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The Art of Holding Space: A Practice of Love, Liberation, and Leadership
Nautilus Award Silver, Relationships & Communication 2020
Holding space is the practice of compassionately witnessing, accepting, and supporting someone without judgement, while retaining your boundaries and sense of self.
The ability to “hold space” for yourself and for others has never been more urgent. Faced with global issues of climate change, political unrest, violence, and economic crises, more citizens of the world are experiencing disconnection, grief, and a deep sense of loneliness than at any other time.
But, with the right tools, you and your circle can become part of the solution. In this profound book, facilitator and speaker Heather Plett empowers you with constructive, actionable practices for transforming conflict, building boundaries, and increasing sovereignty in your own life―and the lives of those closest to you.
You’ll
- How to create a non-judgmental space for yourself and others
- How to build trust and autonomy
- How to create and refine your circle of trust
- How to move through trauma
- How to reawaken your authentic identity
- How to work through conflict
- How to create “brave spaces” that allow for free expression
When we hold space for other people, we open our hearts, offer unconditional support, and let go of judgement and control. We show we are willing to walk alongside another person in whatever journey they’re on without making them feel inadequate, needing to change them, or trying to impact the outcome.
By holding space, you create a container for liberation to occur in your life and in society. The Art of Holding Space is an instrument for hope, transition, and positive change in our time of near-constant transition, as we yearn to emerge into a new story.
Holding space is the practice of compassionately witnessing, accepting, and supporting someone without judgement, while retaining your boundaries and sense of self.
The ability to “hold space” for yourself and for others has never been more urgent. Faced with global issues of climate change, political unrest, violence, and economic crises, more citizens of the world are experiencing disconnection, grief, and a deep sense of loneliness than at any other time.
But, with the right tools, you and your circle can become part of the solution. In this profound book, facilitator and speaker Heather Plett empowers you with constructive, actionable practices for transforming conflict, building boundaries, and increasing sovereignty in your own life―and the lives of those closest to you.
You’ll
- How to create a non-judgmental space for yourself and others
- How to build trust and autonomy
- How to create and refine your circle of trust
- How to move through trauma
- How to reawaken your authentic identity
- How to work through conflict
- How to create “brave spaces” that allow for free expression
When we hold space for other people, we open our hearts, offer unconditional support, and let go of judgement and control. We show we are willing to walk alongside another person in whatever journey they’re on without making them feel inadequate, needing to change them, or trying to impact the outcome.
By holding space, you create a container for liberation to occur in your life and in society. The Art of Holding Space is an instrument for hope, transition, and positive change in our time of near-constant transition, as we yearn to emerge into a new story.
360 pages, Paperback
Published September 29, 2020
213 people are currently reading
1263 people want to read
About the author
Heather Plett
3 books24 followersHeather Plett is the author of the book The Art of Holding Space: A Practice of Love, Liberation, and Leadership and Where Tenderness Lives: On Healing, Liberation and Holding Space for Oneself. She is also and international speaker and facilitator and the co-founder of the international Centre for Holding Space. Her work has been translated into a dozen languages and quoted in such notable publications as Harvard Business Review. She has trained people from six continents, both in person and online. Before launching her work in holding space, Heather worked in leadership and communications in government and non-profit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 11, 2021
I appreciate the overall premise and essential elements of holding space described in this book, and I deeply respect the author’s mission to equip people with the foundation to hold space for each other. I believe this book will be of service to many.
And, Chapters 7 and 8 were quite troublesome to me to the extent that they have spoiled my view of this book. She goes into great detail about her ex husband’s suicide attempts, focusing heavily on the toll it took on her. I hope that her ex husband fully consented to having his toughest moments written about extensively in this book. Assuming that he did, I did not appreciate the moral superiority that she seemed to apply toward herself in relation to him (“would forever have to be the strong one” p. 98). I am so glad that she set boundaries for herself in this relationship, and I respect their decision to end it. But the fact that his darkest moments of suffering recurred in the book as a foundation upon which her points could be made (and sold) felt icky.
