Holding Space with Dr. Barker

Dr. Christopher Barker
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Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker is a psychology podcast focused on how unresolved complex trauma shapes daily life — from childhood through adulthood. Complex trauma isn’t only about major events. It develops through chronic stress, attachment wounds, emotional neglect, and relational instability. Over time, these survival adaptations can show up as ADHD-like symptoms in children, emotional dysregulation, workplace conflict, burnout, leadership struggles, relationship challenges, and intergenerational family patterns. Through the lens of EMDR therapy, attachment theory, neuroscience, and trauma-informed care, Dr. Barker explains how the nervous system learns to survive — and how healing becomes possible. Each episode offers research-based insight and practical tools for regulating triggers, improving relationships, and moving from survival mode to intentional living. Understanding your story is the beginning. Healing transforms how you live it. Welcome to Holding Space. https://substack.com/@christopherbarkerphd

  1. VOR 6 TAGEN

    Beyond Celebration: Understanding Women’s Strength and Trauma | Holding Space Ep. 50

    Send a text In this milestone 50th episode of Holding Space with Dr. Barker, Dr. Christopher Barker honors International Women’s Day by exploring the intersection of trauma, resilience, and the lived experience of women across cultures. Drawing from personal reflection and professional insight, Dr. Barker discusses how trauma—especially complex trauma—shapes women’s sense of safety, identity, and possibility. He emphasizes that healing is not just individual but collective: it happens when we listen without judgment, believe women’s stories, and challenge the cultural norms that reinforce silence. This episode is both a celebration and an acknowledgment—a call to support women not only in their strength but in their healing. Join Dr. Barker in holding space for the women whose stories inspire, challenge, and redefine what resilience looks like. Support the show Holding Space For You

    10 Min.

  2. 3. MÄRZ

    How Complex Trauma Impacts Relationships - Holding Space With Dr. Barker

    Send a text Complex trauma reshapes how the nervous system experiences safety, attachment, and intimacy. But what does that look like in adult relationships? In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Barker explores how chronic relational stress and developmental trauma influence conflict patterns, emotional regulation, hypervigilance, and core beliefs about worth and connection. He also discusses how relationships can become spaces for healing through consistent co-regulation and repair. This episode is ideal for clinicians, professionals, and individuals seeking a deeper understanding of trauma-informed relational dynamics. Want to be a guest? Email us:  barkerholdingspace@gmail.com Support the show Holding Space For You

    7 Min.

  3. 21. FEB.

    ADHD, Autism, and Self‑Worth: Rethinking ‘Disorder’ in Neurodivergent Adults

    Send a text In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker sits down with Dr. Bret Boatwright, a neurodivergent psychologist, talk about what it’s really like to move through the world as an adult with ADHD or autism. Drawing from his own ADHD diagnosis and years of assessing and treating neurodivergent adults, Dr. Boatwright explores how constant criticism, moralizing, and being misunderstood shape a person’s self‑image long before they ever get a label. They unpack “rejection sensitivity dysphoria,” not as tantrums or fragility, but as the collapse that happens when a lifetime of being called lazy, rude, or a liar gets activated by one missed deadline or small piece of feedback. Dr. Boatwright shares how he reframes ADHD and autism away from “disorders” toward neurotypes—different, often beautiful ways of experiencing the world that come with real challenges in a society that doesn’t flex. He highlights both the pain (executive functioning struggles, masking, chronic self‑doubt) and the strengths (passion, deep focus on interests, creativity) that are often ignored. The conversation also touches on gendered diagnosis gaps, like how many girls learn to “look” like they’re reading while actually zoning out, and why that leads to missed ADHD and autism diagnoses until adulthood. Dr. Barker and Dr. Boatwright discuss how adults who finally get a diagnosis are often rebuilding an identity that has been framed around brokenness, and what it looks like in therapy to shift from “What’s wrong with me?” to “What’s different about me, and how do I work with it?” Toward the end, they introduce Damian Milton’s “double empathy problem,” a framework that suggests autistic–non‑autistic communication breakdowns are mutual and culturally based, not simply a “deficit” in autistic people. Instead of trying to make neurodivergent people more “normal,” they argue for changing the environment—offering flexibility, honoring sensory and social needs, and using language that validates rather than shames. If you’re a neurodivergent adult, a parent, or a clinician wanting more affirming, trauma‑ and difference‑informed language, this episode offers both validation and a new lens on what it means to be “NeuroSpicy” in a neurotypical world. Connect with Dr. Bret Boatwright: Instagram (professional): @neuro.divergent.therapist Practice: @dipspsychology Article mentioned on the double empathy problem (for listeners who want to go deeper): Damian Milton’s “double empathy problem,” : https://reframingautism.org.au/miltons-double-empathy-problem-a-summary-for-non-academics/ Support the show Holding Space For You

