The Heart of Facilitation~ by Amber Antonelli

Create alignment/attunement between yourself, the client, and Source. This is where trust and transformation begin—through heart-centered presence. Meet them where they are, attune to their energy. Invite presence and shared clarity creating a space for both of you to grow. Support alchemy by being a steady, intuitive guide and safe space. Support lasting change through embodied insight and anchored action.

1. Set the Container (Before the Session)

  • Center Yourself: Ground into your body, heart.

  • Invite Source: Ask for guidance toward the highest outcome, rooted in love and compassion.

  • Embody Vulnerability & Humility: Lead with shared humanity. You are still a work in progress too—embrace it.

  • Leave Your Agenda at the Door: Stay open and unattached to them “getting it”. Trust in the clients own process, ultimately we don’t know what their soul’s journey is.

  • They Are Their OWN Healer: You are a conduit. Your role is to open space for them to step into their innate wisdom.

  • Safety Is Everything: People must feel seen, heard and held. Safety is essential to vulnerability. Vulnerability is essential to transformation.

  • Focus of Self Love & Compassion: releasing shame and self-judgment is central to healing.

  • Mirror Work: Clients often reflect themes from your own life. This is gold—an invitation for mutual growth and healing.

  • Imposter Syndrome? It may arise—we all carry insecurities. You're more of an “imposter” when you believe you must be “fully healed” to be of service. Embrace your humanity ;)


2. Begin the Session (Co-Creation & Connection)

  • Offer a Quick Grounding or Meditation: Especially if their energy feels scattered or frayed (if yours is- do this before the session!).

  • Be Present & Attentive: Offer warm, grounded, undistracted presence.

  • Ask for Their Intention: Clarifies focus and invites ownership of the process.

  • Redirect If Needed: If they begin spinning into stories about others, gently guide them back to themselves:

    • “What was that like for you?”

    • “What emotions are present as you share this?”

    • “When was the first time you remember feeling this way?”

  • Reflect Back What You Heard: Builds trust, clarity, and connection.

  • Validate Their Experience: Honor emotions, resistance, and truth—without fixing.

  • Come with Curiosity & Neutrality: Let insights emerge naturally, without agenda or judgment.


3. In the Work (Facilitation & Process)

  • Ask Permission to Explore Deeper: Especially when gently challenging narratives or beliefs.

  • Interrupt the Story: Lovingly disrupt looping narratives that reinforce limitations.

  • Watch Body/Nervous system language: If erratic/frayed bring them to their breath. Simple slow breathing into the belly, box breathing (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4 - repeat until they calm).

  • Bring Them into the Body: Help shift awareness from the mind to the felt sense. Gently ask during sharing:

    • Where do you feel this in your body?

    • What’s happening in your body as you speak?

    • Can you describe the sensation? (e.g., sharp, burning, tight, cold, aching)

    • Does this sensation have anything to say?

    • Is there an emotion connected to it?

    • Do you feel safe to sit with this for a bit?

  • Inner Child Work: most patterns, emotions, beliefs originate in the childhood. Exploration in this area is vital.

  • Notice how old they seem: you can do this internally or even ask them how old this part of them feels. There is a LOT to explore here and can open up space for holding and healing of the little self (likely the one who is feeling dis-ease).

  • Be Flexible: There’s no one-size-fits-all. Adapt to what’s alive in the moment.
    Not everyone can open, hear, or receive in the same way—discernment is key.

  • Tune In When Unsure: If you become unsure of where to guide them next, pause. Allow the “fixing mind” to quiet and ask Source to lead. You can simply say, “Give me a moment—I’d like to tune in.” Close your eyes and quiet the mind, lead with the heart.

4. Integration & Empowerment (closing the experience)

  • Gracefully: Avoid ending mid-process when possible. If they’re still processing, invite continued reflection and curiosity after the session.

  • Celebrate Wins: Acknowledge progress, even subtle shifts. We revisit core themes over a lifetime—growth always counts. This can happen throughout the session.

  • Offer Tangible Homework: Recommend relevant practices such as journaling, meditation, or somatic inquiry. Share resources if appropriate.

  • Post Session Check-In (Mindfully): A short follow-up can help them feel seen and supported. Honor your boundaries—only offer what feels aligned.

  • Normalize Integration Responses: Let them know it’s common to feel tender, depleted, or emotionally raw. Encourage hydration, rest, and time in nature.

  • Suggest a Follow-Up (If Applicable): Gently offer insight into when to reconnect, without pressure. Let it be invitational, not transactional.