Testimonials
“Over years, and decades now, you set so many examples through your words and actions that are making this world a better place. I am grateful that you are here, Elia.” —Student
"Perspective shift of not just viewing boundaries from the "no" but also illuminating the yes!" —Portland, OR Couple
"I truly loved learning about what is and isn't empathy—and I can't wait to start making empathy my default response in addition to what I naturally do to help others." —Couple from Portland, OR
"Working with my partner to understand how to communicate when they are experiencing reactivity improved our ability to connect even in when we are in a reactive state." —Portland, OR Couple
“Recently I shared with a friend how distinctly inspirational you are and how strong you are--including your presence with, and triumph over, the very challenging cancer you experienced. I have a great sense that your strength is not only physical but also social... I and others were so uplifted to see and learn of the huge community of support you marshaled simply by being you... and asking for help—in your authentic way.” —Student
“Your teachings about—and encouragement of—self-empathy are learnings I consider and contemplate almost every day.” —Student
“My wife and I have been together for 12 years now, and for the last eight years we've been consciously trying to improve our communication. We've taken workshops, gone to therapists, and read books. We learned a lot, and improved a lot, and yet... it all seemed to stay at the level of 'technique.'
After working with you, and the way that you don't just teach, but you embody how to communicate, you transmit it, if you'll permit me the term, all of those techniques just fell into place. I feel like I finally digested 8 years worth of meals.
No matter how challenging the situation, my wife and I can now communicate in a way that deepens our intimacy and trust, instead of tearing it apart. It's just amazing to have a fun life now, without the struggle and arguments that we used to have so often. Ahhh....”
—Mark Silver, Portland, OR
“I really appreciated the combination of Elia’s NVC expertise with Jeremy’s body centered nourishing resources, It was a very effective combination for my body, heart, and mind.” —Workshop Participant
“The experiential exercises were incredibly informative and useful. I think that my tool box has swelled exponentially.” —Workshop Participant
“I wasn't sure I wanted to invest more money into communication training with my wife. The thought crossed my mind that perhaps a vacation to the ocean would be more beneficial than a 6 week couples training. Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong. The tools Elia shared with my wife and me created more connection and a deeper level of understanding. Elia is a gifted trainer and was able to easily move us through conversations that would normally have exploded like dynamite. If you're tired of running into the same walls with your partner and ready to have a breakthrough with parenting, money, or sex, I highly recommend working with Elia.”
—Jason Stein, Portland OR
“Thank you Thank you Thank you You have been one of my guiding beacons for years now.
The work I have done with you had created guardrails and helped me find a way to have deeper empathy and self empathy for many years. We need it now more than ever. Wise. Heart. Indeed.”
—Student
“My wife and I have been married for almost nine years and together for fifteen. Overall, our relationship is healthy and loving. We really care for each other. Still, there are times when we see things differently and those times were fairly tough to work through. NVC, as guided by LaShelle, has given us a whole new language to use with each other without the triggers that used to lock us into our individual positions. We now understand and have compassion for our own and each others’ jackal voices and thoughts. I personally have a whole new vocabulary of feelings I am becoming more and more capable of getting in touch with and expressing.
Working with Elia, guiding us and watching her guide others through tough issues has been incredibly helpful. She is so fluent and insightful – a wonderful model to learn from and emulate. Her warm and compassionate way of leading our group always creates the safety it takes to risk being vulnerable. As a result of LaShelle’s class our relationship has reached a new depth and intimacy and isn’t that what it’s all about?”
