Holding Space: Therapy’s Safe Container
Do you push your emotions aside at work to stay professional, hold in frustration at home to avoid conflict, or smile through stress in social settings. But where do those emotions go?
Imagine a sturdy, open box. It doesn’t change or break under the weight of what’s inside. It simply holds. That’s what therapy does for your emotions. When you meet with a therapist, you step into a space that exists solely for you—a place to unpack your thoughts, worries, and feelings without judgment or expectation.
The Power of a Therapist’s Presence
A therapist offers something that can be hard to find in daily life: a sense of calm, safety, and connection. In this space, you don’t have to perform or suppress your emotions. You can show up exactly as you are, whether that means being vulnerable, uncertain, overwhelmed, or even silent.
Holding space is about more than just listening. It’s about creating an environment where you feel seen, heard, and accepted. A therapist helps you explore emotions that might otherwise stay bottled up, providing validation and guidance as you process them.
How to Hold Space for Yourself and Others
Therapy is one way to experience this kind of emotional support, but you can also cultivate it in your personal relationships. Here’s how:
Practice Active Listening – When someone shares their feelings with you, resist the urge to fix or respond immediately. Just be present. Sometimes, being heard is more powerful than being advised. "It sounds like you are feeling…”. “I hear that you …”
Create Moments of Stillness – Life moves fast, and emotions get pushed aside. Set aside time each day—whether through journaling, meditation, or a quiet walk—to check in with yourself. Writing prompts - “Right now, I feel … because…” “A small step I can take to address this feeling is…"
Give Yourself Permission to Feel – You don’t have to be strong all the time. If you need to cry, vent, or rest, allow yourself that space without guilt.
Seek Support When Needed – If holding space for yourself feels difficult, therapy can help you develop this skill in a guided and compassionate way.
You Deserve a Space to Just Be
If you feel like you’re constantly carrying emotions with no place to put them, therapy can be the space where you set them down. You don’t have to “keep it together” all the time. Whether through therapy or intentional connection with others, you deserve a place where your emotions are held with care.
Do you want support to implement these strategies?
Not sure how to implement this or still feeling stress, be in touch. I am here to help you. Contact me to schedule a free consultation session.
