Therapy isn’t about “fixing” problems or changing who you are. Instead, it’s a space where you can feel safe to express yourself, process emotions, and grow at your own pace. Research shows that over 75% of people notice positive changes within six months of therapy – not because they’re being “fixed,” but because they’re given the freedom to explore their thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Key takeaways:
- What is “holding space”? It means creating a safe, supportive environment where you feel seen, heard, and understood without interruption or judgment.
- Why it matters: Emotional safety is essential for trust, vulnerability, and healing.
- Therapists’ role: They guide, listen, and provide tools like grounding techniques and emotional regulation strategies to help you manage your mental health.
- Virtual therapy: Despite challenges like technical issues, platforms like Televero Health ensure privacy, security, and accessibility for online sessions.
Therapy isn’t about finding flaws – it’s about helping you build self-awareness, emotional resilience, and confidence in a supportive environment.
What Does ‘Holding Space’ Mean in Therapy?
Understanding Holding Space
In therapy, "holding space" shifts the focus from simply solving problems to creating a safe, supportive environment where clients can openly express and process their emotions. It moves away from the traditional approach of diagnosing and fixing, prioritizing a deeper connection that allows for emotional exploration.
This concept acknowledges that clients are the true experts of their own experiences. With the right environment, they have the ability to grow and heal on their own terms. Holding space involves key elements like presence, empathy, compassion, and detachment. Therapists remain fully present and engaged while maintaining professional boundaries, ensuring their own judgments or personal biases do not interfere.
By fostering this intentional presence, therapists establish the emotional safety necessary for meaningful therapeutic work.
Why Emotional Safety Matters
Emotional safety is the cornerstone of effective therapy. Without it, clients may struggle to open up or explore the deeper emotions necessary for growth. Creating a non-judgmental and empathetic environment builds the trust needed for vulnerability, which is essential for genuine healing.
As existential therapist Irvin Yalom puts it:
"Nothing takes precedence, I emphasize, over the importance of the patient’s feeling safe in the therapy office and the therapy hour".
This sense of safety allows clients to delve into challenging emotions and past traumas without fear of judgment or rejection. Research shows that holding space can help reduce stress and anxiety, strengthen relationships, and improve overall mental health. When clients feel truly accepted and understood, the therapeutic relationship itself becomes a powerful tool for healing.
Different therapeutic approaches emphasize emotional safety in their own ways. Psychodynamic therapy views safety as a prerequisite for effective exploration, while humanistic approaches focus on creating an environment of empathy, authenticity, and non-judgment.
Moving from ‘Fixing’ to Empowerment
Therapy that incorporates holding space shifts from "fixing" problems to empowering clients on their own journeys. Traditional therapy often casts the therapist as the expert who identifies issues and prescribes solutions. In contrast, holding space emphasizes that clients already possess the wisdom and capacity to grow.
This approach involves walking alongside clients without judgment, without trying to "fix" them, and without attempting to control outcomes. It’s about creating a space where clients feel supported enough to explore their emotions, uncover insights, and build self-awareness and confidence.
Licensed marriage and family therapist John Kim describes it well:
"A safe space means to donate your ears and heart without wanting anything back. To practice empathy and compassion. To accept someone’s truth, no matter what they are".
For therapists, this requires a high level of self-awareness. They must recognize their own biases and emotional triggers to ensure they don’t project their perspectives onto clients. By maintaining this balance, therapists provide a space that respects the client’s autonomy while supporting their growth.
In this environment, clients are not "fixed" by an outside expert. Instead, they are empowered to discover their own strength and capacity for transformation, with the therapist serving as a compassionate guide along the way.
Core Principles and Benefits of Holding Space
Key Principles of Holding Space
At its heart, holding space is guided by four essential principles. The first is compassion, which serves as the foundation of this practice. For therapists, this means going beyond surface-level sympathy to deeply connect with their clients while maintaining professional boundaries. Compassion here involves truly understanding and empathizing with the client’s lived experience.
The second principle is nonjudgment. Relationship expert Steven Reigns highlights this by stating that therapists must focus on "creating safety by not judging, by not taking your partner’s emotions personally, and by creating a space of absolute non-reactivity". This requires therapists to set aside their personal biases, allowing clients to share openly without fear of criticism or rejection.
Active listening and emotional presence form the third and fourth principles, working hand in hand to create a dynamic and supportive therapeutic environment. This means therapists must be "physically, mentally, and emotionally present for someone", dedicating their full attention to the client without distractions or multitasking.
