Inner Child Work

"Three things are striking about inner child work: the speed with which people change when they do this work; the depth of that change; and the power and creativity that result when the wounds from the past are healed." (Bradshaw)

Because I found this to be true and have had astounding results with this work, I integrate inner child therapy into my practice.

What is an Inner Child?

A lot of us have a younger part within us, called the "inner child", that has not been heard, seen, or treated the way it hoped for in her/his live. As a result, whether it is an inner child, adolescent, or younger adult, feelings of being ignored, abandoned, or not loved may be retained. The memories of these unresolved feelings are carried into adult life and often become buried in the subconscious. However, the younger part within us remains waiting to be found, to be listened to and to be nurtured, and keeps acting out in an attempt to be discovered and attended to.

Many leading authors such as John Bradshaw, Erika J. Chopich and Margaret Paul, Charles Whitfield as well as 12 step programs have written about the importance of building a relationship with the "inner child" and have found that it can reduce loneliness, fears, depression and increase confidence. Discovering younger parts within us can be surprising and awkward at first – it can also be very rewarding!