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Holding Space with Dr. Barker
Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker is a psychology podcast focused on how unresolved complex trauma shapes daily life — from childhood through adulthood.
Complex trauma isn’t only about major events. It develops through chronic stress, attachment wounds, emotional neglect, and relational instability. Over time, these survival adaptations can show up as ADHD-like symptoms in children, emotional dysregulation, workplace conflict, burnout, leadership struggles, relationship challenges, and intergenerational family patterns.
Through the lens of EMDR therapy, attachment theory, neuroscience, and trauma-informed care, Dr. Barker explains how the nervous system learns to survive — and how healing becomes possible.
Each episode offers research-based insight and practical tools for regulating triggers, improving relationships, and moving from survival mode to intentional living.
Understanding your story is the beginning. Healing transforms how you live it.
Welcome to Holding Space.
https://substack.com/@christopherbarkerphd
Episodes
55 episodes
How Complex Trauma Impacts Relationships - Holding Space With Dr. Barker
Complex trauma reshapes how the nervous system experiences safety, attachment, and intimacy. But what does that look like in adult relationships?In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Barker explores how chronic relational stress...
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Season 1
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Episode 49
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6:34
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ADHD, Autism, and Self‑Worth: Rethinking ‘Disorder’ in Neurodivergent Adults
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker sits down with Dr. Bret Boatwright, a neurodivergent psychologist, talk about what it’s really like to move through the world as an adult with ADHD or autism. Drawing from his own ...
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Season 1
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Episode 48
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25:33
Complex Trauma & Survival Mode: How the Nervous System Adapts to Chronic Trauma | Healing Beyond Hyper-vigilance
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker explores how complex trauma reshapes the nervous system and turns survival mode into a way of life. Unlike single-incident trauma, complex trauma develops over time through chron...
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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9:30
How Culture, Trauma, and Attachment Shape Healing | Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker
In this episode of Holding Space, New Jersey licensed psychologist Dr. Christopher Barker shares insights from his journey as a writer, researcher, and therapist. Drawing on his early dissertation work with Native American children, Dr...
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Season 1
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Episode 46
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13:32
Why We Never Feel ‘All Clear’: Understanding Complex Trauma
Dr. Christopher Barker, a licensed clinical psychologist and host of Holding Space, shares exciting news about his upcoming book on complex trauma, written from a deeply personal and relational attachment lens. He explores how complex trauma is...
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Season 1
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Episode 45
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10:10
Why You Miss Red Flags: How Complex Trauma Rewires Relationships, Attachment, and Attraction
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker explores how complex trauma—especially trauma that begins in childhood—can fundamentally alter how we perceive relationships, attachment, and red flags. Drawing from clini...
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Season 1
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Episode 44
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13:59
From Fear to Trust: Reframing Childbirth Through Physiology and Mindset
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker (licensed clinical psychologist in New Jersey) sits down with Laura Carina (aka @natural_lau), a natural birth coach living in Peru, originally from Germany and raise...
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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34:42
A Trick of the Mind: How Language, Perception, and Shared Reality Shape How We See the World
In this solo episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker explores one of the most profound—and misunderstood—questions in psychology: What is reality, and how do we know it’s real?Inspired by Daniel Young’s book A ...
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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13:02
Understanding Anxiety: How the Brain, Worry, and the Amygdala Create the Anxiety Loop (and How to Break It)
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker takes a compassionate, science-grounded look at anxiety—what it is, why it exists, and how it can spiral out of control if we don’t change our relationship to it.Draw...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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8:45
Inside the Teenage Brain: Dr. Barker on Daniel Siegel’s “Brainstorm” and the Power of Attachment | Holding Space on the Road (Part 4)
In this final segment of Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker on the Road, Dr. Barker wraps up an incredible experience at the Evolution of Psychotherapy 2025 Conference in Anaheim, California. In this reflective episode, he share...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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6:48
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Why Continuing Education Keeps Psychology Alive | Holding Space on the Road with Dr. Christopher Barker (Part 3)
In Part 3 of Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker on the Road, Dr. Barker checks in from Anaheim at the 40th Anniversary Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference 2025 — one of the most influential gatherings in the mental health fiel...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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3:23
Finding Meaning and Connection This Holiday Season | Holding Space with Dr. Barker (Christmas Special 2025)
As 2025 comes to an end, Dr. Christopher Barker invites listeners to slow down, reflect, and reconnect during the holiday season. In this heartfelt Christmas Special of Holding Space, Dr. Barker explores the deeper meaning of the holid...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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6:05
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Love, Balance, and the Inner Child: Dr. Barker Explores Relational Life Therapy at the Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference (Part 2)
Holding Space with Dr. Barker continues on the road from Anaheim, California, at the 40th Annual Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference. In this second installment, Dr. Christopher Barker shares key insights from renowned therapist Dr. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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9:45
Holding Space on the Road: Dr. Barker at the Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference in Anaheim (Part 1)
Dr. Christopher Barker takes Holding Space on the road to Anaheim, California for the 40th Anniversary of the Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference — the largest gathering of mental health professionals in the world. In this special on...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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3:16
Finding Meaning in Suffering: Viktor Frankl, Logotherapy, and Mental Health During the Holidays
During the stressful holiday season, psychologist Dr. Christopher Barker explores the timeless wisdom of Viktor Frankl and his groundbreaking theory of logotherapy, which teaches that meaning—not pleasure or power—is our core human drive. Drawi...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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7:37
Hope, Resiliency & Mental Health Recovery: Dr. Barker with Dr. Keith Morgen | Holding Space Podcast
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker sits down with mental health expert and author Dr. Keith Morgen to explore the powerful connection between hope, resiliency, and mental health recovery. Dr. Morgen ...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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22:23
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
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