Introduction to Inner Child Work: What You Need to Know

Meena Iyer 9999966540

Introduction to Inner Child Work: What You Need to Know

Introduction

Inner child work is a unique therapeutic approach that is psycho-spiritual. It  involves addressing and healing the childlike aspect of our subconscious that carries our early experiences, emotions, and traumas. This article provides an introduction to inner child work, explaining what it is, why it’s important for you, and how you can start this healing journey.

What is Inner Child Work?

The Inner Child is that part of you that still thinks, emotes and even behaves like a child. Whether you are being spontaneous and creative or hurt and violent, the inner child is the one that is expressing through you irrespective of your age, qualifications or status in life. Inner child work refers to the process of reconnecting with and healing the part of your subconscious that retains the memories, emotions, and experiences of your childhood. This inner child influences your adult behaviors, emotions, and relationships, many a time  in ways you might not fully realize. While you would love to be innocent as a child, you hate it when your emotions get the better of you and you end up showing them inappropriately in front of those who don’t  understand or value you. That is why Inner Child work is important. 

Why Inner Child Work is Important

1. Emotional Healing: As mentioned above, unresolved childhood wounds can lead to emotional pain and behavioral issues in adulthood. Sometimes these wounds have been forgotten as they were too difficult to internalize or happened when you were too young to comprehend what was happening. Healing these wounds helps relieve what feels like an old pain that  keeps erupting with the slightest trigger from a situation that presents.  

1. Improved Relationships: A wounded child wants to either isolate in order to stay safe or turns rogue and acts out the pain by inflicting it on others. When you understand and heal  your hurt inner child, you can stop living your adulthood as an extension of your childhood. You can build mature  relationships where you as an adult interact and form bonds with those in your life feeling safe in the boundaries you have drawn. You feel free to be a spontaneous fun loving child or a wise grown up as you feel is apt. You have addressed the root causes of trust issues, fear of intimacy, and other relational challenges.

1. Self-Awareness: The times you feel something or someone has taken away your peace of mind leave you feeling helpless and hopeless.  Inner child work supports you to take responsibility for your feelings by first becoming aware of how you are wired. You have the self-awareness to make sense of difficult situations and people in your life without adding your own past drama to make it worse. Above all, you are aware of your vulnerabilities and can grow to accept yourself. This is a huge relief from constant self blame and criticism. 

1. Personal Growth: A troubled, fearful or angry and vengeful  inner child ends up being a  constant interruption in the path of your growth and evolution. Beginning with a wilful inner child that does not let you stick to your work or exercise schedule to a sad child whose past wounds keep coming up even in your happy times rendering you immobilized with grief, it is important to prioritize Inner Child work for your own growth. This work leads to greater levels of self-acceptance, confidence, and emotional resilience.

Signs You Might Need Inner Child Work

• Negative patterns that sabotage your work, health or relationships.
• Intense emotional reactions to minor triggers.
• Inability to achieve the goals you have set for yourself.
• Feeling overpowered or bullied and not able to draw boundaries. 
• Persistent feelings of inadequacy or low self-worth.
• Difficulty trusting others or forming close relationships.
• Strong feelings of shame and guilt that are difficult to get past. 

How to Start Inner Child Work

1. Recognize the Inner Child

Start noticing the presence of your inner child and the impact of the way this child thinks, feels and behaves sometimes. Reflect on your childhood experiences. If you are comfortable talking to a friend from school or one of your siblings if you trust them,  begin honestly looking at some difficult episodes in childhood and their impact on your adult life. This recognition is the first step. Notice how your behavior and your feelings change with some people and situations. You are not being the adult at all times. Sometimes you seem to regress to an age younger than your biological age in terms of your thinking and feeling. 

2. Create a safe space and adequate time 

You will need a safe and comfortable space where you can reflect on your childhood experiences. You would also need to give yourself time to approach this activity with patience. You will find this far more effective than referring to childhood events abruptly with your friends, siblings or parents when there is an emotionally charged situation. 

3. Journal or record your musings and memories

Taking steps one and two forward, either write or record voice notes of your self motivated inward journeys of reflection. These will be useful for you to read and perhaps share with your therapist or self-help group too. Write about the warm affirmative memories too. When you are going through stress, these will bring a smile and reassure you to trust yourself. 

4. Engage in Visualization

You can get into guided visualizations (preferably under the supervision of a regression therapist or one trained in hypnosis) to visit your inner child at a particular stage of your life that was difficult or even a specific incident. Allow your adult self to interact with your child self loving them and accepting them unconditionally.  

5. Practice Self-Compassion

Begin treating yourself with the same kindness and compassion you would offer to a child. Some of you are parents and would know how easy that is for you. Understand that you have been unnecessarily harsh with yourself at times. Know that your childhood experiences were not your fault and that you deserve healing and happiness which you can provide. 

6. Seek Professional Help

Consider working with a therapist who specializes in inner child work. You can be supported by a professional who can guide your journey to recovering from your childhood wounds. 

Conclusion

Inner child work is a powerful therapeutic practice that can lead to profound emotional healing and personal growth. By recognizing and addressing the wounds of your past, you can improve your emotional well-being, enhance your relationships, and foster greater self-awareness and self-acceptance.

Call to Action

If you feel ready to start your inner child healing journey, take the first step today. Reflect on your childhood, practice self-compassion, and seek professional support. The Inner Child Workshop is an avenue to commence working on your inner child supported by a friendly non-judgemental community of those who are walking this path.

The Inner Child Workshop