3 Ways to Reduce Harm in Healing Spaces
As healing arts practitioners, our main goal is to create a safe and nurturing environment for our clients. However, harm can be unintentional, and it's essential to be mindful of the perspectives and experiences of the people who come into our healing spaces. In this blog post, we will provide a brief overview of episode 179 of the Playground Podcast “3 ways to reduce harm in healing spaces”. These are not the only answers, but rather a starting point for our conversation as we work towards creating safer and more inclusive healing spaces.
The Importance of Education
As healing arts practitioners, it is essential to understand the perspectives and experiences of people who come into our healing spaces. One way to do this is through education and continuous learning. As we learn, we can become more aware of our biases and how they may impact our clients. It's also essential to understand that our clients come to us with their unique experiences and backgrounds, and we must be mindful of that. Education can come in many different forms and requires a flexible mind. It's not about being obsessed with gathering information, but rather being open to ongoing learning.
Reducing harm in healing spaces is a crucial aspect of our work. Harm can be unintentional, such as microaggressions or implicit bias. Therefore, it's important to listen to the needs of our clients and create a safe space for them to express themselves. As space holders, we don't have to know everything, and it's okay not to have all the answers. What's vital is to be present and to listen without responding or judging.
Resetting the Group
Another way to reduce harm is by having the ability to reset the group. It is an advanced skill to be able to reset the energy of the group when someone shares something triggering. As practitioners, it is our responsibility to create a safe and nurturing environment for our clients. Therefore, it is important to create a new, safe space for the client to express themselves and ensure that everyone in the group feels comfortable and supported.
We can distract the group or divert their attention to something else. We can also create a new, safe space for them to express themselves. Examples may include taking a break to stretch or do a breathing exercise, changing the subject to something neutral, or acknowledging the triggering comment and offering support.
Listen vs. Respond
It's okay not to have the answers to everything. It’s crucial to remember that you’re a space holder, not a knower of everything. Most of the time, people just need a space to vent or to be held. By offering a listening ear and a compassionate heart, we can create a safe space where our clients can feel seen and heard.
Conclusion & Additional Resources
In conclusion, reducing harm in healing spaces is essential for the well-being of our clients. Education, listening, and the ability to reset the group are just a few ways that we can create a safe and nurturing environment. It's our responsibility as practitioners to continue our education and to be present for our clients.
Check out The Playground Podcast episode on reducing harm in healing spaces here.
