"Holding space" isn't a concept you hear in your day-to-day life. In fact, I had never heard of it until going to grad school.
Right now you can Google the term and find numerous articles and blog posts by other therapists and helping professionals giving their own definition of "holding space", and what it means for them. You'll also find several other businesses and organizations that have incorporated the term into their name.
I chose the name Holding Space Collaborative because I believe counseling work is centered around creating an environment in which we can both show up freely as our full selves without fear.
For me, holding space is all about being both fully present with and unconditionally accepting of another. This often looks like being intentionally mindful and aware of any biases or assumptions coming up within you and setting them aside. It involves expressing openness, empathetic understanding, and compassion.
To "hold space" is to receive someone fully, exactly as they are, without expectations.
What's so special about this is that we rarely get to experience the feeling of someone holding space for us in our everyday lives. Unfortunately, this is just not how most of us have been socialized and taught to interact with each other.
We all typically come into our interactions with one another with our own preconceived notions, opinions, expectations, and motives. We all typically insert ourselves into our conversations and make discussion about our own experiences, needs, and wants.
Not to say that this is a bad thing. In fact, it's usually how we expect our interactions to go and we aren't really looking for much else.
However, what about those times when we really are needing someone to truly *see* us? Those times when we just want someone to sit and listen, to sit and hold us, to sit and validate our lived experiences and emotions exactly as they are?
What about those times when we try to share something deeply personal and vulnerable with someone and they brush it aside, and move on to something else? Or they assure us that we're overreacting, or that we're confused?
What about those times when we're feeling stuck within a society- a community- a family- in which we feel judged and misunderstood? What about those times when we're desperate for someone to let us know that we're loved and valued exactly as we are?
These are times that holding space for one another can be so incredibly powerful and affirming, yet we often fail to recognize when these times are occurring. Even when we do, we find ourselves struggling to set aside our own "stuff".
As a counselor, I strive to create a space within our counseling work that is constructed specifically for you and all your complexities to feel seen, heard, valued, and accepted.
As we work together, we'll build a environment that honors your authenticity and provides safety and nourishment for your true self- however that looks for you.
This space will serve as a vessel for your exploration and reflection, a container for any emotions that feel too big and heavy, and a launchpad for inner insight and growth.
I'd be honored to have a chance to hold space for you.
コメント