The Empathic Dialogue Series
Online Workshop Journey
with Kaitlin Henze
In a world that feels increasingly divided, the ability to communicate with empathy is one of the most powerful skills you can develop for your relationships, your work, and your own inner well-being.
Across the series, you’ll learn how to:
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- Show up with presence, intention, and attention
- Navigate difficult conversations with clarity and care
- Practice self-empathy to prevent burnout and overwhelm
- Set compassionate boundaries and create lasting, meaningful change
- Communicate with greater presence, clarity, and compassion in everyday interactions, tense discussions, and moments of celebration!
Each session is experiential and engaging, with opportunities to learn practical tools, ask questions, connect with others, and practice in real time so you can immediately apply what you’re learning to your life.
Session 1: July 7, 2026 6:30-8pm CDT
Intro to Empathic Dialogue: Building a Foundation for Meaningful Connection
Our communication habits shape how we relate to ourselves, others, and the world around us. In a time when division can feel heightened and disconnection is common, the ability to communicate with empathy is one of the most essential skills we can develop – for both our personal and professional lives.
This interactive, online workshop introduces the foundations of empathic dialogue and offers practical tools you can begin using immediately in any conversation. Open to participants of all levels – whether you’re brand new to mindfulness and Nonviolent Communication (NVC) or have prior experience – this session provides an accessible and supportive space to learn, reflect, and practice.
Together, we’ll explore the three primary aspects of empathic dialogue: presence, intention, and attention. You’ll learn what each of these means in practice and walk away with tangible strategies to help you:
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- Stay grounded and present in conversations
- Clarify your intentions before and during communication
- Deepen your listening and awareness of others
Through guided teaching, reflection, and built-in interaction, participants will engage in a foundational empathy-building activity designed to cultivate compassion for both yourself and others. This session is not just about learning – it’s about practicing together, asking questions, and connecting with others who are also seeking more meaningful ways of relating.
You’ll leave with practical tools, renewed perspective, and additional resources to support your continued learning and integration beyond the workshop.
Session 2: August 11, 2026 6:30-8pm CDT
Compassionate Boundaries & Fierce Self-Empathy
Compassion isn’t just soft and gentle. It can also be clear, strong, and fiercely supportive.
In this workshop, we explore the powerful concept of fierce self-empathy – learning how to set boundaries, motivate yourself, and create meaningful change from a place of understanding rather than self-criticism.
Drawing on the work of Kristin Neff and principles from Nonviolent Communication, you’ll discover how treating yourself with empathy is actually one of the most effective ways to grow, change, and follow through on what matters most.
In this session, you’ll learn how to:
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- Set compassionate, clear boundaries without guilt
- Make requests of yourself and others from a grounded place
- Shift from self-judgment to self-understanding
- Use empathy as a tool for motivation and growth
Communicate with greater presence, clarity, and compassion in everyday interactions, tense discussions, and moments of celebration!
“Kaitlin is wise, intuitive, and conscientious. It is clear that she prepares thoughtfully for any workshop she leads. While she is an expert in her trade, she is also humble nad invites conversation from the group. I immediately felt at ease when walking in the room and enjoyed Kaitlin’s grounding and calming presence as we discussed the difficult topic of navigating conflict with compassion.”
This series is open to all levels, whether you’re brand new or already familiar with mindfulness or Nonviolent Communication.
Your Guide for the Journey
Kaitlin Henze
Kaitlin brings over 7 years of dedicated practice in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and compassion resilience to her work as an empathy facilitator. She has completed the Mindful Dialogue course with Oren Jay Sofer along with the foundational, intermediate, and advanced trainings through NYNVC (New York Center for Nonviolent Communication) to get certified as a Compassion Mentor. Kaitlin is a 200-hour certified yoga teacher and has completed training in polyvagal theory with Dr. Irene Lyon.
This allows her to blend concepts from Buddhism, yoga philosophy, somatic experiencing, and nonviolent communication as she facilitates empathy support groups for people around the world. She maintains a consistent weekly personal empathy practice to continuously hone her skills and serve as an effective empathy companion to others.
Kaitlin has facilitated conflict resolution and effective communication workshops for corporate teams, families, community groups, and teens and young adults, and she is thrilled to introduce principles, share practices, and hold space for others to exchange empathy at the Christine Center.
“Kaitlin is an amazing space holder. She engages everyone individually while allowing the group to form connections and learn from each other.”