Similar to being in a community, therapeutic spaces, too, have their own set of languages and terminologies. While some of them may be more clinical terms that you might come across, often describing mental health-related abbreviations or diagnoses, others are much more general and are not just limited to therapeutic spaces.
Holding space is an example of such a term, and we will discover more about it in this article.
What is holding space?
Holding space is defined as being present with someone without judgement. To hold space is to lend your heart and ears without any expectations for returns. It involves having compassion and empathy. It is a common technique that many therapists practise during their sessions, from individual therapy for abuse to corporate therapy sessions, such as EAP employee assistance program, accepting their patients’ thoughts and emotions, no matter what they may be, and putting their own opinions and needs aside to allow their patients to be how they are feeling.
Learning to hold space for someone effectively is a skill that we can all learn and develop. When we do so, we encourage healing and deep connection.
How to hold space for someone effectively?
Here are some ways you can take note of to help you get started on holding space for someone:
1. Practise deep listening: Deep listening involves not just hearing what the other party is saying but understanding what they are saying. It involves listening with your ears and heart.
2. Do not judge: It is impossible not to have personal opinions, and it is not in our nature to withhold them. However, when you hold space for someone, it is crucial to put aside your opinions in the conversation and allow the other party a non-judgemental environment to share theirs.
3. Make room for the other party: Continuing on from creating a non-judgemental space, you also need to create a space that allows the other party to feel all they want to express. Allow them the space to cry, yell, or scream if necessary. Also, be compassionate and empathise with them.
4. Do not forget to breathe: Deep breathing is an effective method to help you and the other party stay connected and calm. Whenever things get too much, always encourage them to take a deep breath.
5. Let go of the mentality to solve the issue: Our human instinct when approached with an issue is to find a solution. Do not turn to our natural instinct when holding space. Going back to the first point: Deep listening. Be there to listen. The journey through pain is individual, and the only way to move past pain is to sit with it.
Conclusion
With many traumatic events occurring all around the world today, many are experiencing, in their daily lives, the crucial tipping point of unrest and upset. Many are feeling grief, depression and anxiety, hopelessness, anger, and loss, while others feel unheard and unsafe. Now, more than ever, it is vital that we make an effort to create a safe environment for those we care for to feel held and heard.
Holding space is all about that – being present with the other party physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is about sitting with them in loving support that helps them to feel cared for, understood, and seen. Once the connection has been established, and their thoughts and emotions are known, you can then work on providing advice and solving problems.
Nevertheless, if you are looking for therapeutic assistance with what you might be going through, let us walk through this journey with you. Our therapists are more than capable of holding space for you, creating a safe environment where you can freely share your feelings and thoughts. Take your first step to reach out to us today!