Foundation of Circle Facilitation workshop
Fantastic! I’m so happy you want to run listening and talking circles. They’re so needed for community & connection.
Learn how to bring people together in circle, so that they can talk without judgement or interruption and deeply listen without needing to solve problems.
Half-day workshops online or in person
Generally, these are run 4 times a year, two in person and two online. There will also be an in person one in September 2026 and another online one in October 2026.
What previous participants say about this workshop…
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“I’m taking away the confidence to do more of this work because I love it, women need more spaces to be seen and witnessed, how important community is. If you're thinking about facilitating a circle, I honestly can't recommend this enough. I came away feeling inspired and full of ideas for my own circles. This workshop didn't just teach me how to hold space, it reminded me why I wanted to!”
Kat Vallely, online workshop 2025
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“It was good to spend the time with others in this very supportive group workshop. Whilst I have been reading Tessa and Julia's book 'Circle Holding', which is very clear and informative, attending the workshop gave more clarity and time for lots of questions. I came away feeling very positive about starting my own circle."
Linda Clifford, Twyford workshop Sept 2025
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“Your training really helped me lean into and trust that if I hold a structure, and the space, then magic will happen. I weaved this into the invitation too, making it clear what people could expect, and who it is for. To me, circle holding feels like such a natural, needed way of gathering together, and my dream is to offer more and more of these spaces as the months and years roll on. I've now run a circle for 6 months and we have decided to continue for another six months as a closed circle."
Claire MacKinnon, online workshop 2024
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“I highly recommend this space for anyone who holds space for others. Tessa is highly experienced, knowledgeable and articulate on the subject of circle holding. There was so much packed into just three hours of content. It was worth every penny of the investment.”
Morwen Hamilton, online course 2024
What you’ll learn
Understanding Circle Facilitation:
Key principles of circle facilitation: inclusion, active listening, and holding space.
Key components of circle time: opening, settling, guidelines, introducing a topic, integration and closing.
How to create an intentional space, where with non-judgmental and confidentiality participants feel safe enough to share.
Practical Skills for Facilitating Circles:
How to guide a group through the circle process.
Tools for managing group dynamics and encouraging participation.
Techniques for managing difficult conversations or conflicts that may arise.
Building Trust and Safety:
Methods for establishing trust within the circle, ensuring that participants feel heard and respected.
Approaches to creating an environment where participants feel safe to open up, even on sensitive topics.
Ethical Considerations and Boundaries:
How to maintain ethical boundaries while facilitating.
Understanding the facilitator’s role in maintaining neutrality and avoiding bias.
Communicating your core values and managing expectations.
Practical Application and Case Studies:
Real-world examples of circles in various settings for different demographics and interests (e.g. community building, conflict resolution, LGBTQIA+ support, new mums, menopause).
Strategies for adapting circle facilitation to suit different contexts and needs.
Logistics like finding the right venue and what to charge.
Additional info
Resources
Having the Circle Holding: A Practical Guide to Facilitating Talking Circles is recommended but not essential
A recording of the workshop will be available to refer back to and additional resources provided like an example schedule for a circle with timings
Certificate
A certificate of attendance is available on completion of the workshop.
Terms & Conditions can be found here for all trainings.
Lunches are not provided for the in person workshops, but information on where to buy food will be provided in the joining email sent the week before the workshop.
Your guide Tessa
Building meaningful connections and community
My special interests are rites of passage (menarche, pregnancy/ birth and perimenopause circles and ceremonies) and taking a trauma-informed approach to teaching and facilitation.
It’s through circle that I saw a demand for more knowledge about the body and have written a number of books for women and children, including Pearls of Birth Wisdom: An Inner Journey with Stories, Insights and Practices; Colour Your Cycle - Inner Season Mandalas; and the Ruby Luna series. I’m passionate about supporting anyone who can see an unmet need in the community and wants to fill that gap.
I enjoying mentoring those who are self-employed and want to create a heartfelt, sustainable business, but need some help with logistics, getting comfortable with marketing and boosting numbers. Whether you want to run standalone talking circles or want to incorporate them into workshops / retreats / talks, I can hold your hand through the process.
She is the co-author of the book Circle Holding: A Practical Guide to Facilitating Talking Circles”
and co-host of the Circle Holding Podcast