When these principles come together, they create the kind of environment that Lisa Marie Bobby, relationship psychologist and founder of Growing Self Counseling & Coaching, describes as one where "someone can feel seen, heard, and understood without judgment or interruption". These principles are not just theoretical – they shape the entire therapeutic process and lay the groundwork for meaningful emotional progress.
Psychological and Emotional Benefits
Applying these principles in therapy leads to profound psychological and emotional rewards. One of the most notable outcomes is the development of deeper trust within the therapeutic relationship. This trust encourages clients to open up, fostering vulnerability and self-exploration that often continues long after therapy sessions.
A key benefit is greater self-awareness. Amie Grant, LPCC and founder of Take Up Space Therapy Services, explains: "When someone feels seen and heard, it can be a profoundly healing experience". This sense of validation allows clients to delve into their emotions and better understand themselves.
Another significant outcome is emotional resilience. By learning to sit with discomfort, clients can break free from cycles of shame and develop stronger stress management skills. This shifts therapy’s focus from simply "fixing" problems to empowering individuals to navigate challenges more effectively.
Scientific research supports these benefits. A 2020 review revealed that having trusted confidants can lower the risk of depression. Similarly, a 2023 review found that supportive relationships can reduce the likelihood of experiencing both depression and anxiety. As Grant puts it, "It’s a radical act of self-care and community care that fosters resilience, emotional regulation, and a deeper sense of belonging". By reducing feelings of loneliness and promoting authenticity, holding space encourages clients to embrace their true selves and express their emotions without fear.
Holding Space: Stop Fixing, Start Listening
Techniques Therapists Use to Hold Space
Therapists bring the concept of "holding space" to life by employing specific techniques that nurture trust and encourage emotional growth. These methods are designed to create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered.
Active Listening and Reflective Statements
At the heart of effective therapy lies active listening – a skill that goes well beyond simply hearing words. It’s about being fully present and deeply understanding the client’s perspective. As Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, explains:
"Active listening requires de-centering from one’s fixed position to be fully present with another. It helps people feel more understood and strengthens relationships as it signals a willingness to sit with the other’s perspective and empathy for their situation instead of singular focus on oneself".
Therapists practice active listening by maintaining consistent eye contact, asking open-ended questions, and using reflective statements to validate a client’s feelings. For instance, if a client shares frustrations about a relationship, a therapist might respond with, "It sounds like you’re feeling overwhelmed by the ongoing conflicts with your partner." This approach helps clients feel acknowledged and understood.
In addition, therapists use silence intentionally, allowing clients the space to explore their thoughts and emotions more deeply. They also pay close attention to nonverbal cues and avoid distractions that might signal disengagement. Romanoff further highlights the impact of this technique:
"Ultimately, active listening helps the speaker feel more understood and heard – and helps the listener have more information and understanding. On both ends of active listening – people feel more connected and collaborative which is why it is such a vital tool when it comes to communication".
By creating this connection, therapists lay the groundwork for building trust and setting clear boundaries.
Setting Boundaries and Ensuring Confidentiality
Establishing clear boundaries and confidentiality is essential in creating a safe space for therapy. Boundaries outline the professional framework of the therapeutic relationship, helping clients understand its purpose and feel secure.
Therapists set clear expectations about confidentiality, communication, and professional conduct. They explain the limits of confidentiality, including any legal or ethical exceptions, and often provide written agreements to ensure everyone is on the same page. For example, therapists might use HIPAA-compliant platforms for virtual sessions, avoid dual relationships that could create conflicts of interest, and maintain secure communication channels. Transparency is key, and clients are encouraged to ask questions about confidentiality to ensure they feel informed and comfortable throughout the process.
To maintain these boundaries, therapists also prioritize their own self-care and professional development. Reflecting on their values and creating a personalized plan for maintaining boundaries helps them stay grounded and effective in their work.
Once solid boundaries are in place, therapists can focus on strategies to help clients manage intense emotions.
Grounding Techniques and Emotional Regulation
When clients feel overwhelmed or disconnected, grounding techniques can help bring them back to the present moment. One popular method is the 5-4-3-2-1 technique, which guides clients to identify five things they see, four they can touch, three they hear, two they smell, and one they taste. Other grounding exercises include body-focused activities, like deep breathing, wiggling toes, or clenching and releasing fists, as well as mental exercises like naming objects in the room or counting backward.
