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Holding Space with Dr. Barker
Welcome to Holding Space with Dr. Barker—a podcast dedicated to fostering personal growth, emotional healing, and professional development. Hosted by Dr. Christopher Barker, a seasoned psychologist with over two decades of clinical experience, this podcast offers a thoughtful, compassionate space for meaningful conversations about mental health and psychotherapy.
Whether you're on your own path toward greater self-awareness and well-being, or you're a fellow therapist committed to deepening your clinical skills, you’ll find insightful discussions, evidence-based strategies, and expert guidance to support your journey.
Each week, Dr. Barker draws on his extensive training—including a Ph.D. from Seton Hall University, a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Radford University, and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from The New School for Social Research—to explore topics like trauma recovery, emotional regulation, therapeutic techniques, and the art of holding space for others.
Join us for educational series, interviews with leading voices in the field, and practical tools designed to inspire personal discovery and professional transformation.
This is your space for reflection, learning, and connection.
Welcome to Holding Space.
Episodes
39 episodes
Letting Go Without Giving In: Mental Health, Depression, and Anxiety
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker revisits his powerful “tug-of-war with depression and anxiety” illustration to unpack what happens when mental health struggles start to pull you in. Using a vivid “pit” metaphor, he show...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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3:15
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Letting Go of the Struggle: A Simple Exercise for Tough Feelings – Part 1
In this short companion episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker teams up with intern Caesar Salas to demonstrate a powerful visual exercise for anyone who feels stuck in their emotions. Using a cord and an imaginary pit, Dr. Barker sho...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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3:04
A Thanksgiving Special
Hi, I’m Dr. Christopher Barker, and whether you’re returning or joining Holding Space for the first time, I want to wish you a warm and meaningful Thanksgiving.This holiday may look different for many of us—because of loss, distance, fam...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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4:52
Men’s Mental Health Matters: Stigma, Seeking Help, and Finding Light – Holding Space with Dr. Barker
In this special episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker opens up about the unique challenges men face with their mental health, especially during Men’s Health Awareness Month. Citing sobering statistics—like men’s shorter life expectan...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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12:10
Trigger Warning: What Does “Triggered” Really Mean? The Power of Language in Mental Health
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker, a New Jersey-based psychotherapist specializing in issues like narcissism, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum, kink awareness, and suicide prevention, dives deep into the concept of trigg...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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12:08
Gaslighting: How to Recognize It, Protect Yourself, and Reclaim Your Reality
In this eye-opening episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker breaks down one of the most misunderstood — and manipulative — behaviors in relationships: gaslighting.From subtle comments that make you question your ...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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13:30
Finding Harmony After Trauma: Jackie Briggs’ Journey Through Hearing Loss, Healing, and Hope
In this powerful episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker welcomes Jackie Briggs, a professional singer whose life changed forever after a devastating car accident left her deaf in one ear.Jackie opens up about he...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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23:11
It’s Never Too Late to Heal from Trauma - Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker
In this powerful episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker explores the lifelong impact of trauma and how it shapes our mental health, relationships, and sense of self. Drawing from his clinical experience and supe...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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7:54
What Is “Normal”? Understanding Mental Health and the Bell Curve with Dr. Christopher Barker
In this insightful episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker, a licensed clinical psychologist in New Jersey, explores one of the most common and misunderstood questions in mental health: “What is normal?”...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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11:27
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders: Mental Health, Genetics, and the Meaning of “Normal” | Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker explores the complexities of autism spectrum disorders through the lens of psychology, genetics, and society. He discusses the difference between correlation and ca...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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11:45
From Grad School to the Therapy Room: Real Talk with Haley & Chloe - Therapy On Demand
Dr. Christopher Barker sits down with Haley Novellino and Chloe Quinn—grad students and creators behind @therapy.on.demand—for a candid conversation about becoming therapists while balancing school, internships, work, and real life. They...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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42:35
Understanding Kinks, Paraphilias, and Kink-Aware Therapy | Holding Space Podcast with Dr. Christopher Barker
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker, a clinical psychologist in New Jersey, explores the world of kink-aware therapy and the psychological perspectives on kinks, fetishes, and paraphilias.He br...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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21:25
Suicide Prevention: Warning Signs, How to Help, & Safety Planning | Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker
Trigger warning: this episode discusses suicide, self-harm, and mental health struggles.**In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker (clinical psychologist, NJ) discusses Suicide Prevention Month, how...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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11:14
Anxiety vs OCD: Intrusive Thoughts, ACT & EMDR Explained — with “Therapy with Josh”
In this episode of Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker, Dr. Barker sits down with Josh (“Therapy with Josh”), an accredited CBT therapist from Essex, UK, trained in EMDR and Acceptance & Commitment Thera...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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26:46
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False Memories, Belief Systems & The Mandela Effect Explained | Dr. Barker
In this episode of Holding Space with Dr. Barker, we dive into the fascinating world of the Mandela Effect — why so many people remember events, quotes, and facts incorrectly. From Darth Vader’s famous line to “Mirror, mirror on...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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11:42
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Diagnosis, Labels, and Mental Health: What They Really Mean | Holding Space with Dr. Barker
In Episode 23 of Holding Space with Dr. Barker, Dr. Christopher Barker dives into the complicated world of mental health diagnosis. From bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder to ADHD and depression, he explains why sympt...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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14:07
School Shootings, Trauma, and the Ripple Effect on Mental Health
In this special edition of Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker, we explore the devastating reality of the Minnesota school shooting and its far-reaching psychological consequences. Dr. Barker introduces the concept ...
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Episode 24
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16:45
Dissociation & Anxiety: What It Really Means (And Why It Happens)
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker is joined by licensed associate counselor Keilani Noble to explore dissociation—what it is, how it connects to anxiety and depression, and why it’s often mis...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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16:52
Confirmation Bias Explained: Stop Letting Negative Thinking Control You
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker, a clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience, breaks down confirmation bias—how we tend to focus only on evidence that supports our existing beliefs while ign...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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9:18
Self-Harm vs Suicidal Behavior in BPD: Understanding the Difference | Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker
In this deeply compassionate episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker returns to expand on the criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)—focusing on one of the most misunderstood and sensitive topics: recurre...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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13:24
Bipolar II vs Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): What’s the Difference? | Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker answers a listener’s question that many people wonder: What’s the difference between Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)? While the two are often co...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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15:52
Emotionally Immature Partners: Signs, Impact & Growth | Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker explores the complex world of emotionally immature partners—what emotional immaturity looks like in relationships, how it impacts connection, and what you can do about it....
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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11:42
Break the Cycle: Communicate Smarter with Transactional Analysis
Welcome to Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker. In this episode, Dr. Barker dives deep into a classic and still-relevant psychological concept: Transactional Analysis—and why understanding it might be the key to healthier,...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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11:19
The Cassandra Dilemma: Why Knowing Isn’t Enough (Even for Therapists)
Welcome back to Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker. In this powerful and introspective episode, Dr. Barker explores a unique psychological concept he calls “The Cassandra Dilemma.”Drawing from over 20 years of clin...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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10:43