What is The Inner Child?
Our inner child is a part of ourselves that has been present ever since we were conceived; baby, infant, toddler, young child and school years.
The inner child can often remember good events as well as childhood fears, traumas, neglect or loss. It can be hard to identify the exact event that it is responding too, but we can start to notice certain things that lead us down the right path as we explore.
You have an inner child. I have an inner child. We all do. Your “inner child” is a part of your unconscious that has been picking up messages way before it was able to fully process what was going on. It holds emotions, memories, and beliefs from the past as well as hopes and dreams for the future.
What does the inner child know?
Our inner child remembers feeling invited to a friend’s birthday party and feeling so happy and confident.
Our inner child remembers being ignored and bullied on the bus on the first day of school.
Our inner child is present when we start our first job, proving your boss that you are responsible and capable, feeling proud.
Our inner child is present when we are teenagers, wanting so badly to belong.
It's also the part that feels crushed and betrayed when we are hurt, ignored or lied to, when someone hurts or betrays us.
What are the benefits?
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Accessing repressed memories that are holding you back.
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Being able to feel again after years of being numb.
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Gaining personal power.
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The ability to set boundaries.
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Learning how to take better care of yourself.
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Feeling self-compassion.
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Liking yourself more, being able to enjoy life and have fun again.
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Gaining self-confidence.
The issues that inner child work is known to be very suitable for include:
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Childhood abuse
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Emotional abuse
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Sexual abuse
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Physical abuse
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Depression
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anxiety
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Anger management issues
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Passive aggressive behaviour
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low self-esteem
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Abandonment issues
What would it involve?
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Talking with your inner child
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Journaling from your inner child’s voice
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Talking with a therapist from your inner child’s voice
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Meditating to feel in touch with your inner child
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Using ‘play’ techniques in the therapy room allowing yourself to be playful if real life
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Doing things you loved as a child, learning to ‘parent’ yourself.