Autumn Retreat 2nd Edition
Thriving together: NVC and Close relationship.
A 5-Day NVC Immersion
13th -18th October 2026
What's the secret to a healthy, growing intimate relationship? Join us to delve into the core principles of Nonviolent Communication. Discover practical ways to express your truth with honesty and listen with deep empathy, creating a resilient connection that not only survives but flourishes, rooted in love and mutual understanding.
Who is this retreat for?
This immersive retreat is designed for those who want to move beyond the theory of NVC and embody its spirit in daily life.
Individuals seeking a kinder, more compassionate relationship with themselves and their "inner critics."
Couples and Family Members looking to transform recurring conflicts into opportunities for deeper intimacy.
Professionals and Leaders who want to foster a culture of collaboration, radical honesty, and mutual respect in the workplace.
Intermediate NVC Practitioners( who want a safe, guided space to practice "scary honesty".
What you can expect on this retreat
You will leave the retreat with a clearer understanding on how to apply NVC in your everyday life. You will deepen your awareness on how to nourish the relationships that are important to you.
Practice your self-Empathy skills to find your center even when triggered, so you can move from "reactivity" to "resourcefulness."
Learn how to break deadlocks and move through "empathy collisions" when emotional fuel is low.
Develop confidence to set clear boundaries and hear "No" from others without losing connection.
Learn how to express yourself with honesty and authenticity
Explore gratitude as a practice: to celebrate contribution and nourish life through genuine appreciation.
Outline:
We will build up from from the Self (Days 1–2) to Conflict (Day 3) to Relationships (Days 4–5)
Day 1: Arrival and Laying the Foundation
We begin by weaving our community together. We’ll establish our focus and explore the Languages of Love, discovering how we uniquely give and receive affection and appreciation.
Day 2: The Power of Presence
True connection starts within. We explore the Tree of Compassionate Connection, focusing on the vital role of self-empathy. Learn how presence and self-connection create the fertile ground needed to meet everyone’s needs.
Day 3: Transforming Triggers & Deadlocks
Learn to welcome your "inner jackal" with curiosity rather than judgment. We will look at our biological responses to stress—fight, flight, and freeze—and practice how to break through conflict deadlocks using powerful, heart-centered connection requests.
Day 4: The Freedom of ‘No’ & ‘Scary Honesty’
What would your life look like if you weren't afraid of the word "No"? We’ll explore why demands are an "expensive currency" and practice the art of Scary Honesty—speaking your truth with such vulnerability that it invites connection rather than defense.
Day 5: The Art of Expressing Love
Today is a celebration of contribution. We dive deeper into how to say "I love you" through NVC-style gratitude and self-expression. We will explore "time travel" (healing past moments), the joy of giving freely, and the clarity of consent-based decision-making.
Day 6: Integration, Departure & New Beginnings
In our final session, we gather our takeaways and review the journey. We depart not just with new skills, but with a renewed spirit, ready to bring more empathy and authenticity into our daily lives
The Venue
Cal Viso is an eighteenth century farmhouse located in the heart of Catalunya, only one hour from Barcelona, Girona and Andorra. The natural surroundings, with beautiful views of the peaceful Catalan countryside will invite you to feel a sense of space and inner peace.
The Food
We will be catered for by our chef Alba. She will provide us with vegetarianmeals with adapatations as needed. Food is included in the fee.
The trainer
Gesine Schrader
Gesine is a certified trainer by the Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC).
For the past nine years she has been facilitating NVC events, accompanied sometimes by Certified Trainer, Shantigarbha, in the U.K., India, the USA, and Germany. Gesine is passionate about her work and how it encourages self-development, conflict resolution, and community building. She is actively involved in different kinds of NVC projects, for example, supporting a home school and a community orchard in Bristol, offering nonviolent clowning in cooperation with Holly Stoppit (clown therapy), and Embodied NVC in cooperation with Filip Kijowski (dance choreographer). When she is not working, Gesine enjoys being out in nature, whether that is going for walks, wild swims, or doing projects in the garden.
The Trainer Assistant
Delia Aguila
Delia Aguila is a social worker, trainer, and facilitator with a feminist and intersectional perspective, currently in the process of certification as a Nonviolent Communication facilitator with CNVC.
Delia is passionate about creating spaces where people can feel safe, authentic, and connected. Her practice is trauma-informed and draws on social work, improvisational theatre, restorative practices, and participatory processes, with a strong focus on communication and awareness of power dynamics.
Delia participated in Seeds of Peace’s year-long NVC training, a deeply transformative experience that enriched both her personal and professional life, supporting her to cultivate deeper self-connection, compassion, and presence. In 2025, she co-created the first immersive NVC retreat with Gesine.
Delia and Joan are hosting this autumn retreat in their home city of Barcelona, and are delighted to welcome participants into a space of connection, learning, and shared practice
7 Early bird spaces available
7 Early bird spaces available
We have limited early bird places at 800€ and the retreat is also offered on a sliding scale 1000€ - 1500€
You’re invited to choose the amount that feels right for you, considering both your financial situation and the sustainability of the project. Contributing above the minimum within the sliding scale helps make the retreat accessible to those with fewer resources and supports the organisers in continuing this work.
Fees includes training, accommodation, food, and training materials including a printed handout. Your travel is at your own cost.
Instalment option also available and payment plans!
Cancellation policy:
60+ days before the retreat start date: Full refund of the booking fee.
30-59 days before the retreat start date: 50% refund of the booking fee.
0-29 days before the retreat start date: No refund of the booking fee.
No-Show Policy: If a guest fails to arrive on the scheduled arrival date without prior cancellation, the full booking amount will be forfeited.
Cancellation Process:To initiate a cancellation, please send an email to delia.aguila@gmail.com (including the reason for cancellation, if possible). We will promptly provide further instructions via email.
Transfer: In special circumstances, you can transfer your registration to someone else. Kindly email us at delia.aguila@gmail.com and our team will contact you. We will not consider any cancellation or transfer if you do not inform us.
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