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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
Trigger Warning: What Does “Triggered” Really Mean? The Power of Language in Mental Health
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker, a New Jersey-based psychotherapist specializing in issues like narcissism, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum, kink awareness, and suicide prevention, dives deep into the concept of trigger warnings . He explores how the phrase trigger warning is used and often misunderstood, examining its psychological implications with references to research from the Journal of Experimental Psychology Applied. Dr. Barker discusses how words carry powerful emotional meanings rooted in individual and cultural experiences, sometimes leading to miscommunication or unintended emotional reactions. He contrasts trigger warning with safe space , explaining the subtle but significant effect each has on listeners, especially in therapeutic or academic settings. Dr. Barker emphasizes the importance of checking in with others about their language experiences, advocating for open dialogue and a thoughtful approach to words. The episode concludes with practical insights on improving communication and understanding emotional meaning, vital for both personal growth and effective psychotherapy.
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Holding Space For You