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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
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, more productive relationships.
With over 25 years of experience as a psychologist, Dr. Barker unpacks how we subconsciously shift between three ego states—Parent, Adult, and Child—in nearly every interaction we have, especially in romantic or emotionally charged relationships.
You’ll learn:
- What Transactional Analysis is and why it still matters
- The difference between the Parent, Adult, and Child ego states
- How these states show up in arguments, communication breakdowns, and emotional triggers
- Why emotionally immature parenting can lead to emotional stuckness in adulthood
- How to break the cycle and move toward Adult-to-Adult communication
- How this theory overlaps with concepts like inner child work, DBT, and emotional regulation
💬 Ever feel like you're having the same argument over and over again?
💬 Are you trying to be rational, but your partner is reacting emotionally—or vice versa?
This episode gives you the psychological framework to understand why, and how to shift the dynamic.
📩 Got a question or topic suggestion? Drop a comment or send an email—Dr. Barker welcomes your input for future episodes.
BarkerHoldingSpace@gmail.com
✅ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this episode helped you understand yourself or your relationships a little better.
Holding Space For You