    26 Min.

  4. 17. FEB.

    Complex Trauma & Survival Mode: How the Nervous System Adapts to Chronic Trauma | Healing Beyond Hyper-vigilance

    Send a text In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker explores how complex trauma reshapes the nervous system and turns survival mode into a way of life. Unlike single-incident trauma, complex trauma develops over time through chronic neglect, emotional abuse, instability, or prolonged threat. Dr. Barker explains how hypervigilance, emotional flooding, numbness, relationship struggles, and exhaustion are not signs of weakness—but adaptive responses that once ensured survival. He discusses the biology behind survival mode, including the role of the amygdala, stress hormones, and the nervous system’s inability to fully rest. Most importantly, this episode offers hope: healing isn’t about eliminating the survival self, but about gently teaching the body what safety feels like again through therapy, mindfulness, and secure relationships. If you’ve ever felt stuck in “always on” mode, this conversation offers insight, validation, and a pathway forward. Interested in being a guest or have questions about the podcast? 📩 BarkerHoldingSpace@gmail.com Support the show Holding Space For You

    10 Min.

  5. 10. FEB.

    How Culture, Trauma, and Attachment Shape Healing | Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker

    Send a text In this episode of Holding Space, New Jersey licensed psychologist Dr. Christopher Barker shares insights from his journey as a writer, researcher, and therapist. Drawing on his early dissertation work with Native American children, Dr. Barker explores how culture influences emotional expression and mental health assessment. He then dives deeper into his upcoming book on how complex trauma can be understood through a relational time lens, connecting early attachment experiences to how we process relationships throughout life. Dr. Barker also discusses the importance of language in therapy, the subtle ways counselors can empower or disempower clients, and the value of collaboration in the therapeutic relationship. From reflections on personal growth to continuing education and the evolution of psychotherapy, this thoughtful conversation offers rich insights for therapists, mental health professionals, and anyone on the healing journey. Tune in for a grounded, compassionate, and intellectually curious look at trauma, attachment, and the ongoing work of understanding ourselves and others. 📧 For questions, topic ideas, or guest inquiries, email BarkerHoldingSpace@gmail.com. Support the show Holding Space For You

    14 Min.

  6. 3. FEB.

    Why We Never Feel ‘All Clear’: Understanding Complex Trauma

    Send a text Dr. Christopher Barker, a licensed clinical psychologist and host of Holding Space, shares exciting news about his upcoming book on complex trauma, written from a deeply personal and relational attachment lens. He explores how complex trauma isn’t just “big T” events, but also the chronic, subtle experiences of uncertainty, emotional neglect, poor attachment, and always waiting for “the other shoe to drop.” Through his own story and de-identified clinical vignettes, Dr. Barker explains how growing up without consistent emotional safety shapes our nervous system, creates lifelong hyper-vigilance or dissociation, and impacts how we relate, remember, and feel safe in the world. This off-the-cuff episode invites listeners into his writing process, his passion for trauma-informed care, and why even late-in-life healing—finally feeling an “all clear”—is still worth it. If you’re interested in complex trauma, attachment, EMDR, and how therapy can help rebuild a sense of safety, this episode sets the stage for a powerful book you won’t want to miss. Questions or Topic Ideas? Want to be a guest? Email us at: BarkerHoldingSpace@gmail.com Support the show Holding Space For You

    10 Min.

  7. 27. JAN.

