Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ellen Barber. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ellen, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What was your school or training experience like? Share an anecdote or two that you feel illustrate important aspects or the overall nature of your schooling/training experience.

My training in energy work has been a deeply personal journey, one that has constantly called me to check back in with my faith and ensure I’m staying aligned with my values. Growing up, energy work like Reiki was very natural to me—my grandmother and aunts all practiced it, so I never felt any resistance or questioning around it. It was simply part of my life and spiritual practice.

But as I delved deeper into other modalities, I had to pause and make sure I was still walking in alignment. One example of this was when I began working with crystals. I found myself hesitant at first, not because I doubted their power, but because I wanted to be sure I wasn’t holding them in too high regard. I’ve always believed that our practices should enhance our connection to God or spirit, not replace it. So there was this ongoing dialogue within me—how do I honor these tools while keeping my faith at the center of my work?

It’s this constant need for alignment that I think has been one of the most important parts of my training. I’ve had to learn to trust my intuition and listen when something feels off. There’s always that balance—between learning something new, whether it’s working with crystals or practicing a new healing technique, and making sure it integrates with my spiritual foundation.

At the same time, the training itself has been incredibly freeing. While I’m always reassessing and fine-tuning, I’ve also experienced moments of deep connection that affirm I’m exactly where I need to be. One pivotal moment in my healing journey was during a course I took with Jenny Aiello. It was the first time I felt my soul truly “come home,” and that feeling has been a guiding light in everything I do now.

I think that’s the beauty of this work—there’s always room for growth, but it’s the alignment that keeps everything anchored and true.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Ellen Barber, the founder of Holding Space Healing, and my journey into the world of energy work began long before I started practicing professionally. I come from a family of healers—my grandmother and aunts practiced Reiki, so this work has always been a part of my life. But it wasn’t until 2018, during a pivotal moment in my own healing journey, that I truly stepped into this path as a calling. After experiencing deep personal and emotional wounds, I discovered that my own healing was preparing me to walk alongside others, particularly those in therapy or experiencing significant life challenges.

At Holding Space Healing, I offer a range of energy healing services, including Reiki, Archangelic Light, and Ancestral Healing. These sessions are designed to help clients who may feel stuck in their emotional, physical, or spiritual journeys, whether they’re dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, or simply feeling disconnected. My clients are often individuals who are in therapy and are looking for additional support, or those just starting out on their healing paths. I focus on working with therapists, counselors, and life coaches to complement the traditional therapeutic process, helping clients move through blockages and experience deeper healing.

One unique area of my practice is relationship healing sessions. Whether it’s family members, spouses, or close friendships, these sessions focus on healing the energetic ties between individuals, addressing relational wounds, and helping to rebuild connection and harmony. Relationships can often be a mirror for our own inner work, and through these sessions, I assist clients in clearing old patterns and finding balance, whether they’re navigating conflict or looking to deepen their relationships. I believe that by healing ourselves, we can show up more fully in our relationships, and I provide the space for that transformation to occur.

What sets me apart is the personal, intuitive approach I bring to each session. Every client I work with receives personalized care. After each session, I follow up with a photo of the altar I’ve created for them, a handwritten note with insights, channeled guidance from their spirit guides, and an oracle card reading. I also provide a deeper understanding of the crystals and flowers used during their session and what they signify for their healing journey. It’s more than just a session—it’s an ongoing relationship, a partnership in healing.

I’m most proud of the way I’ve been able to hold space for people who are often at their most vulnerable. My goal is to provide a safe, sacred space for people to connect with their inner selves, rediscover their joy, and heal the wounds that hold them back. Healing is not always linear—it has seasons. And that’s something I work to illustrate to my clients: whether you’re in a season of growth, facing a dark challenge, or expanding into joy, there’s value in every phase of the healing process.

For me, the most important thing potential clients should know is that healing is an ongoing journey, and you don’t have to walk it alone. Whether through regular energy sessions, healing memberships, relationship healing, or even occasional check-ins, my work is dedicated to supporting you wherever you are on your path. Holding Space Healing is here to offer balance, guidance, and the energetic support you need to move forward.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

I believe that success in this field goes far beyond just training and knowledge. It requires a deep commitment to self-healing and personal growth. My healing practice is truly an extension of my own journey, and I think that anyone working in a healing field needs to be constantly working on themselves—healing their own wounds, growing, and evolving—so that they can show up fully for their clients. The more we work on ourselves, the better equipped we are to guide others through their healing process.

For me, faith is an essential part of that. Staying grounded in my faith and beliefs allows me to remain centered, even when I’m holding space for others in their most vulnerable moments. Having a strong foundation of faith helps me trust the process, and I firmly believe that the clients who need to find me will always be drawn to me at the right time.

In addition, building connections with others who are on a similar spiritual path has been invaluable. We grow from one another and support each other in our journeys, which in turn, strengthens our ability to help those who seek us out. There’s a lot of trust and faith involved in this work, both in the healing process itself and in trusting that the right people will come into your life when the time is right.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

In the beginning, I started with close friends and family, which is always the most challenging group to work with because they know you so well. But it was a necessary step to get comfortable and refine my approach. From there, my network began to grow organically, mostly through referrals. I feel so grateful that most of my clients come from word-of-mouth, as personal recommendations are invaluable in this type of work.

Another key factor in growing my clientele has been working with my business coach, Camy Kennedy. Our meetings, focused on mindset and business strategy, have had a profound impact on my client base. It’s amazing how just an hour of focused attention on my business can lead to an influx of clients. One thing I always emphasize is that healing work is energy work, and the energy you put out is what you attract. Shifting my mindset and aligning with the energy I want to bring in often leads to new clients almost instantly.

That being said, it’s not always easy. As a healer, I spend so much time focused on my clients’ energy and my own healing, that shifting gears into business mode can feel like a completely different energy. It’s why having a mindset or business coach has been so critical for me. They help me stay grounded and focused on the business side of things, which can often feel neglected but is so important for continued growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.holdingspacehealingnc.com
• Instagram: @holding_space_healing
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092989843931&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits

Tulio Faneite