of listening made me realise for the first time that these emotions don’t have to be harmful to someone else, despite what I’d assumed for a long time.
M.S.
Wendel is a calm, straightforward listener. She is present and empathic, without getting caught up in my drama; she asks questions that bring clarity, without me feeling that I’m being steered in any particular direction. After the session I experienced more peace and clarity within myself.
R.A.
This course has been a life changing experience. I am forever grateful for Wendel’s warmth, compassion, and generous approach to helping people get better at communicating in a nonviolent way
A.S
