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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
Self-Harm vs Suicidal Behavior in BPD: Understanding the Difference | Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker
In this deeply compassionate episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker returns to expand on the criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)—focusing on one of the most misunderstood and sensitive topics: recurrent suicidal behavior and self-harm.
Dr. Barker draws a clear and vital distinction between suicidal intent and self-mutilation, explaining how self-harm is often a form of emotional regulation, not a desire to die. With clinical insight from over two decades of experience and training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), he discusses why self-injury is addictive, what it provides for those who struggle with emotional pain, and how it connects to issues like co-regulation, trauma, and attachment.
He also highlights why people with BPD may engage in behaviors that can scare loved ones away, and why being trauma-informed and nonjudgmental is critical when offering support. Dr. Barker advocates for realistic, healthier alternatives to self-harm and stresses the importance of connection, coping strategies, and reaching out for help before emotional overwhelm becomes unmanageable.
Whether you're someone who self-harms, love someone who does, or simply want to understand the psychology behind these behaviors, this episode is raw, real, and filled with compassion.
📌 Future episodes will explore dissociation, affective instability, and the controversial idea of “relational borderline behavior.”
🧠 Leave your questions in the comments or email privately at BarkerHoldingSpace@gmail.com.
🎧 Like, subscribe, and most importantly—take care of yourself.
Holding Space For You