What If Peace Were Possible?
With Nonviolent Communication, we can access inner self-connection and conflict resolution—to experience more fun, flow and play—in all areas of life.
Hi, I’m Karen Starz
I believe that all people can learn to connect with their feelings and get their needs met.
I’m a consultant, coach, speaker, facilitator and CNVC Certified Trainer, and I bring this work to individuals, organizations and communities.
A portion of my work centers around transforming Indigenous and underserved communities, because these are the roots of my Mother and there is so much pain and trauma within them. They are also the originators of a circle process and how to dialogue and listen deeply to coexist with people and nature. This lineage informs my particular approach to Nonviolent Communication.
I have a rich faith. The process of nonviolent communication is practical spirituality to me and and it pains me to see spiritual communities fighting/firing/separating over “right and wrong”. Therefore, helping spiritual communities supplement their beliefs with a concrete, doable process—like NVC—is what I find inspiring.
I see us all of us as one, and I admire communities that express a sense of “we-ness” in collaborative, restoration and imagination. I aim to live in power-with these communities as I guide them in learning.
I see businesses and organizations getting in touch with connection as a basis for success. Co- creating a culture of collaboration is key within a company’s systems. These systems include feedback, conflict resolution, information flow, resource allocation and so much more. I have experience recreating these systems and seeing sustainability that works.
Contact Email: starz.organizer@gmail.com
Coaching
Services
For Individuals, Partners & Families
For Spiritual Communities
For Organizations
“Nevertheless, They Persisted; Grief and Hope in Times of Environmental Peril”
In Person Workshop in Silver City, New Mexico. This is a workshop for those who are social change agents, concerned about the environment or want to deepen their connection to community and compassion.
Jan. 23rd and Jan. 24th
Friday is a brief overview and Saturday is all day.
Upcoming
In Person 5-Day Training with three trainers!
Santa Fe, New Mexico
April 9-13, 2026
The energy of the retreat will be rooted in presence, courage, authenticity, respect, and a shared commitment to
compassion in all its dimensions. We're creating a path where the way we move toward change reflects the world we
long to create. This approach resonates deeply with our intentions for this retreat. Join us in co-creating this world!
2026 Year-LongPeer Learning and Mentoring Group
January 2026-December 2026
This is a year long program for people on the certification path or curious about the pathway to certification. There is a requirement of Fundamentals of NVC I, II and III and/ or an interview with Karen Starz to see if it is a fit for you. Please contact her at starz.organizer@gmail.com to set one up.
This program will ready you for applying to an Assessor and give you the confidence to lead workshops. You have the option to save and pay all at once or to make monthly payments. Nothing is refundable. However, if life circumstances arise, other options of trade or reciprocity will be exchanged.
Fundamentals Series
I, II and III
March 4-Jul 8, 2026
Please see the description in each class offering.
Any questions or to request financial assistance please email Karen Starz at starz.organizer@gmail.com.
In Person Foundations of Nonviolent Communication in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico January 31, 2026
This four hour workshop will give you the foundations so you can join the local practice group at the Black Cat Coffee Shop on Sundays. It will also give you enough of the fundamentals to join some of my other offerings.
You will walk away with:
Understanding of the process of NVC (Compassionate Communication)
Leaving with the ability to differentiate between observations and evaluations, thoughts and feelings, needs and strategies
Enable you to start making doable requests and get your needs met in relationships, at work and more
Actively Listen and empathize with others
Gain a deeper understanding of yourself and how you hear others
Cost $45
Time 10am-2pm
Bring Snacks, Coffee, Water and Tea will be available
Scholarships available email starz.organizer@gmail.com
Address : 308 Broadway, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Reading “Nonviolent Communication, A Language of Life” by Marshall Rosenberg would be supportive in your learning. Books will be available to purchase at the event. Or, you can purchase books at The Charles Hotel or Black Cat Coffee Shop in Truth or Consequences.
What People Are Saying
“From my first practice group where her empathy brought me to tears, Karen has been a pillar for me to lean on, a deep source of safety and expression, and a place for me to go with all my questions. Nothing is too much, no emotion too big. She has this uncanny ability to intuit what people need and to give it to them right there on the spot. The safety I've experienced from this is immense, but it's so much more than that. I've felt my joy unfold. From there, love, connection, and learning have been able to come out from all the creeks and crevices within me. It's been a joy and an honor - but most of all, it's been so fun.”
— Anna, Austria
“Working with Karen and the NVC process over the past six months has really transformed our workplace. Numerous staff members have commented about how much the communication has improved. We were able to get through some challenging situations and transitions. It has really helped to meet our company's need for stability, cooperation, and trust. We are still implementing many of the practices we learned in our weekly team meetings. I’m so grateful for the transformation that was facilitated and also the deep into work that is continuing.”
— Lisa F. , Albuquerque, NM
“Learning NVC from Karen Starz has been such a treat. Her command of the material and how seamlessly she weaves it into all our interactions is so helpful as we try to gain some mastery. Moreover, her compassion, humor and authenticity bring such a depth to the work and learning. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
— Linda P., San Diego, CA.
“I attended the NVC Fundamentals training last fall, led by Karen Starz, a CNVC Certified Trainer. She is an engaging, well-organized, and a very competent teacher. I felt the weekend of learning was time well spent.
It warms my heart that there are people who want to learn this language of connection in these times where so much seems to want us to be disconnected and fighting against each other. This language, this practice builds bridges.”
- Theressa, Silver City, NM
I had the pleasure to work with and get to know Karen over a 5 week period of weekly trainings.
I really appreciated they way she led the trainings that offered meaningful engagement and inclusion for people of all ages. She helped us bridge talking about this to actual ways to do this, in a nonjudgmental gentle way. Karen led playful activities that brought out the talent of younger people and opportunity for our community to relate and value each other amongst our age differences.
Karen’s compassionate perspective inspired me to connect more with myself and my own needs and this easily bridged to more connection to the needs of my family. I appreciate the NVC tools in my parenting journey and am using the ‘power with’ strategies she introduced. As I shifted my goal to ‘power with’ my husband and children and beyond ‘right and wrong’, our relationships are improving. I am committed to practicing and sharing giraffe language with my family and friends!
- Amy L, Home School Mother, San Diego, CA