Meet the Team
We envision a world where all people have easy access to safe spaces where they can grow, heal and be nourished by connection.
Our workshops, coaching and retreats incorporate the most powerful methodologies we have found to support individuals to heal their wounds from the past and awaken to the life force that flows through them.
Driven by a shared passion for empowering people to live from the heart, Sarah and Nic founded Compassionate Self.
With time, a few more wonderful souls joined in to support this transformative work.
Sarah Dekker & Nic Burnand
Internationally Certified NVC Trainers & Therapeutic Coaches
Sarah Dekker is passionate about integrating Nonviolent Communication (NVC) with embodied spirituality. Her workshops offer ways to cultivate daily practices for living life fully and authentically, deeply grounded in compassion for one’s self and others.
Sarah’s interest in individual and collective trauma healing has had her exploring Dyad meditation, Internal Family Systems Therapy, Mondo Zen, Gender Equity & Reconciliation training, Breathwork & Trauma Release Systems, Enneagram and other modalities.
Nicholas Burnand is a certified Nonviolent Communication trainer and therapeutic coach. Nic was born in South Africa and currently lives in Belgium. He has travelled the world, exploring different inner transformation, meditation and communication practices.
His passion is creating safe spaces to support people through deeply transformative inner journeys. He combines inner parts processes and mindfulness with NVC to form a powerful trio that support inner healing and personal growth.
Sigrid Wilmsen
NVC Trainer & Facilitator of Life
“Shine from within”
Sigrid is here to let her light shine on people's hearts. In deep contact with her soul's journey, she loves to guide people to express themselves from the heart and to listen to their hearts. Then, they can come in contact with what life is all about: making it more wonderful!
She has a passion for exploring spirituality and other forms of communication than the ones we ‘know’.
Thanks to her two sons and in relationship with who & what surrounds her, she dives deep into integrating Nonviolent Communication into daily life. Creating a heart-centred world, that’s what she embodies as a facilitator of life.
partners & collaborators
 Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing... |  Klarweit - Aussergewohnliche Seminare |  Living Compassion Austria |
|---|---|---|
 The Center for Nonviolent Communication |  Stemverbinding |  BirdsCanFly |
 Koningsteen Conference & Retreat Centre |  Language that Works South Africa |  AANAAJAANAA CONNECT - workshop hosts & organisers |
 Ixopo Buddhist Retreat Centre KZN |