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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.
Episodes
48 episodes
A Trick of the Mind: How Language, Perception, and Shared Reality Shape How We See the World
In this solo episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker explores one of the most profound—and misunderstood—questions in psychology: What is reality, and how do we know it’s real?Inspired by Daniel Young’s book A ...
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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13:02
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Understanding Anxiety: How the Brain, Worry, and the Amygdala Create the Anxiety Loop (and How to Break It)
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker takes a compassionate, science-grounded look at anxiety—what it is, why it exists, and how it can spiral out of control if we don’t change our relationship to it.Draw...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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8:45
Inside the Teenage Brain: Dr. Barker on Daniel Siegel’s “Brainstorm” and the Power of Attachment | Holding Space on the Road (Part 4)
In this final segment of Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker on the Road, Dr. Barker wraps up an incredible experience at the Evolution of Psychotherapy 2025 Conference in Anaheim, California. In this reflective episode, he share...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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6:48
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Why Continuing Education Keeps Psychology Alive | Holding Space on the Road with Dr. Christopher Barker (Part 3)
In Part 3 of Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker on the Road, Dr. Barker checks in from Anaheim at the 40th Anniversary Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference 2025 — one of the most influential gatherings in the mental health fiel...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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3:23
Finding Meaning and Connection This Holiday Season | Holding Space with Dr. Barker (Christmas Special 2025)
As 2025 comes to an end, Dr. Christopher Barker invites listeners to slow down, reflect, and reconnect during the holiday season. In this heartfelt Christmas Special of Holding Space, Dr. Barker explores the deeper meaning of the holid...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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6:05
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Love, Balance, and the Inner Child: Dr. Barker Explores Relational Life Therapy at the Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference (Part 2)
Holding Space with Dr. Barker continues on the road from Anaheim, California, at the 40th Annual Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference. In this second installment, Dr. Christopher Barker shares key insights from renowned therapist Dr. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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9:45
Holding Space on the Road: Dr. Barker at the Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference in Anaheim (Part 1)
Dr. Christopher Barker takes Holding Space on the road to Anaheim, California for the 40th Anniversary of the Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference — the largest gathering of mental health professionals in the world. In this special on...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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3:16
Finding Meaning in Suffering: Viktor Frankl, Logotherapy, and Mental Health During the Holidays
During the stressful holiday season, psychologist Dr. Christopher Barker explores the timeless wisdom of Viktor Frankl and his groundbreaking theory of logotherapy, which teaches that meaning—not pleasure or power—is our core human drive. Drawi...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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7:37
Hope, Resiliency & Mental Health Recovery: Dr. Barker with Dr. Keith Morgen | Holding Space Podcast
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker sits down with mental health expert and author Dr. Keith Morgen to explore the powerful connection between hope, resiliency, and mental health recovery. Dr. Morgen ...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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22:23
Letting Go Without Giving In: Mental Health, Depression, and Anxiety
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker revisits his powerful “tug-of-war with depression and anxiety” illustration to unpack what happens when mental health struggles start to pull you in. Using a vivid “pit” metaphor, he show...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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3:15
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 sho...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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3:04
A Thanksgiving Special
Hi, I’m Dr. Christopher Barker, and whether you’re returning or joining Holding Space for the first time, I want to wish you a warm and meaningful Thanksgiving.This holiday may look different for many of us—because of loss, distance, fam...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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4:52
Men’s Mental Health Matters: Stigma, Seeking Help, and Finding Light – Holding Space with Dr. Barker
In this special episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker opens up about the unique challenges men face with their mental health, especially during Men’s Health Awareness Month. Citing sobering statistics—like men’s shorter life expectan...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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12:10
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 trigg...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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12:08
Gaslighting: How to Recognize It, Protect Yourself, and Reclaim Your Reality
In this eye-opening episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker breaks down one of the most misunderstood — and manipulative — behaviors in relationships: gaslighting.From subtle comments that make you question your ...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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13:30
Finding Harmony After Trauma: Jackie Briggs’ Journey Through Hearing Loss, Healing, and Hope
In this powerful episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker welcomes Jackie Briggs, a professional singer whose life changed forever after a devastating car accident left her deaf in one ear.Jackie opens up about he...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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23:11
It’s Never Too Late to Heal from Trauma - Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker
In this powerful episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker explores the lifelong impact of trauma and how it shapes our mental health, relationships, and sense of self. Drawing from his clinical experience and supe...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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7:54
What Is “Normal”? Understanding Mental Health and the Bell Curve with Dr. Christopher Barker
In this insightful episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker, a licensed clinical psychologist in New Jersey, explores one of the most common and misunderstood questions in mental health: “What is normal?”...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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11:27
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders: Mental Health, Genetics, and the Meaning of “Normal” | Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker explores the complexities of autism spectrum disorders through the lens of psychology, genetics, and society. He discusses the difference between correlation and ca...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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11:45
From Grad School to the Therapy Room: Real Talk with Haley & Chloe - Therapy On Demand
Dr. Christopher Barker sits down with Haley Novellino and Chloe Quinn—grad students and creators behind @therapy.on.demand—for a candid conversation about becoming therapists while balancing school, internships, work, and real life. They...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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42:35
Understanding Kinks, Paraphilias, and Kink-Aware Therapy | Holding Space Podcast with Dr. Christopher Barker
In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker, a clinical psychologist in New Jersey, explores the world of kink-aware therapy and the psychological perspectives on kinks, fetishes, and paraphilias.He br...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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21:25
Suicide Prevention: Warning Signs, How to Help, & Safety Planning | Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker
Trigger warning: this episode discusses suicide, self-harm, and mental health struggles.**In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker (clinical psychologist, NJ) discusses Suicide Prevention Month, how...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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11:14
Anxiety vs OCD: Intrusive Thoughts, ACT & EMDR Explained — with “Therapy with Josh”
In this episode of Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker, Dr. Barker sits down with Josh (“Therapy with Josh”), an accredited CBT therapist from Essex, UK, trained in EMDR and Acceptance & Commitment Thera...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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26:46
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False Memories, Belief Systems & The Mandela Effect Explained | Dr. Barker
In this episode of Holding Space with Dr. Barker, we dive into the fascinating world of the Mandela Effect — why so many people remember events, quotes, and facts incorrectly. From Darth Vader’s famous line to “Mirror, mirror on...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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11:42
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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 sympt...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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14:07