Holding Space with Dr. Barker

About Holding Space with Dr. Barker

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

Publisher

Dr. Christopher Barker

Category

education · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Mar 2025

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

98 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Oct 2026

   When Trauma Feels Like Love: Breaking Toxic Relationship Patterns

   What if what feels like chemistry is actually your nervous system recognizing chaos? After surviving childhood abuse, Anu Verma spent decades disconnected from her emotions and searching outside herself for love, safety, and acceptance. She found herself moving from one unhealthy relationship to another without understanding why the pattern kept repeating. In this deeply personal episode of Holding Space, Anu joins clinical psychologist Dr. Christopher Barker to explore how childhood trauma can shape self-worth, attachment, communication, and the relationships we choose as adults. Together, they discuss: • Why familiar chaos can be mistaken for love • How childhood trauma can influence adult relationship patterns • Why external validation may feel essential when self-worth is absent • How dissociation can make it difficult to recognize or express emotions • Why some trauma survivors shut down during conflict • The connection between abandonment wounds and hyper-independence • How substances, relationships, travel, and entertainment can become ways of avoiding pain • Why understanding a pattern is different from changing it • The role therapy played in helping Anu feel safe and develop healthier coping skills • How inner-child work helped her reconnect with the little girl who felt abandoned • Why healing may require attention to both the mind and body • How writing helped Anu understand and organize her experiences • What forgiveness can mean without excusing abuse or minimizing its impact • Why self-compassion remains important when triggers return Anu also speaks openly about surviving multiple suicide attempts, reaching rock bottom, and gradually finding a reason to remain alive. Her story is not about pretending that the past no longer hurts. It is about recognizing that the past can shape us without being allowed to define our future. You were doing the best you could with what you understood at the time. The child you once were still deserves compassion, protection, and love. Learn more about Anu: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzhhmjStavLAZdhKgWjQb0Q https://linktr.ee/healing.journeyy Learn more about Dr. Christopher Barker: https://www.drchristopherbarker.com (https://www.drchristopherbarker.com/) Content note: This episode discusses childhood abuse, suicidal thoughts and attempts, substance use, domestic violence, dissociation, complex PTSD, and unhealthy relationships. If you are thinking about suicide or believe you may be in immediate danger, please contact local emergency services or a crisis-support service in your country. This conversation is educational and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.

2. 

   8 Oct 2026

   Why We Repeat Painful Relationships: Healing Attachment Wounds Through the Body

   Why can you understand that a relationship is unhealthy and still feel unable to let go? Attachment wounds do not exist only in our thoughts. They can become deeply embedded in the body, shaping whom we are drawn to, how we respond to uncertainty, and why painful relationship patterns continue even after we understand them intellectually. In this episode of Holding Space, clinical psychologist Dr. Christopher Barker speaks with Ben Oofana, an instructor and healing practitioner who has spent more than 35 years working with people navigating heartbreak, grief, trauma, and major life transitions. Drawing from his lived experience with insecure attachment, psychotherapy, meditation, traditional healing practices, bodywork, and Chinese internal arts, Ben describes how he began recognizing and transforming the patterns that repeatedly drew him toward unavailable or harmful relationships. Together, they explore: • Why insight alone may not change deeply ingrained relationship patterns • How attachment wounds can influence attraction and emotional bonding • Why we may remain fixated on people who are unavailable or unhealthy for us • The connection between trauma, dissociation, and disconnection from the body • How emotions and physical sensations can reveal what the mind has learned to suppress • Why healing involves processing lived experiences rather than simply understanding them • The role of psychotherapy, breathwork, meditation, body awareness, and consistent practice • How reparative experiences can gradually teach the nervous system that connection is safe • Why even fifteen minutes of daily practice can support meaningful change • The importance of finding qualified support when emotions feel overwhelming • Why healing requires patience, repetition, and a willingness to face discomfort Ben and Dr. Barker also discuss a truth that many people discover during recovery: knowing why a pattern exists and being free from that pattern are not always the same thing. Healing is rarely an instant breakthrough. More often, it is the gradual process of becoming present enough to respond differently. Connect with Ben Oofana: Website: https://benoofana.com/ (https://benoofana.com/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benoofana/ (https://www.instagram.com/benoofana/) Breakup First Aid: https://breakupfirstaid.com/ (https://breakupfirstaid.com/) Heal My Heartache: https://healmyheartache.com/ (https://healmyheartache.com/) Learn more about Dr. Christopher Barker: https://www.drchristopherbarker.com (https://www.drchristopherbarker.com/) Content note: This episode discusses childhood trauma, insecure attachment, abusive relationships, grief, dissociation, heartbreak, and war-related suffering. The traditional and complementary practices discussed reflect the guest’s personal and professional perspective. This conversation is educational and is not a substitute for licensed mental health or medical care.

3. 

   6 Oct 2026

   From “Why Me?” to “Why Not Me?”: Healing Trauma After 40 Years

   What happens when trauma you survived decades ago finally asks to be felt? At twelve years old, Tracy Smaldino was the sole survivor of a devastating car accident that took the lives of both her cousins. She sustained burns across 70 percent of her body, a serious head injury, damaged lungs, and other life-threatening injuries. She had to learn how to read, write, and speak again. Years later, she survived another deeply traumatic experience at a high school party. For nearly forty years, Tracy pushed much of that pain aside. When she finally began confronting it, she discovered layers of grief, survivor’s guilt, and trauma that were still affecting her life. In this episode of Holding Space, clinical psychologist Dr. Christopher Barker speaks with Tracy about the courage required to face what happened without allowing it to define who you become. Together, they explore: • Why unprocessed trauma can resurface decades later • The survivor’s guilt Tracy carried without recognizing it • How meditation began to uncover what she had suppressed • Why healing often happens in very small steps • The role of therapy, journaling, meditation, and breathwork • Why every survivor’s healing journey looks different • How trauma can affect the body, nervous system, and everyday decisions • The importance of professional support when beginning trauma work • Why comparing trauma can prevent people from honoring their own pain • How Tracy transformed “Why me?” into “Why not me?” • What it means to reclaim your power without denying your past Tracy is the creator and host of Trauma Rock Stars™, a community built to help survivors feel seen, supported, and celebrated. Through honesty, humor, and heart, she reminds us that healing may be frightening, but we have already survived the worst part. What happened to you is part of your story. It does not have to become your identity. Connect with Tracy Smaldino: Website: https://traumarockstars.com/ (https://traumarockstars.com/) Social media: @Traumarockstars Learn more about Dr. Christopher Barker: https://www.drchristopherbarker.com (https://www.drchristopherbarker.com/) Content note: This episode discusses a fatal car accident, severe burns, childhood trauma, sexual assault, survivor’s guilt, and post-traumatic stress without graphic detail.

Who has been a guest on Holding Space with Dr. Barker

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Lynn Lyons
• Dr Keith Morgen
• Gabby
• Caesar Salas
• Jackie Briggs

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

52,395

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 47 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

65

Social presence

0

YouTube

72

Engagement

0

Contact Holding Space with Dr. Barker

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Holding Space with Dr. Barker