And then to make matters worse, the very next chapter about problematic behaviors said “remember that this is a list of behaviors, not people” (p. 111) and then contradicted that statement in the next page, listing typecasted descriptions of people (“the leech” “the space hog”). Why couldn’t she list behaviors (“dominating the discussion”) and not types of people (“space hog”) if that’s what she meant to do?
Love the bowl metaphor. The liminal space, essential elements of holding space, and power/privilege chapters at the end were fantastic.
And, Chapters 7 and 8 were quite troublesome to me to the extent that they have spoiled my view of this book. She goes into great detail about her ex husband’s suicide attempts, focusing heavily on the toll it took on her. I hope that her ex husband fully consented to having his toughest moments written about extensively in this book. Assuming that he did, I did not appreciate the moral superiority that she seemed to apply toward herself in relation to him (“would forever have to be the strong one” p. 98). I am so glad that she set boundaries for herself in this relationship, and I respect their decision to end it. But the fact that his darkest moments of suffering recurred in the book as a foundation upon which her points could be made (and sold) felt icky.
And then to make matters worse, the very next chapter about problematic behaviors said “remember that this is a list of behaviors, not people” (p. 111) and then contradicted that statement in the next page, listing typecasted descriptions of people (“the leech” “the space hog”). Why couldn’t she list behaviors (“dominating the discussion”) and not types of people (“space hog”) if that’s what she meant to do?
Love the bowl metaphor. The liminal space, essential elements of holding space, and power/privilege chapters at the end were fantastic.
October 22, 2020
what a brilliant essential book on being with others and ourselves.
November 29, 2020
“The Art of Holding Space, a practice of love, liberation, and leadership” by Heather Plett is a must-read, an essential study, and a fundamental for all of us soul searchers, wisdom detectives, life coaches, teachers, counselors, and mentors of every kind. The actual practice of Holding Space begins with each of us, the self.
We are living in a time like no other. Each of us is backed against a wall, under the gun, blindsided, or hijacked in how we get through each day. How do we cope with how fast the world is changing?
“The Art of Holding Space” offers options, understandings, practices, and possibilities for each of us to explore a deeper way to love ourselves, to listen wholeheartedly to our truth, to become more aware of our inner voice, and to love more compassionately.
Personal growth is so vital in the coming transformational times. “The Art of Holding Space” package of the book, the journal, and the cards provides a daily practice needed for every one of us to succeed through the tricky confusion of today’s world and tomorrow’s possibilities.
The Holding Space Journal and the Cards bring rise to open our consciousness with incredible insight on our personal journey of Holding Space for ourselves, for our families, and for our communities. The future of humanity depends on holding space for one another and for our whole planet.
Every person on this planet can benefit from the powerful wisdom of “The Holding Space, a practice of love, liberation, and leadership.”
We are living in a time like no other. Each of us is backed against a wall, under the gun, blindsided, or hijacked in how we get through each day. How do we cope with how fast the world is changing?
“The Art of Holding Space” offers options, understandings, practices, and possibilities for each of us to explore a deeper way to love ourselves, to listen wholeheartedly to our truth, to become more aware of our inner voice, and to love more compassionately.
Personal growth is so vital in the coming transformational times. “The Art of Holding Space” package of the book, the journal, and the cards provides a daily practice needed for every one of us to succeed through the tricky confusion of today’s world and tomorrow’s possibilities.
The Holding Space Journal and the Cards bring rise to open our consciousness with incredible insight on our personal journey of Holding Space for ourselves, for our families, and for our communities. The future of humanity depends on holding space for one another and for our whole planet.
Every person on this planet can benefit from the powerful wisdom of “The Holding Space, a practice of love, liberation, and leadership.”