Woody Schuldt, LMHC, explains the value of these techniques:
"Grounding techniques help control these symptoms by turning attention away from thoughts, memories, or worries, and refocusing on the present moment".
To complement grounding, therapists teach emotional regulation strategies that help clients manage and express their feelings in healthier ways. Mindfulness practices, cognitive reappraisal (reframing challenges as opportunities), and breathing exercises are commonly used tools. These techniques not only calm the nervous system but also bridge the gap between grounding and emotional regulation, offering practical skills clients can use both in therapy and in daily life.
Emotional regulation involves understanding and influencing emotions – deciding how to respond and express them. Rather than "fixing" clients, therapists aim to equip them with tools for self-awareness and emotional growth, empowering them to navigate their lives with greater confidence and resilience.
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Holding Space in Virtual Therapy
Building emotional safety is just as important in virtual therapy as it is in face-to-face sessions. While the setting may be different, the principles of "holding space" remain the same – creating a safe, supportive environment where clients feel heard and understood.
Challenges and Opportunities in Virtual Therapy
Virtual therapy brings its own set of hurdles that can make holding space more complex. Without physical presence, forming a connection can feel different. Technical issues like slow internet, audio lags, or blurry video can interrupt the flow of a session, making it harder for therapists to pick up on non-verbal cues or for clients to stay fully engaged.
Privacy is another big concern. Unlike a therapist’s office, where confidentiality is more easily controlled, virtual therapy raises questions about data security and session privacy. Clients may worry about being overheard at home or wonder how their personal information is being safeguarded online.
At the same time, virtual therapy offers unique advantages. Many clients appreciate the convenience, which often leads to better attendance rates. For those with social anxiety or difficulty with intimacy, the virtual format can feel less intimidating, making it easier to open up. Interestingly, the close-up view of video calls can even enhance focus on facial expressions, allowing therapists to notice subtle emotional cues that might go unnoticed in person.
These challenges and opportunities have pushed providers to develop innovative ways to ensure virtual therapy remains effective. Televero Health is one such example.
Televero Health‘s Approach to Virtual Holding Space
Televero Health has taken a thoughtful approach to address the unique challenges of virtual therapy, focusing on creating a secure and supportive environment for clients.
Security and privacy are at the heart of their strategy. Televero Health uses HIPAA-compliant platforms with advanced security features to protect client confidentiality:
| Security Feature | Purpose | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-End Encryption | Protects session content | Keeps conversations private |
| Multi-Factor Authentication | Verifies user identity | Prevents unauthorized access |
| Secure Document Sharing | Protects medical records | Ensures data confidentiality |
In addition to safeguarding privacy, Televero Health offers same-day appointments to ensure clients can access help when they need it most. This immediacy is especially valuable during times of crisis.
Their physician-led MD CARE™ model ensures that virtual therapy sessions meet the same clinical standards as in-person care. Therapists are trained to adapt traditional techniques to the digital space, maintaining the quality of care.
Dr. Karena Heyward, Ph.D., LPC, ACS, highlights the importance of adapting to the virtual format:
"We need to continually make sure that our patients are feeling safe in our presence and the environment we’re in, even if that is virtually".
She further emphasizes the shared nature of this responsibility:
"Building safety is both the patient and the provider’s responsibility".
To support this, Televero Health therapists gather emergency contact information and the client’s current location during sessions, ensuring they can act swiftly in case of an emergency. They also educate clients on how to protect their privacy during virtual sessions and openly discuss both the benefits and potential risks of online therapy.
Financial concerns are addressed through an insurance verification process, helping to remove barriers that might prevent clients from seeking care.
Televero Health also trains its therapists to adapt their communication styles for the virtual setting. This includes using more expressive non-verbal communication, carefully choosing virtual backgrounds to create a calming atmosphere, and showing patience when technical glitches occur. These efforts ensure that the core elements of holding space – emotional safety, empathy, and connection – are preserved, even in a digital environment.
Therapy as a Pathway to Growth, Not Fixing
When we shift the focus of mental health care from "fixing" to fostering growth, the entire approach changes. This perspective emphasizes your inherent value and the potential waiting to be unlocked.
Empowering Clients Through Self-Discovery
Therapy creates a safe and supportive environment where real self-discovery becomes possible. It’s a space designed for reflection and exploration, helping you untangle your thoughts, understand your emotions, and examine your behaviors. This process allows you to define who you are and envision who you want to become. The outcomes? Greater self-expression, stronger resilience, the uncovering of untapped potential, and a deeper sense of self-compassion. Therapists guide this journey using tools like reflective listening, open-ended questions, journaling, art therapy, and mindfulness practices.
Televero Health’s Commitment to Individualized Care
Televero Health takes this growth-centered philosophy to heart, tailoring care to each individual’s unique needs. As a licensed behavioral health medical practice, they focus on empowering clients to navigate life with greater independence and confidence. Their belief is clear:
"At Televero Health, we believe that choosing therapy isn’t an admission of weakness; it’s the ultimate act of taking responsibility for your wellbeing".
Their MD CARE™ model integrates a team of behavioral health specialists, including licensed physicians, to provide holistic care that addresses the whole person – not just isolated symptoms. Clients are matched with providers based on their specific needs, reinforcing the importance of a strong therapeutic relationship. Using evidence-based approaches, Televero Health ensures that treatment aligns with each client’s personal goals. Even when medication becomes part of the plan, their philosophy remains grounded:
"The goal of medication is never to change who you are; it’s to clear away the static so that you can be more yourself".
The results speak volumes. Televero Health reports an 80% reduction in depression symptoms and a 73% reduction in anxiety symptoms among their patients. Whether through therapy or psychiatry, their approach emphasizes that healing is a deeply personal journey. By offering same-day appointments and accepting insurance, they make accessing care an empowering and approachable step.
Through its personalized and comprehensive care, Televero Health highlights that therapy isn’t about "fixing" flaws – it’s about embracing self-discovery, acceptance, and resilience. It’s a transformative process that helps you grow into the best version of yourself.
Conclusion: The Value of Holding Space in Therapy
Therapy isn’t about turning into someone new – it’s about rediscovering who you already are beneath layers of expectations, fears, and past experiences. When therapists hold space, they reshape the therapeutic process, focusing on creating safety and empathy rather than rushing to “fix” things.
This compassionate approach encourages you to trust your own instincts and decide what feels right for you. Instead of being handed external solutions, you’re given the space to let your emotions and thoughts surface naturally, fostering self-awareness and personal growth. As Heather Plett beautifully puts it:
"Holding space 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."
Televero Health makes high-quality virtual therapy accessible with flexible hours and same-day appointments for residents in Texas and Florida. CEO Ray Wolf highlights their mission:
"By expanding our availability, we are removing barriers to care and ensuring more people can receive high-quality mental health support when they need it most."
FAQs
What does ‘holding space’ in therapy mean, and how is it different from solving problems?
What Does ‘Holding Space’ Mean in Therapy?
In therapy, holding space refers to creating an environment where you feel safe, supported, and free to share your thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment or pressure to "fix" anything. It’s about being fully present, offering a listening ear, and providing emotional support rather than jumping straight to solutions.
This method stands apart from traditional problem-solving approaches, which often focus on identifying issues and applying strategies to resolve them. Instead, holding space emphasizes emotional connection and understanding. By doing so, it encourages self-discovery and personal growth, allowing you to explore your feelings on your own terms and at your own pace.
How do therapists create a safe and supportive space for clients during sessions?
Therapists create a safe and welcoming space by building trust and forming a strong connection with their clients. They put a high priority on confidentiality, display genuine empathy, and adopt a nonjudgmental approach, helping clients feel at ease as they open up.
A few key methods stand out in achieving this. Active listening ensures therapists give their full attention to what clients share, making them feel truly heard. Through validation, therapists acknowledge clients’ emotions and experiences, reinforcing their sense of being understood. Additionally, by practicing emotional attunement, therapists tune into and respond to the emotional needs of their clients, fostering an environment where acceptance and safety thrive. These strategies encourage clients to delve into their thoughts and emotions without hesitation or fear of criticism.
How does virtual therapy create a supportive space without in-person interaction?
Virtual therapy offers a secure and supportive environment by employing thoughtful approaches to build connection and trust. Therapists emphasize active listening, acknowledging emotions, and providing verbal affirmations, ensuring clients feel understood and valued. Strategies such as grounding exercises, tailored settings, and clearly defined boundaries help recreate the sense of security typically found in face-to-face sessions.
Despite the lack of physical presence, therapists strive to create a space where clients can openly explore their thoughts and emotions. By focusing on empathy and emotional safety, virtual therapy encourages self-reflection and personal growth, much like traditional therapy.