About Us
What is Held?
I first encountered the concept of “holding space” from the wise Heather Plett when I read the article where she coined the phrase. Since then it has inspired not only my practise as a nurse, but also how I parent and relate to anyone in my life who needs support.
When I was choosing a name for what I want to offer the world Held is what came to mind because it captures so much. It is holding space for the big emotions as well as healing. Holding space for the truth. It is coming alongside those who feel like they are failing or falling and creating a space and products where you do the work, but you are not alone.
Our mission is that everything we offer will help those who need it to feel held. Where you need your heart to feel held, someone to hold space for your work or a hand to hold, we are here to facilitate a space that is nurturing and safe, where the hard work of living and loving can be done, but where you are not alone. We are here to walk with you and hold that space for you.
We also value supporting our clients in creating boundaries and developing self care so that that space is built into their life. We believe that everyone needs to be held by a community around them and our aim is to give you the skills and the tools to create a life where you can feel held when you need it and hold those around you.
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About Us
Who is Jenn?
The Short Version:
I am sometimes a “hot mess”, but am also the first person to admit this. I also know I have so much to offer the world.
I often do not make dinner (but my husband loves me anyway), and I’m regularly late dropping my three mini messes off at school (they protest a little louder), but I have the joy of knowing that my husband and kids don’t love me despite my faults but because of them.
Although it might be considered a fault, I love hard. I see people for who they are and accept them where they are at, while also passionately believing in creating safe places for everyone to push beyond their comfort zone to become the best version of themselves.
Often I struggle with admitting my tenacious relationship with anxiety, depression, and ADHD and reluctantly admit that my childhood and career choice of nursing babies might have contributed to some post traumatic stress. However I also fiercely believe that our dark corners are what make us strong.
I believe in resilience and relationships. I know that if you sit around a table and hear the stories of those you don’t understand, it’s harder to judge them.
I know that deep down we all just want to feel held. To have our secrets known, our pain understood, and our hurt heard.
I like long walks in the sun with a glass of wine at the end, but also engage in puking and crying in hospital parkades after long, difficult nursing shifts. I know self care is evasive but life-giving, and that everything is easier when you have someone to hold your hand along the way and tell you, “You’ve got this.”j.s.
Who is Melissa?
The Short Version:
I am beautiful chaos wrapped up in one tiny human. I pour my heart and soul into absolutely everything I do and I love, hard. I feel things in big ways and I overshare. I love to root for the underdog. I believe in second chances (and third, and fourth.....) and I believe that if we just listened a little more we would understand a lot. My goals in life are; to leave things a little better than I found them, and to raise good human beings. I struggle with depression and have had a lifelong battle with anxiety.
My mental health struggles started very young, they were exacerbated when I battled post-partum anxiety after the birth of my second child. Things really spiralled for me when my eldest child was diagnosed with a palliative, genetic condition. This time in my life felt the most chaotic, I felt completely lost and alone, sometime in this crazy spiral I met Jenn. Jenn was so open and honest and unjudgemental. She felt safe to talk to, or to sit in silence with. She shared her own struggles with me and gave me the space to share my own. She inspired me to learn more about mental health, how to take care of myself and even how to care for others. Jenn held space for me and now I want to hold space for all of you. I know that deep down each and every one of us is just doing the best we can and we all need a safe place, a place to be held.
Held Wellness
Supporting your journey to mental wellness