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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.
Holding Space with Dr. Barker
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 clinical experience, Dr. Barker shares what he believes is the hardest part of being a therapist—not burnout or long hours—but watching people walk down a painful path you already see coming… and not being able to stop it.
Inspired by the myth of Cassandra—the woman cursed to see the future but never be believed—this episode unpacks:
- How therapists often recognize patterns that clients aren’t ready to hear
- The emotional and psychological toll of watching clients repeat painful cycles
- Why lasting change only happens when you’re ready, not just when someone warns you
- The connection to complex PTSD, relationship trauma, and unhealed emotional patterns
- Why intermittent reinforcement keeps us stuck in unhealthy dynamics
Dr. Barker doesn’t just speak to therapists—he speaks to anyone who’s ever seen the writing on the wall and felt powerless to change the outcome.
🧠 If you’ve ever wondered why you keep repeating certain relationship patterns, or why people don’t change even when they “know better”—this episode will resonate deeply.
📩 Got questions or thoughts? Drop a comment or reach out: BarkerHoldingSpace@gmail.com
✅ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this episode moved you.
Thank you for holding space with me.
Holding Space For You