Individual & Group Holder Work
What is Holder Work?
“Being held” involves direct physical contact by professionally and ethically trained Holders in either one-on-one or group settings. Positions can include various types of cuddling, spooning, caressing, leaning against, lifting, and many other forms that mimic pre-verbal, baby states of consciousness. This work is rooted in compassionate and secure connection, emphasizing boundaries, communication, and informed consent.
What is the Significance of Being Held?
The power of human touch and compassionate physical connection is incredibly transformational. Numerous studies have shown that humans experience a multitude of beneficial outcomes when being held therapeutically, including but not limited to reduced anxiety, improved sleep quality, improved depth of relaxation, and deeper capacity to engage in inner reflection, self-regulation, and healing.
“Holding Work can induce a deeply felt sense of safety and inner ease, allowing us to tap into pre-verbal states and access traumatic material that we simply did not have words for when it happened, but are still impacted by every day.”
Stephanie Watts, Holder & Facilitator
What Can You Expect From a Holding Session?
You and your Holder will discuss ahead of time your intentions for being held, your boundaries, and any questions or concerns that you might have. If a facilitator is present, they will structure the session around your needs and goals and make suggestions for useful positions to encourage deeper healing.
How do Holders Circles Work?
Holders Circles are group experiences where 6-8 participants gather for a day-long event with their own individual holder, within the setting of a larger group container. There is a main group facilitator monitoring the participants and ensuring safety and compassionate care throughout the event.
Garrett, B., & Riou, M. (2021). A rapid evidence assessment of recent therapeutic touch research. Nursing open, 8(5), 2318–2330. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.841
Ocklenburg, S. (2024, April 14). New findings on the healing power of touch. Psychology Today. Accessed November 1, 2025, from http://psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-asymmetric-brain/202404/the-healing-power-of-touch-new-scientific-insights
Paulsen, L. (2025, July 3). Hands on healing: The evidence behind therapeutic touch. Stanford Medicine 25 Blog. Accessed November 1, 2025, from https://med.stanford.edu/stanfordmedicine25/blog/archive/20240/touch-and-healing.html