January 18, 2023
This book has a couple of great concepts around holding space and autheticity. Yet it loses the core of “how to” into long chapters on politics and inclusion. I would have loved to have more details of the first practical concepts, rather than the non-original discourse in the last hundred pages or so.
August 6, 2022
3.5
The vast majority of this book I found helpful and will reread. Holding space is something everyone needs to improve and continuously reflect on. Very helpful on practical exercises and situations.
The thing that rubbed me wrong, probably because I have experience with the subject, is her portrayal of her ex husbands suicide attempt and mental illness struggles. It was the authors perspective and how it impacted her but if that was written about one of my loved ones I’ve lost it would hurt.
I will be revisiting this book because there is great content in it. I just will be skipping some sections.
The vast majority of this book I found helpful and will reread. Holding space is something everyone needs to improve and continuously reflect on. Very helpful on practical exercises and situations.
The thing that rubbed me wrong, probably because I have experience with the subject, is her portrayal of her ex husbands suicide attempt and mental illness struggles. It was the authors perspective and how it impacted her but if that was written about one of my loved ones I’ve lost it would hurt.
I will be revisiting this book because there is great content in it. I just will be skipping some sections.
August 5, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! It taught me so much about coming together in community and had great visualisations and questions in there.
Especially the part around making a safe space a brave space, really gave me the words to what I have been feeling when hosting my women circle.
I think its quite an inclusive book trying to capture different angles and cultures.
I agree with some comments that it has a lot of personal stories, some of which around the ex partner that feel a bit too private to share, but I also appreciate the humbleness and vulnerability that comes with it.
Other than that, I think many people would benefit from reading it and would highly recommend.
Especially the part around making a safe space a brave space, really gave me the words to what I have been feeling when hosting my women circle.
I think its quite an inclusive book trying to capture different angles and cultures.
I agree with some comments that it has a lot of personal stories, some of which around the ex partner that feel a bit too private to share, but I also appreciate the humbleness and vulnerability that comes with it.
Other than that, I think many people would benefit from reading it and would highly recommend.
January 6, 2025
Beautifully written
July 1, 2021
Everyone can benefit from reading this- foe parenting, relationships, work life- if you’re a teacher or work with humans in any capacity this book has value. Some parts get a little long, but that’s what skimming is for!
May 10, 2022
I cannot overstate how much this book has helped me grow as a person. For anyone interested in being more in tune with their own emotions, how they interact with others, and how to create brave communal spaces--this is the book to read. This book is also the companion to the Foundations for Holding Space course, which Heather Plett facilitates, which is also phenomenal and changed my life. If everyone read this book, the world would be a better place.
October 21, 2023
The Art of Holding Space' starts strong but soon falters, with the author's position as a North American white woman sometimes feeling out of step.
July 12, 2024
2 stars. I can get behind the general concept of this book easily, but finishing it really felt like a victory. I liked the original analogy Plett presents of taking apart the lego creation and needing to keep the pieces together before building something new as a clear illustration of her concept. There is just so (so!) much more detail added. I can see Plett was trying to flush out her idea, but to me, she tried to tie in so much that some sections felt like a real stretch to link back.
I am not a nonfiction lover, but did recently read Good Inside by Becky Kennedy, and it was too tempting to compare these two books. Dr. Becky’s seemed so intuitive and cohesive, versus Plett’s big reaches that sometimes take a lot of convincing to connect. Both books took “work” to dig into, asked readers to recognize and acknowledge past mistakes, and advocated for a new approach to supporting our people, but whereas Good Inside felt so accepting and positive—we are all inherently good inside—Holding Space felt more like, “I know you’re doing this wrong and I’ll tell you how to fix it”.
I can appreciate Plett has had international success and that my opinion may be in the minority, but I will take a few glimmers from this book and move on from this author.
