Holding Space is a therapeutic support group for family carers in Carrick-on-Shannon, Longford Town and surrounds

The ethos behind Holding Space follows the well-known aeroplane safety announcement that you should put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. Family carers often forget or forego their own self-care. It is my intention to create and hold a safe, confidential and non-judgmental therapeutic space for family carers where your emotional and psychological wellbeing comes first. Unlike peer-led support groups, Holding Space is facilitated by a highly trained Psychotherapist. The many benefits for you include:

• a space for you to be seen and heard
• a sense of community and shared experience
• emotional healing
• personal growth
• introductory psychological education
• giving you more head space and emotional resilience in your caring role
• creating opportunity for positive change in your wider life
• professional psychological input and emotional support
• more affordable than individual therapy

I have combined my training in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy, experience providing therapy for adult carers in a charity setting, and personal experience as a young carer and family carer, to create this programme of therapeutic support and fun exercise-based psychological education. Don’t worry, there’s no homework or tests, and you don’t have to take notes. Summary handouts are available at the end of each session and a reading list is available on request.

Is Holding Space for you?

If you give any of the following support to a loved one, friend or neighbour …

• around the clock care
• assist personal hygiene
• assist cleaning and/or housekeeping
• prepare meals and/or help with shopping
• stay with someone who is vulnerable, or have them stay with you
• escort someone to appointments

then yes, you are a family carer and welcome to join Holding Space.

Group numbers are limited to 8. Once a group is filled, the same people will meet once each week. Having closed groups helps to build trust and rapport between members, and the continuity helps to foster more of a sense of community. There is a waiting list in place, so that a new group can start once enough people have expressed interest.

We follow a term time only schedule, from September to July (40 weeks). Group sessions are held weekly for 90 minutes, and take place on a weekday morning starting at 10:30am. Refreshments are provided The cost is €1,200 for the year, and you can pay in monthly or quarterly instalments. From Septepmer 2022, we will be meeting at The Roosky Centre, Main Street, Roosky (R371).

If you are interested in joining Holding Space, please email me at therapywithsasha@gmail.com to arrange your free 30-minute consultation. We will discuss your current therapeutic and support needs, the structure of Holding Space sessions, and logistics, to see if Holding Space might be the right fit for you.

You can’t pour from an empty cup. Join Holding Space for a refill.