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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
Diagnosis, Labels, and Mental Health: What They Really Mean | Holding Space with Dr. Barker
In Episode 23 of Holding Space with Dr. Barker, Dr. Christopher Barker dives into the complicated world of mental health diagnosis. From bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder to ADHD and depression, he explains why symptoms can overlap and lead to misdiagnosis, and why diagnoses are often misunderstood.
Dr. Barker shares over 20 years of clinical experience to remind us that a diagnosis is not an identity — it’s a tool for treatment, insurance, and communication between therapists. First and foremost, every person is more than a label.
If you’ve ever questioned your diagnosis or wondered about the difference between disorders like bipolar, borderline, or ADHD, this episode will help you better understand yourself — and open up a conversation about how we can see people beyond their diagnoses.
Holding Space For You