.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
Artificial Inteligence & Therapy
In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of Holding Space with Dr. Barker, Dr. Christopher Barker explores the growing use of artificial intelligence in therapeutic settings—and the serious ethical, emotional, and psychological implications that come with it. Trigger warning: this episode discusses suicide, reality distortion, and emotional manipulation.
Dr. Barker critically examines real-life cases where AI-based chatbot companions and AI therapy apps have led to dangerous outcomes, including suicide and delusional thinking. He challenges the idea that AI can replace the human connection, empathy, and shared vulnerability that real therapy provides. Drawing from personal experiences and client stories, Dr. Barker makes a passionate case for why AI cannot replicate the healing power of a genuine therapeutic relationship.
He also touches on the limitations of AI's understanding of reality, how easily it can blur the line between fiction and truth, and why critical thinking and emotional resonance remain uniquely human strengths. With compassion and clarity, Dr. Barker reminds us that while technology can support mental wellness, it must never replace the nuanced, deeply human connection found in therapy.
Holding Space For You