I am not a nonfiction lover, but did recently read Good Inside by Becky Kennedy, and it was too tempting to compare these two books. Dr. Becky’s seemed so intuitive and cohesive, versus Plett’s big reaches that sometimes take a lot of convincing to connect. Both books took “work” to dig into, asked readers to recognize and acknowledge past mistakes, and advocated for a new approach to supporting our people, but whereas Good Inside felt so accepting and positive—we are all inherently good inside—Holding Space felt more like, “I know you’re doing this wrong and I’ll tell you how to fix it”.
I can appreciate Plett has had international success and that my opinion may be in the minority, but I will take a few glimmers from this book and move on from this author.
August 3, 2025
Tựa Việt: Ôm giữ không gian
Dễ chịu, healing và hay
Ôm giữ không gian cho người khác, nhưng cũng nhớ làm điều đó cho bản thân hay để người khác làm điều đó cho bản thân
mình đang đọc tới phần cuối. có nét giống Seligman. Seligman cho rằng con người mình bị bi quan là do đại loại kiểu, chủ nghĩa cá nhân, sống cho cái tôi/cái riêng quá và các định chế hay những cái chung (gia đình, đất nước, đức tin (Chúa...)),...) bị suy giảm vị thế, thì con người bị mất những cái chỗ dựa, chỉ còn lại cái tôi vốn mỏng manh, nhỏ bé để dựa vào và tất nhiên là cái tôi không đủ để chống đỡ, cũng như với chủ nghĩa cá nhân, nếu bạn quy tất cả thành công hay những gì đạt được đều là do bạn hay bạn giỏi thì tương tự với thất bại thì bạn cũng dễ quy về bản thân mình dở, kém, bất tài. Plett cũng nói rằng chúng ta đang sống kiểu hơi cá nhân, phải tỏ ra mình độc lập thay vì hỏi xin sự giúp đỡ hay sống trong một cộng đồng mà ta chăm sóc mọi người và mọi người chăm sóc lại mình - con người phương Tây sống độc lập và cá nhân quá nên giờ phải đi học lại và tìm lại những thứ kiểu "Ôm giữ không gian" thế này, trong khi với những nền văn hóa khác, như một ví dụ Plett đề cập ở châu Phi, thì người ta nói với bà rằng người ta vốn đã sống theo kiểu holding space với nhau một cách tự nhiên
Dễ chịu, healing và hay
Ôm giữ không gian cho người khác, nhưng cũng nhớ làm điều đó cho bản thân hay để người khác làm điều đó cho bản thân
mình đang đọc tới phần cuối. có nét giống Seligman. Seligman cho rằng con người mình bị bi quan là do đại loại kiểu, chủ nghĩa cá nhân, sống cho cái tôi/cái riêng quá và các định chế hay những cái chung (gia đình, đất nước, đức tin (Chúa...)),...) bị suy giảm vị thế, thì con người bị mất những cái chỗ dựa, chỉ còn lại cái tôi vốn mỏng manh, nhỏ bé để dựa vào và tất nhiên là cái tôi không đủ để chống đỡ, cũng như với chủ nghĩa cá nhân, nếu bạn quy tất cả thành công hay những gì đạt được đều là do bạn hay bạn giỏi thì tương tự với thất bại thì bạn cũng dễ quy về bản thân mình dở, kém, bất tài. Plett cũng nói rằng chúng ta đang sống kiểu hơi cá nhân, phải tỏ ra mình độc lập thay vì hỏi xin sự giúp đỡ hay sống trong một cộng đồng mà ta chăm sóc mọi người và mọi người chăm sóc lại mình - con người phương Tây sống độc lập và cá nhân quá nên giờ phải đi học lại và tìm lại những thứ kiểu "Ôm giữ không gian" thế này, trong khi với những nền văn hóa khác, như một ví dụ Plett đề cập ở châu Phi, thì người ta nói với bà rằng người ta vốn đã sống theo kiểu holding space với nhau một cách tự nhiên
April 4, 2021
This book lays a strong groundwork for the art of holding space on a more global scale. I am touched by the humility in every word and every page. Heather’s lived experiences are demonstrations of what it means to develop one’s capacity to hold space. It is not a destination-driven journey but the journey itself in which we continue to grow as we are met with different challenges in our lives. What is significant in this work is its determination to tie personal development work with interpersonal relationship building and social justice work. While it is still an initlal attempt to examine how we can hold space in complexity and intersectionality, the book brings crucial concepts to the readers’ awareness and important questions to begin dismantling our inherent systemic biases. This book should not be read with rush. Take the time to pause, reflect, observe, journal and come back from time to time.
