Matthias Barker

Matthias Barker, LMHC, is a psychotherapist and founder of Estrangement.com, an online psychoeducation and support program for parents and adult children navigating long-term family disconnection. He’s widely recognized as one of the most followed voices on family estrangement in the world, reaching an audience of over four million people across social media platforms. He is currently conducting research on the patterns and pathways to healing that have emerged from his work with families and is writing a book on the subject. He lives in Nashville with his wife and three children.

5 Results
The top half of a man looks over at the bottom half of his body as it walks away

The Client on the Brink of Estrangement

Two Clinical Responses to the Question of Cutoffs

Cutting family members off is one of the most fraught decisions a client can make—and one of the hardest to navigate as a therapist. Read more

A statue stares through a pair of bright yellow binoculars

6 Therapy Trends to Watch in 2026

Taking on the Burnout Epidemic, The Sex Recession, AI as a "Co-Therapist," and More

Here are six hot takes on what’s in store for clinicians in 2026, from Matthias Barker, Linda Thai, Chinwé Williams, and more. Read more

AI in Therapy

AI in Therapy

A Conversation with Matthias Barker

What happens when AI enters the therapy room? Therapist influencer Matthias Barker chats with Networker editor in chief Livia Kent. Read more

Illustrations by Emmastock/Phonlamaiphoto

Ready or Not, AI Is Here

What If Therapy Bots Become Too Good?

A clinician on the precipice of launching his own AI therapy bot—HIPAA-compliant, infused with personal warmth, and based on thousands of hours of therapy... Read more

Matthias Barker

The Rise of Therapy-Speak

Matthias Barker on Bridging Social Media and the Therapy Room

Influencer and clinician Matthias Barker gives his take on what therapists can do when clinical buzzwords morph into flippant or incorrect notions that clients... Read more