    Why You Miss Red Flags: How Complex Trauma Rewires Relationships, Attachment, and Attraction

    Send a text In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker explores how complex trauma—especially trauma that begins in childhood—can fundamentally alter how we perceive relationships, attachment, and red flags. Drawing from clinical experience and trauma-informed psychology, Dr. Barker explains why people often find themselves asking, “Why didn’t I see that coming?” This episode breaks down what complex trauma is, how it develops through emotional neglect, parentification, chronic criticism, instability, or unpredictable caregiving, and why familiar chaos can feel safe to the nervous system. Dr. Barker explains how trauma can make red flags feel normal—or even comforting—rather than dangerous, and how hypervigilance often points outward toward managing others instead of inward toward our own boundaries and needs. Listeners will learn how attachment styles (anxious, avoidant, and disorganized) influence relationship choices, why chaos can be mistaken for chemistry, and how trauma responses like fawning, emotional numbing, and cognitive dissonance can hide warning signs. The episode also addresses how low self-worth and trauma reenactment keep people stuck in unhealthy relational patterns. Finally, Dr. Barker offers practical, trauma-informed guidance for rebuilding a healthy relationship radar—reconnecting with bodily signals, slowing down relational pacing, learning what healthy repair looks like, setting boundaries, and seeking appropriate therapeutic support. This episode is essential listening for anyone who wants to better understand trauma, attachment, emotional regulation, and why healing the past changes who we are drawn to in the present. Questions or want to be a guest? Email Us at BarkerHoldingSpace@gmail.com Support the show Holding Space For You

    14 Min.

  8. 20. JAN.

    From Fear to Trust: Reframing Childbirth Through Physiology and Mindset

    Send a text In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Christopher Barker (licensed clinical psychologist in New Jersey) sits down with Laura Carina (aka @natural_lau), a natural birth coach living in Peru, originally from Germany and raised in Canada. Laura shares how her background in birth photography and her own motherhood journey led her into holistic birth work—and why she believes birth is not a medical event first, but a physiological, hormone-driven process the body is designed to do. Laura unpacks how fear-based cultural conditioning (movies, TV, scary birth stories) can prime the body for tension and pain, creating a cycle of fear → tension → more pain. She explains her approach to natural birth preparation: understanding the body, learning how birth hormones work (including oxytocin, endorphins, and adrenaline/epinephrine), reducing distractions, and practicing nervous-system regulation so the body can do what it’s built to do. She compares birth preparation to athletic training—like preparing for a marathon—emphasizing mindset, visualization, meditation, and partner support as key tools for a calm, empowered experience. The conversation also explores the emotional intensity of labor, how unresolved fears or stress can surface during pregnancy and birth, and why supportive people in the room matter. Laura describes birth as something that can be powerful, connected, and even pleasurable for some—while still being intense physical work. The episode closes with Laura’s passion for postpartum bonding, breastfeeding physiology, and the “biofeedback loop” between mother and baby—highlighting how informed support and a safe environment can shape the birth and early motherhood experience. Note: This episode is educational and inspirational and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals for personal medical decisions. Find out more and check out her retreat here: https://naturallau.com Instagram: Instagram.com/natural_lau Listen to her new podcast — Sacred Flourishing Feminine: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/sacred-flourishing-feminine/id1821026886 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HRjrK9leCYGJUAgr19Gu8?si=13U3fnyfREWeIpZM_AnumQ Support the show Holding Space For You

    35 Min.
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Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker is a psychology podcast focused on how unresolved complex trauma shapes daily life — from childhood through adulthood. Complex trauma isn’t only about major events. It develops through chronic stress, attachment wounds, emotional neglect, and relational instability. Over time, these survival adaptations can show up as ADHD-like symptoms in children, emotional dysregulation, workplace conflict, burnout, leadership struggles, relationship challenges, and intergenerational family patterns. Through the lens of EMDR therapy, attachment theory, neuroscience, and trauma-informed care, Dr. Barker explains how the nervous system learns to survive — and how healing becomes possible. Each episode offers research-based insight and practical tools for regulating triggers, improving relationships, and moving from survival mode to intentional living. Understanding your story is the beginning. Healing transforms how you live it. Welcome to Holding Space. https://substack.com/@christopherbarkerphd

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  • Erstellt von
    Dr. Christopher Barker
  • Jahre aktiv
    2025 - 2026
  • Folgen
    56
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    Unbedenklich
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    © 2026 Holding Space with Dr. Barker
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