CNVC Certified Trainer from Portland, Oregon, USA (1949-2021)
"All my life, I have yearned for practical ways to integrate the depth and richness of spirituality with the realities of daily life and relationships. As a psychotherapist and teacher, I worked to develop and offer effective pathways to the most enriching and authentic experiences of life." --Robert Gonzales
Robert's passion was in the spirituality of the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) process. He saw NVC both as a process that helps people connect more authentically with themselves and others, and as a spiritual practice and way of living.
The worldwide NVC community mourned when Robert died in 2021. He left behind a legacy of work that emerged from a lifetime of inquiry into the intersection between spirituality and human communication.
People across the world who learned from him express that they could not have done their own work without having experienced Robert's presence and compassion.
"Robert Gonzales was a beloved teacher with an extraordinary ability to awaken compassion and insight in others. He articulated profound truths about life and relationships with eloquence and simplicity, transmitting his energy, love, and vision so powerfully that he changed the direction of thousands of people's lives...including mine. Robert's energy continues to touch the world through his recordings, reminding us of our own inherent goodness and empowering us to live passionately and compassionately in every moment." --Lynd Morris, Certified Trainer
Background:
Robert Gonzales received a PhD in Clinical Psychology in 1989. He met Marshall Rosenberg, was introduced to NVC in 1985, and offered NVC training in some form from 1986-2021. His original professional background and training was as a licensed psychotherapist.
In the year 2000, he established the Prescott Center for Nonviolent Communication. In June 2010, he relocated to Portland, Oregon and re-formed the organization as the Center for Living Compassion, a nonprofit organization through which he shared his work.
Robert's work, Living Compassion, evolved as an integration of embodied spirituality and NVC. His trainings offered ways to cultivate daily practices for living life fully, grounded in compassion for one's self and others.
Robert worked with the Center for Nonviolent Communication in a number of capacities, including: past President of the Board, CNVC Certified Trainer, International Intensive Training (IIT) trainer and North American Assessor.
Robert's Legacy Lives On
With the help of Robert's wife, Ruth Joy, NVC Academy is proud to house the complete body of his life's work -- all together, in one place! In this way, his profound work and life-changing lessons can live on even if he is no longer with us. Visit Robert Gonzales Training Legacy.
"As an NVC community, it is a treasure to have these teachings available through the NVC Academy. I encourage anyone curious about his work, or disappointed that they did not participate in his programs during his lifetime to take advantage of NVC Academy's offerings and the technology that allows us to still learn from him."
--Rhonda Freeman, Certified Trainer and friend who worked with Robert for many years
Robert's Website: Living Compassion