July 12, 2025
It is such a long time, I feel the power of a book holding their welcome message to the last word...The first time I heard about holding space is around 5 years ago. I wish I would have read this book earlier.
Heather did a truly beautiul work with life-long lasting impression, opening a new way to see how we connect, care and nourish each other. As a reader, holding a book in my hand feel like practing holding space which is gently given by the author. Her bravery and vulnerability touch my heart, my mind and my body cell. In her newest blog, I totally agree with her about “Building relationships to end hunger”, I have been witnessing many holding-space practitioner in my life but this is very first time this art really touch me. The book is a strong reminder about the beauty of holding space to me now and in the future.
Heather did a truly beautiul work with life-long lasting impression, opening a new way to see how we connect, care and nourish each other. As a reader, holding a book in my hand feel like practing holding space which is gently given by the author. Her bravery and vulnerability touch my heart, my mind and my body cell. In her newest blog, I totally agree with her about “Building relationships to end hunger”, I have been witnessing many holding-space practitioner in my life but this is very first time this art really touch me. The book is a strong reminder about the beauty of holding space to me now and in the future.
April 17, 2024
The term holding space has become an overused buzz word of sorts, but in THE ART OF HOLDING SPACE Platt details what it truly means to sit in spaces of ambiguity or disorientation, to deny our need to fix or rescue, and to allow discomfort to seep into the hard parts of life—the liminal space. One of my biggest take-aways was Platt’s reminder that to hold space for others we have to first learn to hold space for ourselves. She gives us permission to step aside, to heal, and to love ourselves when our own lives are hard. This doesn’t make us a “bad” person/friend/parent, but rather a human who can’t be the space holder all the time. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to strengthen their relationships with others and themselves.
January 30, 2021
This book is pretty fantastic. Yup it is definitely full of what you need to hold space: for your friends who are grieving, for a hard family conflict, for that group you facilitate. Also. It’s kinda really great and full of things about how to human? I appreciated how heather put words to things I’d been noticing and tuning into but didn’t know how to name yet. The points about psychic membranes (I’m calling those internal boundaries), sovereignty, connection to personal healing work... so spot on. A really really valuable resource that I expect (hope?) becomes a go-to for educators, healers, etc for years to come.
March 10, 2025
3.5 star.
nội dung: mình nghĩ đây là một cuốn sách tốt về mental health & therapy, được package lại dưới một khái niệm khá mới mẻ và đầy đủ: ôm giữ không gian, chiếc bát chứa đựng yêu thương, màng bọc tinh thần và cách ôm giữ healthy nhất. việc đồng hành cùng ai đó qua quá trình chuyển hoá không nhất thiết phải là từ therapist với khách hàng, mà nó là việc mà bất kỳ ai cũng có thể làm cho nhau. nhìn chung là một sách nhập môn đọc được cho những người bắt đầu tìm hiểu về tâm lý.
writing: hơi dài dòng nên dày không cần thiết, cách viết không được hấp dẫn cho lắm. một vài đoạn nói về người chồng cố gắng suic!de khiến mình hơi quan ngại về tính bảo mật cho nhân vật.
