What it means to "hold space" for people, plus eight tips on how to do it well - Heather Plett

"In the two years since then, I’ve often thought about Ann and the important role she played in our lives. She was much more than what can fit in the title of “palliative care nurse”. She was facilitator, coach, and guide. By offering gentle, nonjudgmental support and guidance, she helped us walk one of the most difficult journeys of our lives. The work that Ann did can be defined by a term that’s become common in some of the circles in which I work. She was holding space for us. What does it mean to hold space for someone else? It means that we are willing to walk alongside another person in whatever journey they’re on without judging them, making them feel inadequate, trying to fix them, or trying to impact the outcome. When we hold space for other people, we open our hearts, offer unconditional support, and let go of judgement and control."

The eight excellent tips include being sensitive to how much information people want to have and finding ways to maintain their sense of power and control.

What it means to "hold space" for people, plus eight tips on how to do it well - Heather Plett: