Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) Therapeutic Programme for Parents and Carers

Parenting or caring for a child whose behaviour has become highly challenging, aggressive or difficult to manage can have a significant impact on the whole family. Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) is an established therapeutic approach for families experiencing difficulties including child-to-parent violence and abuse (CPVA), aggression, controlling behaviour and high levels of family conflict. Our 10-session, face-to-face NVR programme in Stoke-on-Trent supports parents and carers to develop practical ways to reduce escalation, respond differently to difficult behaviour and strengthen relationships within the family.

What does the NVR Therapeutic Programme cover?

  • Understanding patterns of escalation and conflict within the family.

  • Developing strategies to reduce confrontation and de-escalate difficult situations.

  • Strengthening parental presence and confidence.

  • Responding to child-to-parent violence and abuse (CPVA), aggression and controlling behaviour.

  • Establishing and maintaining boundaries without escalating conflict.

  • Developing planned responses to behaviours that cannot be accepted.

  • Reducing unhelpful power struggles.

  • Increasing positive interactions and connection with your child.

  • Building a wider network of support around your family.

  • Developing practical NVR strategies that can be used at home.

Course details:

Number of sessions: Ten

Session length: 3 hours

Total therapeutic input: 30 hours

Cost: £1500 per person (VAT does not apply for this intervention)

Dates: Please check our upcoming events

Delivery: Face to face or online, please check our upcoming events

The programme is delivered in a supportive group environment, combining NVR principles and practical strategies with discussion, reflection and opportunities to consider how the approach can be applied within each participant’s own family.

Our NVR therapeutic parenting programme is available online and in-person!

Join our expert-led training either in person at our dedicated Stoke-on-Trent venue or online from the comfort of your home via Zoom. View our upcoming events schedule to find the next available in-person or virtual course that suits you.

If you’re joining us in-person, please bear in mind

  • Parents and carers should wear comfortable clothes and shoes (e.g. leisurewear and trainers).
  • Light physical activity will be involved as mentioned above; please advise us of any disability/health requirements
  • Please note that the venue has stairs-only access
  • Tea/coffee/biscuits will be served, but you will need to bring your own lunch.
  • Please read all literature provided ahead of the course.
  • Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the session is due to start.
  • Please note – this is a parent-only course, children are not required to attend.

Upcoming NVR parenting programmes

Upcoming event

  • Sep 29

    A-ABC Therapeutic Parenting (Morning)

    Online

  • Sep 29

    A-ABC Therapeutic Parenting (Evening)

    Online

  • Sep 30

    eTR-UST Therapeutic Parenting (Evening)

    Online

  • Oct 05

    Understanding and Supporting Parents/Carers in Blocked Care

    Online

  • Oct 08

    The Ties That Bind (Sibling Trauma Bonds)

    Online

  • Nov 05

    Preverbal Trauma Training for Professionals

    Online

What is Non-Violent Resistance (NVR)?

Non-Violent Resistance, often referred to as NVR, is a therapeutic parenting approach designed to support parents and carers where a child or young person’s behaviour has become difficult, concerning or unsafe.

Rather than relying on punishment, confrontation or attempts to control a child, NVR focuses on helping parents and carers change how they respond to difficult situations. The approach aims to reduce escalation, strengthen parental presence, develop supportive networks and help adults take a clear and consistent position in relation to behaviours that are causing concern.

NVR can be particularly valuable when parents and carers feel they have tried a range of approaches but have become caught in repeated cycles of conflict, escalation or withdrawal.

NVR can be helpful for:

  • Child-to-parent violence and abuse (CPVA/CAPVA)
  • Physical aggression or violence towards parents, carers or other family members
  • Threatening or intimidating behaviour
  • Verbal aggression and highly confrontational behaviour
  • Controlling or coercive behaviour within the home
  • Frequent arguments and escalating family conflict
  • Difficulties establishing or maintaining boundaries
  • Destructive or risk-taking behaviour
  • School refusal or significant difficulties engaging with education
  • Family life becoming increasingly organised around avoiding conflict or preventing escalation

How can the NVR programme help?

NVR aims to help parents and carers feel more confident and less isolated when responding to difficult or concerning behaviour. By changing patterns of interaction and reducing escalation, the approach can help families move away from repeated cycles of conflict while maintaining and strengthening the relationship between parent and child.

The programme is delivered in a small group, providing opportunities to learn alongside other parents and carers experiencing similar difficulties, share experiences and reflect on how NVR can be applied within each family’s individual circumstances.

Importantly, NVR does not rely on the child or young person attending or agreeing to take part. The focus is on supporting parents and carers to make meaningful changes in the areas they can influence.

FAQs

Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) is a therapeutic approach that helps parents and carers respond differently to challenging, aggressive, controlling or concerning behaviour. It focuses on reducing escalation, strengthening parental presence, developing support networks and improving relationships within the family.

NVR is commonly used with families experiencing child-to-parent violence and abuse (CPVA/CAPVA), including physical or verbal aggression, threatening or intimidating behaviour and controlling patterns within the home. The programme helps parents and carers develop planned, consistent and non-confrontational ways of responding to these behaviours.

No. The programme works directly with parents and carers and does not depend on the child or young person attending sessions or agreeing to participate.

The programme is for parents and carers experiencing significant difficulties with a child or young person’s behaviour. This might include aggression, child-to-parent violence, controlling behaviour, frequent conflict, difficulties with boundaries, school refusal or other behaviours which are having a significant impact on family life.

The NVR Therapeutic Programme is a structured therapeutic intervention rather than a general parenting course. It is particularly intended for families experiencing significant or persistent difficulties where usual parenting approaches may not have been effective.

The programme is delivered face-to-face in a small group environment. Parents and carers learn NVR approaches alongside others while also considering how the strategies can be applied to their own individual family circumstances.

The programme consists of 10 three-hour sessions, providing a total of 30 hours of therapeutic input.

Yes. Professionals and commissioners can refer parents and carers to the programme. We are also happy to discuss whether NVR is likely to be suitable for a particular family before a referral is made.

The full 10-session programme costs £1,500 per parent/carer. This provides 30 hours of therapeutic input, equivalent to £50 per hour, compared with Gateway Psychology’s standard therapeutic rate of £150 per hour.