.png)
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.
Holding Space with Dr. Barker
Trauma-Induced Narcissism: The Mask, The Mirror, and the Wound
In this deeply insightful episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker explores the often-misunderstood connection between trauma and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).
Dr. Barker unpacks how narcissism can develop as a defense mechanism when trauma fractures a person’s sense of identity — leading to a constructed image they will do anything to protect. From the myth of Narcissus to modern psychological theories, this episode dives into the emotional complexity behind narcissistic behaviors, including rage, control, gaslighting, and trauma bonding.
He also discusses the challenges of engaging narcissistic individuals in therapy, the toll these relationships take on those closest to them, and how trauma can ripple outward — reshaping how survivors see themselves and others.
Whether you’re a therapist, survivor, or simply curious about the deeper layers of narcissism, this episode offers reflection, clarity, and a call to approach all of it with empathy.
Holding Space For You