A practitioner asks: “Is the higher self truly in between a person and their soul? Or is the higher self a separate soul extension we communicate with, kind of on the side, like it is a twin soul extension, as depicted in her drawing?”

It is the former and not the latter, meaning that the higher self is an intermediary way station within the connection you have to your soul proper. That is the highest and best meaning and way to picture the relationship, and the configuration of the connections between you and the soul, with the higher self in between but still residing within the divine realm. That is not to say there are not connections between you and your soul directly, as this is an ongoing relationship that is present, and an active back‑and‑forth communication. That is what is governed by the soul attributes and their expression that make you a distinct individual and personality. That is not all monitored and guided and instrumented via the higher self actively, but is an automatic feature of existence. So the higher self is not an impediment to interaction with the soul or a total gatekeeper, but a consultant to you and a guardian as well because it oversees your wellbeing and acts as an intermediary largely with Creator and other beings of light wanting to help or influence you.