Relational Presence: The Group Facilitation Manual is a practical, evidence-informed guide for professionals supporting parents and carers of children with challenging behaviours. Grounded in the principles of Non-Violent Resistance (NVR), this manual equips practitioners to deliver an 8-week parent group program that fosters calm presence, connection, and courageous action.
Whether you're a psychologist, social worker, counsellor, or educator, this resource provides the structure, language, and support you need to facilitate meaningful change in families. Inside you'll find:
A clear breakdown of the Presence Pyramid-a stepwise model for greater confidence and calm in parenting
Tools to help parents reclaim influence without escalation or control
Week-by-week session plans with facilitator notes and reflection prompts
Access to printable handouts to support parents between sessions, PowerPoint slides of the whole 8-week program, and Messages of Hope PowerPoint slides from previous participants
This manual offers an evidence-informed framework designed to help parents move from reactivity to relational influence-grounded in calm, connection, and compassionate action.
About the Author
Tamar Sloan is a registered psychologist, trainer, and leading practitioner of Relational Presence, a parenting framework grounded in Non-Violent Resistance (NVR). With over 25 years of experience across youth work, education, and private practice, Tamar has a primary focus in supporting families navigating challenging behaviours, device addiction, and anxious avoidance.