Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) Principles in Practice

What Is NVR?

Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) is a parent-centred, relational approach developed to help caregivers respond to harmful, aggressive, or controlling behaviour without escalating conflict.

Rather than focusing on controlling the child’s actions, NVR supports parents and carers to change their own responses — rebuilding calm authority, connection, and support around the family.

The approach is grounded in principles of self-control, relational repair, and community support, helping families move away from reactive cycles and toward cooperation, safety, and trust.

How I Use NVR in My Work

I have completed Level 1 training in Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) and integrate its core ideas into my therapeutic parenting and family support work.

While I am not a registered NVR practitioner, I draw on NVR principles — particularly around parental presence, de-escalation, and relational repair — to complement other trauma-informed models such as DDP, IAFT, and Therapeutic Parenting Coaching.

This means NVR informs how I support families, rather than being offered as a standalone programme.

Who It Can Help

Families may find NVR-informed support beneficial when:

A child’s behaviour feels unsafe, controlling, or highly oppositional.
Parents or carers feel overwhelmed, powerless, or isolated.
Conflict and communication breakdowns are affecting family relationships.
There is a need to rebuild calm and connection within the home.

What This Work Involves

Sessions focus on reflection, understanding, and strategy — helping caregivers to:

Develop calmer, more consistent responses to challenging behaviour.
Strengthen parental presence and reduce escalation.
Re-establish positive connection and repair after conflict.
Build wider support networks around the family.

These principles are always integrated within a broader therapeutic plan tailored to the family’s needs.

Therapeutic Goals

Reduce power struggles and reactive cycles.
Increase caregiver confidence and sense of calm authority.
Support re-connection between parent and child after conflict.
Strengthen resilience and community support for the family.

Practical Details

Session length: Typically 50–60 minutes.
Format: In-person in Hampshire or virtual sessions nationwide.
Funding: Private pay or, where eligible, through the Adoption and Special Guardian Support Fund (ASGSF).

Professional Note

NVR is not offered as a standalone programme within HJ Trauma Support. Instead, its ideas and principles are used thoughtfully within therapeutic parenting and family sessions, ensuring an integrated, trauma-informed approach.