Become a certified Space-holder.
The home-coming.
From June to August this year, come home to your innate gifts & learn the art of space-holding in a way that feels authentic to you, with a holistic approach grounded in intention and integrity. Graduate & know how to integrate space-holding skills into offerings for your heart-centered business. This is the only time I’m teaching it in 2024.
We’ll gather for six calls over three months, so you experience spacious yet devoted learning with bi-monthly Circle-style Workshops held by me, featuring amazing Guest Teachers who are experts in space-holding. As well as a student portal with a library of supportive training materials and community support.
For over four years I have been curating workshops, facilitating women's circles online and in-person, guiding meditations, leading group mentorships, and providing one-on-one support within my cyclical business. My experience in holding space empowers people & their confidence, clarity and creativity, all over the world. Creating and holding space, is creating homes for people’s heart and art. Would you like to learn or deepen into this craft, together?
[ Cart closes Friday May 24th at midnight ]
Monthly Calls
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Guest Teachers
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Bonus Graduation Program
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Monthly Calls ○ Guest Teachers ○ Bonus Graduation Program ○
“Holding space for someone means that you offer them the opportunity to be seen and heard fully.”
In our businesses & our personal lives, there is a priceless positive impact having a high quality space where we’re seen, heard, and held. This space acts as a nurturing environment where our true ideas and feelings can bloom, our voices can resonate, and our vulnerabilities can be embraced. When we create such a space for ourselves and others, we foster trust, authenticity and genuine growth. Whether it’s a virtual space like an online community, or an in-person women’s circle or beautiful group event, the importance remains the same: to provide a supportive environment where individuals feel valued, understood and connected.
This is why & how you can create meaningful change in your community and grow your business services, as a certified Space-Holder. Join our wave of intentional, confident space-holders, and create ripples in your community where people are seen, heard and held.
"The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned."
- Maya Angelou
Teachers
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Sophie French
Hi, it’s me! I’m the lead Teacher & guide of this training to become a certified Space-Holder. I specialise in Creativity, working with Cycles and Seasons and Business expansion.
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Bonus Teacher: Clare Foale
Seasoned Space and Circle holder, Autistic + ADHD woman. Counsellor in Training. Sharing practical circle-skills and guidance for inclusivity, language and story-telling.
@clarefoale -
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Bonus Teacher: Shannon Powell
Postpartum Doula & owner of Nourish Hub Cacao. Experienced holder of Circles & Ceremonies. Sharing rituals and activites ideas and event management skills.
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Bonus Teacher: Micheline Fowler
Embodiment Coach & Event Co-Ordinator, specialising in Somatic Inquiry. Sharing practices to engage group gatherings, nervous system support for facilitators + attendees.
@gatheringthesacred
This 20 hour Online Certification includes:
3 months of Learning & Community
6 x Calls held by Sophie (2 per month)
3 calls feature amazing Guest Teachers; Clare Foale, Shannon Powell & Micheline Fowlers
Private Student Portal will be home to all training content, recordings & prerecorded video and audio lessons.
Bonus Resources supporting your space-holding skills including Guided Meditations + Practices by Sophie, Guest Teacher resources and further printable resources to reference beyond the training.
Space-Holder Certificate + Gift in the mail upon meeting training requirements.
[Call Times + Recordings]: Call times will vary to cater for timezones of this cohort, either 11am AEDT and 7pm AEDT. Most calls will be scheduled for Wednesday (or another suitable time for the group). All calls are recorded and available in your private learning portal to watch any time.
Enrol Here.
Cart closes Friday May 24th
Or, choose an extended payment plan.
What is a space-holder?
A space-holder hosts group experiences like workshops or women’s circles, for people with a common interest and shared intention for gathering.
Being a space-holder means guiding yourself and others back to a place of authenticity and belonging. It's about holding a space (in circle or workshops) where people can be themselves, free from judgment or pretence. Through deep listening and compassionate support, you help people rediscover their inner truth and feel a sense of connection and acceptance. As a space-holder, you are fostering self-care and community-care where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
You create homes for the heart.
Delving into and practicing a diverse range of skills, including guided meditation, reflective writing, embodiment and energetics, you’ll learn to craft tailored unique group experiences, designed for your passion and community.
This training prioritises practicality, creativity, inclusivity, community, and evidence-based practices. Join the only training in 2024, to deepen your understanding of holding space for yourself and others as a service, overcome self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and cultivate connections with like-minded people.
