Healing the Child Within: A Guide to Inner Child Work

What is the inner child?

The "inner child" refers to the emotional and psychological part of the self that represents one's childhood experiences and emotions. The inner child often holds onto memories, emotions and feelings from childhood, and that can continue to influence one's thoughts, feelings, behaviors and decisions in adulthood. Most people have a wounded child within them and thus experiencing many difficulties in their life.

10 signs of a wounded inner child

Here are some common signs that may indicate a wounded inner child:

1. Low self-esteem and self-worth issues

2. Difficulty trusting others or forming healthy relationships

3. Emotional outbursts, reactivity or mood swings

4. Difficulty managing or regulating emotions

5. Negative self-talk or inner criticism

6. Compulsive or addictive behaviors

7. Difficulty setting boundaries or saying "no"

8. Chronic feelings of loneliness, abandonment, or rejection

9. Patterns of attracting unhealthy or toxic relationships

10. Difficulty with intimacy or vulnerability

Why is healing the wounded child important?

By healing our inner child, we begin to create the safety and security our younger selves have always needed. By doing so, the positive traits of our inner child have room to shine. We unlock our natural gifts, our inner curiosity, and our limitless capacity to love. On the other hand, when we avoid addressing our past hurts and feel alone with them, they transform into behaviors destructive to ourselves and our environment.

What is inner child work?

Inner child work refers to a therapeutic approach aimed at healing and resolving emotional wounds from childhood. It involves accessing and working through repressed emotions, memories, and experiences from childhood that are impacting a person's present-day life.

The goal of inner child work is to help individuals understand and integrate their past experiences in a healthy and empowering way, leading to increased self-awareness, emotional stability, improved relationships and much more.

7 steps to connect with your inner child

Here are some steps to help you connect with your inner child:

1. Quiet your mind: Find a quiet, comfortable place where you can relax and focus inward. This could be a park, your bedroom, or any place where you feel safe and calm.

2. Get in touch with your emotions: Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Try to notice any emotions or feelings that come up, and allow yourself to fully experience them without judgment.

3. Imagine your inner child: Visualize a younger version of yourself, as if you were watching a memory from your childhood. See the child as vividly as you can, with all the details of their physical appearance, clothing, and surroundings.

4. Talk to your inner child: Address your inner child and speak to them as you would to a real child. Ask them how they feel, what they need, and what they would like to tell you. Listen to the answers that come to you, even if they seem strange or unexpected.

5. Embrace and validate your inner child: Acknowledge and validate the emotions, thoughts, and experiences of your inner child. Let them know that they are heard, seen, and loved. Offer them comfort and reassurance, and let them know that it's safe to express their feelings.

6. Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion that you would offer to someone else. Remember that your inner child is a part of you, and deserves to be treated with care and understanding.

7. Repeat the process: Connecting with your inner child can be a powerful experience, but it can also be challenging. It's important to approach it with patience and compassion, and to repeat the process as often as you need to.

It's important to note that inner child work can be a deep and transformative process, and some people may benefit from working with a trained coach, therapist or professional to guide them through the process.

Ready to take the next step in your healing and growth?

Here are a few ways to get started:

1. Book a free 30-minute clarity call with me to explore my 1:1 transformational coaching

2. Schedule a private integrative healing session

3. Join my 8-week somatic coaching program, The Liberation Experience