—Dan & Claudia Duggan, Beaverton, OR
“Thank you for the deep insight, kindness, and encouragement you offer so freely. This is hard work, but you provide a gentle holding space that makes it possible. I think you are providing an invaluable service to our community and to the world!” —Student
“I can categorically say that our marriage is stronger after having taken your classes.” —Student, Portland OR
“I am forever grateful to you for inspiring my husband who now really GETS NVC and is interested in pursuing it.” —Deb Thornton, Portland, OR
“I just want to say thank you for your insights and helpful support. I've been reading your emails for years and years and they are always grounding.” —Student
“Elia, I appreciate how connected you are to your source, how gentle you are with the people you work with and how succinct your observations and suggestions are. You are truly walking YOUR path. It is inspiring to witness and amazing to be the recipient of your gifts and talents.” —Student
“Elia, I just want to tell you that I love, love, love these gems! Your voice, your conversational and practical style is always spot on. Always insightful and educational. You truly serve the world in an important way! I’ve forwarded these so many times… but most often it seems perfectly timed for something in my life. Thank you!” —Mikki
“There are so many aspects of your giving & knowing (what a combination!) that enriched my life in 2019... and that have helped me across the whole 2010's decade... (Your unbiased, attentive listening and clarifications / teachings about needs and strategies-to-meet-needs helped me. Your techniques of compassionate communication and further education and couples-counseling on differentiating needs and strategies helped me and my then-girlfriend (now my dear wife of 3 years :-) to understand / appreciate ourselves and each other better and to create new possibilities in our living arrangements & co-existence that neither of us had thought to imagine before you educated and coached us.” —Student
“You are such an inspiration! There is a deep happiness overflowing inside of me by knowing you and witnessing your working in the world.” —Student
“Elia, your teaching of the NVC wisdom is easily digested and easily grasped—and essential for transforming our lives... I love your work and thank u.” —Michelle from Australia
“I feel a deep appreciation for the presence, integrity, & skill that Elia offers and am so grateful to have experienced this work.” —Workshop Participant, Portland OR
“I took the Bringing Light to Shame class that started in September of 2015. My experience of shame has fundamentally changed as a result. It isn’t that I no longer experience shame, I do. It just doesn’t have the same hold on me. It comes and goes much more quickly, and more often I experience a sense of regret for my choices, actions or words. More often I’ll now feel badly about what I’ve done rather than who I am. The experience of regret is more manageable and productive for me being that it often leads to a strategy to change course. The feeling of shame has felt paralyzing to me in the past. When I feel ashamed now, I know that I’ve behaved in a way that isn’t congruent with my values, and I can translate that into feelings and needs, and requests of myself and others. This was the first class I took with Elia and I have never looked back. I continue to sign up for one class or group after another. I highly recommend Elia’s classes as an opportunity for growth, learning, and healing. I am deeply appreciative of her guidance and mentoring as I continue to deepen my practice of NVC.” —Dedicated Student
“Yes, we crashed when we got home from the workshop! However, it was a watershed moment for me actually and has now led to what feels like a very different relationship. The workshop's emphasis on triggers and how to proceed once the trigger begins has been a game changer. Both of us are doing well and it seems we are both looking and experiencing ourselves in a different way!! Wow.
I'm feeling excited because of growth and awareness needs!”
—Supported Couple from Bend, OR
“Connection and new insight with one another brought more intimacy and love.” —Supported Couple
“Elia... you continue to pack such a potent and positive punch in the fewest words necessary to make profound and memorable points. Thank you for your ongoing service to so many.” —Steve
“Just listening to Elia speak from an NVC consciousness, I can feel my brain cells being rearranged. It’s so important for me to live the values of compassion and honesty. LaShelle has helped me get to a whole new level of understanding about how I can be honest and come from compassion.” —Holly Glaser
“I've been meaning to tell you how much I appreciate that you take the time to write these little "gems" every week or so. I always read them and I learn something from the experience. It meets my need for being a better communicator. Your insights feel right on the mark, and as I'll bet you hear often, feel as if you've written them just for me. I'm grateful to you for taking the time to put them together and appreciate your gift of expression.” —David Romanetti, Portland, OR
“I am continually impressed by Elia’s ability to go to the heart of an issue and speak with clarity and insight.” —Dee Packard, Portland, OR
“I highly recommend Elia’s classes. She is very organized—with helpful and comprehensive handouts.
You can sign up for her weekly blog—"Connection Gem of the Week" and get a taste of her style.
I have found the mentoring series to be invaluable. It was good to learn and practice NVC in a class with Elia. But, the mentoring sessions take the practice deeper and farther. In a small group of 6 or 7 we each brought a practice edge—a communication conundrum to the class. Elia then gave specific do-able ideas about how to work with each situation in a more skillful way. I was able to learn lots and lots of new ways of looking at communication by hearing about my classmates' queries. We practiced by role playing with each other.”
—Sandra Burch
"We were able to appreciate each other in ways that we were not aware we were supporting the other." —Portland, Oregon Couple
“Hi Elia, I wanted you to know how much I appreciate your work—I so appreciate, and am moved by your skill in placing your compassionate, intelligent focus on our human heart connection with each other. Your insight has really helped me be better able to contain other people in my heart, and to be more compassionate and understanding of their needs, and my own.
Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I appreciate your good and important work—thank you!”
—From your biggest fan, Carl
“Thank you for helping me save my relationships.” —Student, Portland, OR
“Elia, you are an amazing example of a compassionate & authentic presence and communicator.” —Student
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