It isn't only about gaining certification; but the home-coming to your innate gifts and holding others in a way that feels like, home.
By the end of August, you’ll feel confident in your space holding, to ensure you are the reason people feel seen, heard and held.
This training isn't about striving for perfection as a space-holder. Instead, it focuses on cultivating resilience, self-awareness, and sustainable practices in space-holding.
You don't need to be in the ‘perfect’ conditions to begin your journey as a space-holder (or deepen it). However, this training ensures that you're prepared to care for yourself and honour others effectively when facilitating space, fostering connection and meaningful experiences.
This training is ideal for:
Women passionate about women coming together and supporting one another, Embodiment or Somatic Coaches, Astrologers or Human Design Readers, Painters, Potters, Poets, Florists or Musicians, Environmental + Social Justice activists, Yoga and Meditation teachers & Energetic Arts Practitioners.
If you're already holding space in your community with depth and intention, you know the journey is ever-evolving. That's why my training offers a unique opportunity to deepen your practice and attain certification with the International Institute of Complementary Therapists. By joining us, you'll refine your techniques, connect with a supportive community, and elevate your practice.
1) noun/verb/adjective.
Belonging | Haven | Space
; Step into your role as a space-holder and create energetic, emotional and physical spaces that become a haven, where people can come home to themselves.
Certification
Upon completion of all training requirements in Space-Holder Training with me, you are invited to apply with your certificate to IICT, as they provide you insurance to practice as well as a range of resources to assist your Complementary therapy practice, including:
IICT Professional Seals & Logos for use on all of your promotional materials including flyers, website and social media.
Informed Client Consent & Intake Forms
Practitioner Stationery Kit
IICT Policies and Codes.
In the art of holding space, we become mirrors reflecting back the beauty, strength, and wisdom that resides within.
Holding space is witnessing without fixing, listening without judging.
Holding space is about offering our presence and support, helping others feel seen, heard, and valued.
Holding space can be empowering, educative, provide community belonging and create positive impact.
Meet Sophie
SPACE-HOLDER TEACHER + MENTOR.
Sophie French is a nurturing space holder & holistic mentor with a modality rich approach in her mission to support incredible people to feel empowered by their intuition and inner wisdom to guide their confidence and conviction in life. As a wild creative, cyclical living advocate, Sophie holds spaces that are calming & nourishing with her earthy, grounded energy.
Sophie has been curating workshops, facilitating women's circles, guiding meditations, leading group mentorships, and providing one-on-one support for four years within her innovative, cyclical business. Her work has empowered women and their businesses, globally.
* EXTENDED PAYMENT PLANS *
6 or 8 months
Space-Holder Training
FAQS
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A tax invoice/receipt can be provided from this training for you to provide when applying to claim this as an expense, if appropriate for your business.
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With years of experience facilitating women's circles and a background in psychology, coaching, branding & business mentoring, I offer comprehensive support every step of the way.
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The Space-Holder Training is for anyone seeking personal growth, community connection, or professional development. Whether you're starting fresh or adding circles to an existing business, this training is designed to empower you on your journey.
This training prioritises practicality, creativity, inclusivity, community, and evidence-based practices. Join us to deepen your understanding of holding space for yourself and others as a service, overcome self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and cultivate connections with like-minded women.
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This is 100% online and hosted through a private portal platform, You will be asked to create a login with an email and password when you purchase. Some lessons will be in the portal and some will be live Calls and circles held on Zoom.
[Call Times + Recordings]: Call times will vary to cater for timezones of this cohort, either 11am AEDT and 7pm AEDT. All calls + lessons will be recorded and available in your private learning portal to watch any time.
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You'll not only gain valuable knowledge and skills but also receive practical guides, downloads, and printables to support you in your journey. These resources, such as audio lessons, step by step guides, worksheets, presentation slides, which are designed to be your go-to companions after the training ends. They offer ongoing support and empowerment, helping you hold space for yourself and others.
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Looking to join this Space-Holder Training but concerned about investing? I offer 2 scholarships and sliding scale options to ensure accessibility for all. Apply for a scholarship alongside your program application. I personally review based on financial need, merit.
My sliding scale accommodates diverse financial situations and BIPOC. I’m committed to inclusive education. Apply for a scholarship via email here or inquire about sliding scale options today.
