Description

In this workshop participants identify a painful conversation in their life, present it in a different unrelated context (while keeping the same emotional charge of their conversation), and have two other participants role play this conversation. 

Key points

Different context for a conversation. By coming up with a different, even bizarre context that represents their conversation, participants can deal with their most intimate conversations without others knowing what the real conversation is about. Not only it provides privacy for the participants, it also gives freedom for the “actors” who will role play the conversation, since they don’t need to worry about the “touchy” subjects. Another benefit of presenting a conversation in a different context is creating a metaphor for a conversation, a different perspective, even this process alone can be healing for some participants.

Role play. Role playing the conversation by two other people allows the author of the conversation to see not only their own side but also the other side. Also, each participant brings their own into the role play and it opens up different ways to operate for the author of the conversation. 

Nonviolent communication. Nonviolent communication is the used as a  conflict resolution strategy in the role play. It is based on a simple premise that any negative emotion has underlining unmet need. By allowing “actors” recognize their emotions and their needs and share with each other, the conversation can move easier to the resolution.