How to Heal Your Inner Child | Being Well

We all have an "inner child:” the part of ourselves that carries the emotions, beliefs and experiences from our early years. While this aspect of ourselves can be a source of creativity, playfulness and wonder, it might also harbor unresolved wounds that affect our adult relationships and behaviors. In this episode, @RickHanson and I explore what the inner child really is, how it manifests in our lives, and practical ways to work with this important part of ourselves. We discuss how to identify inner child wounds, demonstrate techniques like voice dialogue, and share strategies for bringing more awareness and healing to our younger selves.

Key Topics:
0:00 Introduction
1:10 What is the inner child?
7:25 How the inner child shows up in our adult lives
10:40 A CBT-ish way of thinking about the inner child
16:40 Unmet needs, and examples of inner child wounds
21:40 Promoting the positive aspects of the inner child
29:10 How to begin engaging with the inner child
34:55 Shame, and turning toward yourself
38:25 Reparenting
46:00 Voice Dialogue demonstration
1:00:00 Reflections on the demonstration
1:05:45 Other approaches, and reasons you might be having a hard time
1:09:10 Rage and release, looking at pictures, and creating an autobiography
1:13:45 Balancing the inner child's desires with the realities of life
1:19:50 Recap

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I'm not a clinician, and what I say on this channel should not be taken as medical advice.

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[gregmaslyn]

I came here because I wanted someone(s) to speak very nicely to me for a little while 😂❤

[Ruelove]

The look on the youngs guy's face when his dad liked the way he explained cbt was priceless ❤

[Jozefus]

You are both amazing. I can't imagine talking to my dad or mom like this openly. It's like being from another galaxy. Thank you very much.

[anniemac]

I'm 64, Australian diagnosed with Cptsd /ADHD My Trauma Psychologist and I regularly discuss about what comes up after your podcasts, we're both fans, and she, attendee of Rick's Lectures. I'm so grateful for you both, your wisdom, experience, discussions, your gentleness and humour. - Thank you. Your topics are always so timely for me. I cherish watching you relate to each other, and love between you. Forrest. btw my son's middle name is Forrest, as it's a family name. 🙏 Namaste

[patrick]

Filled with great ideas. Love you two, your generosity, compassion, knowledge and experience. For me, at 67, I find myself in a place of insecurity on several levels.it's embarrassing to not have life "figured out." Even as I feel certain I'm not alone. You two are helping. So glad I somehow found you.

[rosegirl]

Loved this and I've learned alot. And I just want to say how great it was to listen or watch a podcast with 2 people and not a single interruption!

[Soh]

As a psychotherapist myself I have so much respect and appreciation for your immensely informative clips. Specially admire your honesty and humility. Thank you.

[rzpzqcb]

I love all these podcasts, but this one is the very best for me. Thank you both so much.

[Min-utiae]

If you don’t have something as a child, you don’t necessarily know that it exists anywhere for you to have. The status quo is all there is and as a 60 year-old I am still unpacking and often find myself super surprised by bits and pieces of those needs that were not a part of the norm in my childhood.

[nurnia]

This is really amazing. Your dad is such a treasure :) - I actually feel like he's talking directly to the inner child in me because of his gentle tone. I also really want to thank you for this podcast, it has helped me through extremely difficult periods of my life.

[kimminne]

I love your podcast Forrest and I like the relationship you and you dad have. Thank you for being you and sharing information that helps the rest of us be better human beings by understanding and accepting ourselves.

[britbrat]

Forrest, you bring so much light into my life everyday as I listen to both you and your dad on this podcast everyday. I am a second year graduate student in Texas pursuing Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree - I fell in love with psychology during high school when I took my first introduction to psychology course. Man, I have learned so much about myself, my relationships, and others as we are all individually unique. I have fallen in love with this field and this podcast is apart of my everyday - I always learn something new to apply in my life and I always encourage friends and family to listen to this podcast. The relationships you have with both your dad and fiance, is so beautiful and WHOLESOME :) thank you for this podcast with your dad <3

[lizzyjohnson]

This was so needed! Love the explanations and took many many notes. Will be watching again ❤️❤️❤️

[Emilia_Cuevas_Presenter]

Yes, Forrest and your father are incredible and so helpful to me as I navigate my way through complex ptsd resulting from 6 years of domestic snd narcissistic abuse. I am so grateful for your resources!

[eatthesunbeams]

This is so helpful, thank you so much! I loved the role play, and I’m so grateful for the examples you were both willing to share. I struggle a lot with an automatic dismissal of everything that’s ever happened to me as “not that bad, ” and it helps so much to hear other people’s stories and recognize them as worthy. It makes it easier to be kind about my own stories. Sending so much love and appreciation your way!

[CynthiaM-co]

I think you all are of the highest quality and of excellence! I appreciate your videos.

[chaniawillow]

The role play you did helped me understand how IFS works. It makes more sense to me now and I will try to reflect more on my parts and what they are saying and the role they are serving for me. I also enjoyed the part about what was happening to our parents that our child self would not have been able to understand. E.g double shifts, reports that were over due etc. Great ep. We appreciate what you do!!

[carrieallmon]

I *so* appreciate your channel! I've been sharing it with clients and others in my life. You're making big, positive waves of healing... Kudos to you, Forrest❣️

[melissachinnici]

You should invite Patrick Teahan on the show!! It would be so cool to hear yall banter about this

[thelondoners-lifeisart]

Little children in adult bodies feel things keenly.
This work of validation and understanding is absolutely essential.
Thank you for such a friendly calm and intelligent explanation.