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Contemporary circle facilitators + space-holders serve as community advocates, gathering individuals to honour significant life milestones, exchange narratives, and foster connections with themselves and others. Their role entails establishing the ambiance of the circle and establishing collectively agreed-upon standards, principles, and limits (such as confidentiality, impartiality, refraining from advising or fixing, and communicating from personal encounters).
Note: Space-holders/Circle holders do not function as coaches or therapists. They should always direct participants to qualified healthcare providers for issues beyond their scope of xpertise.
You can be certified in this training and insured to practice through the International Institute for Complementary Therapists, who I (Sophie) have been insured with for four years. They provide so much extended support for members including Client Waiver forms, Consent Forms, Website logos, and Community resources and connection. -
What separates a casual brunch, coffee or conversation with a friend or client, the INTENTION and certified space-holding skills. An invisible contract. A group experience, circle or workshop becomes a sacred space with implementation of boundaries, intention and guidelines of participation.
Things to be aware of as core skills and differences of a certified space-holder:
Community Advocacy: Serve as advocates and connectors for the community.
Guidance: Offer accessible practices and activities to foster self-connection and community-connection.
Boundaries: Set parameters and structure circles effectively.
Communication: Use appropriate and respectful communication.
Confidentiality: Uphold confidentiality policies.
Non-judgment: Practice non-judgmental behavior.
Shared Values: Set intentions based on shared values.
Vision: Hold vision for sharing stories and belonging.
Inspiring Experiences: Provide kind, respectful, and often inspiring group experiences.
Establish Guidelines: Establish boundaries and guidelines.
Zero Tolerance: Have zero tolerance for discrimination, prejudice, or bullying within circle space.
Body Autonomy: Advocate for body autonomy and self-responsibility.
Accessibility: Ensure open conversation for accessibility and trauma-aware practice.
Embodied Experience: Speak from personal embodied experience.
Professional Scope: Understand they are not therapists or medical professionals.
Referral: Direct or refer community participants to appropriate healthcare providers.
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Interested in joining the Space-Holder Training but concerned about the upfront cost?
Yes, I offer flexible payment plans to suit your needs. Whether you prefer fortnightly or monthly payments, I’ve got options for you. Reach out today to inquire about payment plan options if you can’t find them on this page and take the first step toward your journey in the Space-Holder Training.
Space-holding feels like..
Practical Application
Prioritise practicality and real-world applicability of your Space-holding. Gain access to tangible tools, skills, and strategies that can be applied to navigate and grow your practice and services, with confidence.
Creative Practices
Experience a highly creative approach to women’s gatherings. Incorporating a variety of creative practices, such as art, storytelling, movement, and ritual, to enhance the depth and richness of the circles, workshops and group experiences.
Inclusivity and Diversity
Commit to fostering an inclusive community where people from all backgrounds feel welcomed, valued, and respected. Embrace diversity in your curriculum and create a culture of openness, respect, and acceptance.
Community and Support
Become part of a supportive and collaborative community of like-minded women. Receive ongoing support, encouragement, and mentorship from me. Build relationships based on mutual respect and trust.
Evidence-Based Practices
The training is grounded in evidence-based practices from fields such as psychology, neuroscience, and personal development. Receive reliable and effective tools for personal and professional growth, supported by practices that have been proven to yield results.
Deeper Connection
Through my program, you learn not only the practical skills but also the deeper principles of empathy, compassion, and active listening. By honing these skills, space-holders are empowered to create environments where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
Be the reason someone feels seen, heard & held.
My words from the last Retreat I co-hosted;
“A house overlooking a lagoon, sunrise to sunset surrounded by Kookaburra song, on Darkinjung land. A warmth of cheerful chats and deep conversation. Laughter & tears that roll down cheeks. Daily sips of cacao by a roaring fire, lounged in the jungle room enveloped by 50 shades of green. A holding of hearts. A lengthening of hugs.
A doorway of leaving our other roles behind, opening to receive and remember. A timestamp of letting and setting authentic intentions for the season ahead. A paint & sip, to create and celebrate individuality. Hearty food & stories filling our souls up. Feminine yoga wrapped up warm on the deck. Gentle moments for being in circle, connecting with our truth, emotions & bodies.
A true womb of a weekend.”
TESTIMONIAL:
“The most nourishing & wholesome weekend! So much love”
