Nonviolent communication (NVC), sometimes referred to as compassionate communication, developed by Marshall Rosenberg in the 1960s, is an approach to communicating designed to help people connect more compassionately with themselves and others. It is aimed at transforming interactions, as it enables people to become more aware of their feelings, needs, and desires, as well as those of others, in a given situation. This form of communication is meant to promote greater self-awareness, to foster deeper interpersonal relationships, and to effectively settle conflicts. 

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The process of NVC involves four key components: Observations, Feelings, Needs, Requests. First, individuals observe what is happening in a given situation without any form of judgment. Next, they express how these observations make them feel and what needs, values, or desires are related to these feelings. Finally, they make clear, specific requests based on what they need to enrich their lives, instead of demanding these from others. For example, a wife whose husband shouted at her at a social function might express these four components by saying, "When you shout at me in public (observation) I feel humiliated (feeling) because I value respect, especially in the presence of others (need). When we have a disagreement in public, would you be willing to wait until we can discuss the matter in private (request)?"

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The principles of nonviolent communication can be applied in the family to improve parent-child relationships and in schools to reduce coercive, punitive methods of instruction. It can also be used in couples therapy to promote more satisfying intimate relationships in which both partners feel respected and have their needs met.