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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
Letting Go of the Struggle: A Simple Exercise for Tough Feelings – Part 1
In this short companion episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker teams up with intern Caesar Salas to demonstrate a powerful visual exercise for anyone who feels stuck in their emotions. Using a cord and an imaginary pit, Dr. Barker shows how depression, anger, or anxiety can feel like an endless tug-of-war that never truly resolves. Instead of fighting the feeling, the exercise illustrates what happens when you simply let go of the struggle and view the problem from a new angle.
Drawing on principles similar to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dr. Barker emphasizes that your feelings are real and valid, but you do not have to be in constant battle with them. By stepping back, reconnecting with your values, and seeing emotions more clearly, you can respond in a more constructive way instead of being pulled toward an emotional “pit.” This brief episode pairs with Episode 36 Part 2 as a practical, easy-to-follow tool you can revisit whenever you feel overwhelmed.
Email Us: BarkerHoldingSpace@gmail.com >>
Holding Space For You