nội dung: mình nghĩ đây là một cuốn sách tốt về mental health & therapy, được package lại dưới một khái niệm khá mới mẻ và đầy đủ: ôm giữ không gian, chiếc bát chứa đựng yêu thương, màng bọc tinh thần và cách ôm giữ healthy nhất. việc đồng hành cùng ai đó qua quá trình chuyển hoá không nhất thiết phải là từ therapist với khách hàng, mà nó là việc mà bất kỳ ai cũng có thể làm cho nhau. nhìn chung là một sách nhập môn đọc được cho những người bắt đầu tìm hiểu về tâm lý.
writing: hơi dài dòng nên dày không cần thiết, cách viết không được hấp dẫn cho lắm. một vài đoạn nói về người chồng cố gắng suic!de khiến mình hơi quan ngại về tính bảo mật cho nhân vật.
November 9, 2022
It was so timely to have discovered this book in a small bookstore while on holiday in Victoria. Timely in the sense that I was on the eve of retiring from not only from a career, more so a calling, that spanned almost four decades. I have still have plans and goals that involve continued caregiving and serving by holding space for others. This book very much presented at just the perfect time to hold space for me and my dreams. I could definitely feel the “love, liberation, and leadership” offered in this space.
July 7, 2025
compassionate exploration of what it means to support others without trying to fix, rescue, or control. Plett weaves personal stories, professional insights, and practical advice into a guide that feels both grounded and nurturing. What keeps this from being a full five stars for me is that some parts of the book felt slightly repetitive, and a few sections leaned more toward the anecdotal than the instructional
April 9, 2021
I read this book as part of a 6 month long workshop I did for personal growth. I have learned so much as a human from this book. I definitely advise reading this one slowly, and in a circle/group where you can discuss weekly if possible. I learned so much from this book but also from the people with whom I shared the experience of reading it with. ❤️
April 27, 2023
4,5 eigenlijk. Heldere uitleg van het begrip ‘holding space’ en hoe je het kunt inzetten voor de ander maar ook voor jezelf. En hoe dit van betekenis kan zijn voor de wereld. Ook dat er brave space nodig is, moed om iets in te brengen,aan te geven. En het gebied van de liminal space, de onbekende ruimte van verandering. Goed uitgelegd, makkelijk leesbaar, fijne voorbeelden
December 27, 2023
A great text on working and living with diversity and the how to of inclusion. A bit long winded in parts, but so very spot on in others. It helped to read a few chapters and put down for a bit marking sections to return to. Good references and poems accompany pointers and summaries of chapters. Illustrations using the bowl analogy were helpful. Worth a second read.
February 17, 2021
Deep, articulate & poetic
I savored this book and felt both challenged and inspired by it powerful words and messages. I have been putting into practice some of the ideas and encourage others to read it to deepen their ability to hold space for themselves and others.
I savored this book and felt both challenged and inspired by it powerful words and messages. I have been putting into practice some of the ideas and encourage others to read it to deepen their ability to hold space for themselves and others.
April 21, 2021
I loved this book, Heathers exploration of holding space and the many places we have already seen concepts like this is insightful. The topics she dives into are applicable to personal and professional life, and everywhere in between.
November 9, 2022
There is a lot of good stuff in this book, especially for those in caring professions. However, there were a number of things that I could not get on board with. Still it is worth going through and taking the principles that are helpful.
November 11, 2022
Een fantastisch inzicht om bij te dragen tot een team, mensen te zien groeien, leiderschap te ontwikkelen. Super ! Het dagdagelijks leven is wellicht moeilijker maar de moeite waard om te proberen denk ik. I am in :-)
September 12, 2023
A wonderful mix of theory on holding space and personal accounts and experiences of success and failure. The last section of the book is definitely something all individuals in positions of power should read.
May 30, 2021
Anyone who is human ought to read this book.
September 23, 2021
Beautiful and hopeful book. Everyone can learn something from it. If all of us would practice this a bit more, then the divisions between groups people could diminish and maybe even disappear.
January 2, 2022
Great book for circle facilitators, therapists, coaches or anyone who wants to deepen their relationships
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews