Definition
A therapeutic or interpersonal practice of being emotionally present and accepting for someone without trying to fix, judge, or change their experience; creating a safe psychological container where someone can express difficult emotions or thoughts. Often used in therapy, counseling, and supportive friendships.
Example Usage
When her friend went through a divorce, she held space for her grief by listening without offering advice or trying to cheer her up.
Origin
Emerged from humanistic and person-centered therapy approaches (Carl Rogers, etc.) in the mid-20th century; gained popular usage in wellness and coaching circles from the 2000s onward.
Fun Fact
The phrase 'holding space' has become so popular in modern therapy and coaching that it's sometimes used vaguely to mean almost any kind of emotional support.
Related Terms
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