Welcome to Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker. In this episode, Dr. Barker dives deep into a classic and still-relevant psychological concept: Transactional Analysis—and why understanding it might be the key to healthier, more productive relationships.

With over 25 years of experience as a psychologist, Dr. Barker unpacks how we subconsciously shift between three ego states—Parent, Adult, and Child—in nearly every interaction we have, especially in romantic or emotionally charged relationships.

You’ll learn:

• What Transactional Analysis is and why it still matters
• The difference between the Parent, Adult, and Child ego states
• How these states show up in arguments, communication breakdowns, and emotional triggers
• Why emotionally immature parenting can lead to emotional stuckness in adulthood
• How to break the cycle and move toward Adult-to-Adult communication
• How this theory overlaps with concepts like inner child work, DBT, and emotional regulation

💬 Ever feel like you're having the same argument over and over again?
💬 Are you trying to be rational, but your partner is reacting emotionally—or vice versa?
This episode gives you the psychological framework to understand why, and how to shift the dynamic.

📩 Got a question or topic suggestion? Drop a comment or send an email—Dr. Barker welcomes your input for future episodes.

BarkerHoldingSpace@gmail.com

✅ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this episode helped you understand yourself or your relationships a little better.

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Holding Space For You

Welcome back to Holding Space with Dr. Christopher Barker. In this powerful and introspective episode, Dr. Barker explores a unique psychological concept he calls “The Cassandra Dilemma.”

Drawing from over 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Barker shares what he believes is the hardest part of being a therapist—not burnout or long hours—but watching people walk down a painful path you already see coming… and not being able to stop it.

Inspired by the myth of Cassandra—the woman cursed to see the future but never be believed—this episode unpacks:

• How therapists often recognize patterns that clients aren’t ready to hear
• The emotional and psychological toll of watching clients repeat painful cycles
• Why lasting change only happens when you’re ready, not just when someone warns you
• The connection to complex PTSD, relationship trauma, and unhealed emotional patterns
• Why intermittent reinforcement keeps us stuck in unhealthy dynamics

Dr. Barker doesn’t just speak to therapists—he speaks to anyone who’s ever seen the writing on the wall and felt powerless to change the outcome.

🧠 If you’ve ever wondered why you keep repeating certain relationship patterns, or why people don’t change even when they “know better”—this episode will resonate deeply.

📩 Got questions or thoughts? Drop a comment or reach out: BarkerHoldingSpace@gmail.com

✅ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this episode moved you.

Thank you for holding space with me.

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Holding Space For You

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of Holding Space with Dr. Barker, Dr. Christopher Barker explores the growing use of artificial intelligence in therapeutic settings—and the serious ethical, emotional, and psychological implications that come with it. Trigger warning: this episode discusses suicide, reality distortion, and emotional manipulation.

Dr. Barker critically examines real-life cases where AI-based chatbot companions and AI therapy apps have led to dangerous outcomes, including suicide and delusional thinking. He challenges the idea that AI can replace the human connection, empathy, and shared vulnerability that real therapy provides. Drawing from personal experiences and client stories, Dr. Barker makes a passionate case for why AI cannot replicate the healing power of a genuine therapeutic relationship.

He also touches on the limitations of AI's understanding of reality, how easily it can blur the line between fiction and truth, and why critical thinking and emotional resonance remain uniquely human strengths. With compassion and clarity, Dr. Barker reminds us that while technology can support mental wellness, it must never replace the nuanced, deeply human connection found in therapy.

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Holding Space For You