How Too Do Inner Child Work

[jaemaxx]

Writing a letter to your inner child sounds very validating, i will try it
Thanks

[honeypot]

In therapy, I learned the empty chair technique.
You place two chairs across from eachother an envision the person your talking to. In this case, you childhood self, and talk them as though they are sitting in front of you. Speak to them as the parent you needed at the time. Whatever you needed to hear back than, you can say now.

When you’re ready, switch seats and allow those childhood feelings to come back and explain to your current self how you feel, what you need, and how you can be supported, than return to your other chair and acknowledge everything. Make sure you’re inner child hears that you are listening and that you understand.

That understanding is very important. it allows you to open up to your emotions without shutting them down because you are here to listen to yourself.

It’s a simple yet effective technique and I highly suggest anyone to try it. It takes practice to get good at it. You might not know what to say at first, that’s totally normal. Just start with remembering an instant where you wish a parent had stepped in or comforted you or whatever comes to mind. Remember how you felt, remember what you wish you had, and start there. Go at you’re own pace and make sure you’re in a space where you feel safe.
(You can also envision a time when you wished a conversation with a friend went better, or if you’re anxious about a heavy conversation with someone else, working through those thoughts and feelings is a great way to find the right words)

I also suggest journaling about the exercise after you’re done.

Talking through your thoughts and emotions like that in a safe space really helps put everything into perspective and helps you truly understand how you’re feeling, what you need, and how you can support yourself. I highly recommend this technique. It was by far one of the best coping skills I learned in therapy and I feel this technique should be more commonly known ❤

Let me know if something wasn’t clear or if you need more info, I’ll do my best to answer questions but of course, I’m not a professional, so keep that in mind. Be kind to yourself, remember you are valued, loved, respected and cherished even if it doesn’t always feel that way ❤

[CircleofLifeStudios]

I was diagnosed with BPD 8 years ago and it's one of the most difficult things to live with. At the time I said I didn't have a bad/traumatising childhood. Now, years later, I realise I absolutely did. I've also discovered there's generational trauma within my dad's side of the family. I've spent years learning to break that trauma and allow my own child to grow in a more relaxed, outspoken environment.

[citygirlingraham]

This was so important for me, I had a very traumatic childhood. I’m 58. I have been working on myself for 12 years. When I finally figured out what was going on with me, low self esteem, depression, anxiety, the list goes on and on. I am much stronger and I am healing.

[totodos]

My inner child needs some simple fun sometimes! I didn't always have it growing up, so a dinosar colouring book, or an arts and craft session are SO good and refreshing

[moonshynegirl]

This is so necessary. I just found a picture of myself when I was six. I'm going to put it as my background on my phone!

[ihtusernams]

I was with my therapist once and he as we were talking, he stopped and asked me "can you visualize yourself as a child?" I replied: "yes", he then asked me to describe myself as a child, he then asked me "what do you want to say to him?" I immediately started bawling, it was cathartic. I didn't realize how my inner child was neglected and needs help. My parents had internalized trauma they didn't deal with. It totally was amazing to realize I wasn't the problem but rather, my parents failed me.

[Dahnvincente]

I’ve been reading a book called ‘adult children of emotionally immature parents’. The books is by Lindsay C Gibson and I highly recommend anyone struggling with anxiety or depression that stems from childhood into adulthood to read this book. It will change you as much as it’s changed me and everything this woman speaks in this video is TRUTH on how to celebrate and love yourself unconditionally and in a way your parents never could

[anoprzedziwna]

Actually photos of myself when little used to trigger me so much and I couldn't even see myself in those photos. I still don't fully see myself there tbh.
I stopped that for a while and started exploring the way my trauma affects me and that helped me find some compassion for that little kid in the photos.

I knew I-now shouldn't be treated badly before I knew that girl shouldn't have been treated badly.
The self-hatred of that kid was so deeply engrained it was easier separating myself from her entirely.

[Astral_Artz]

I had a highly traumatic childhood and was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder at a young age. I leveled with myself and stopped thinking like a victim and started thinking like a survior. I tell my inner child "its okay, now. We're free. We did it." Trauma is NEVER the childs fault.

[Jcr]

I have often asked Jesus to heal my inner child and He has so deeply that I am forever grateful and I still put my hand on my heart and say come Lord Jesus come when I feel drained, beaten up etc. God bless everyone in their journey.

[yasmiindhowrsan]

❤❤❤❤, Through your inner child meditation I realised that all my neediness, people pleasing, feeling inadequate stemmed from my childhood, Thank you so much for applauding I am forever grateful to you coz I am in position to put me first in a genuine way, I no longer find ways to fit in or adjust in someone else’s world that I ain’t welcomed, I feel liberated, freed from prison that I don’t know how and when I became prisoner of it, I see the world in a different perspective and the views I held are mostly positive. I feel happy and contented keep up with the amazing work that you are doing ❤❤😊

[CricketGirrl]

I recently discovered I hate I my inner child. I saw a picture of myself around age 7, and a wave of disgust and anger swept over me. I know it's because that's how I was treated as a child, but I don't know how to take the first step to liking her. The feelings are intense.

[hyperionsolomon]

One of the best videos you've made, so many layers here.

[intrapsych]

In the depths of childhood's shadows, I did roam,
Innocence stolen, wounds cutting to the bone.

Trauma's icy fingers left my heart benumbed,
In a world of emotions, I felt truly numb.

But through the mind's labyrinth, I began to tread,
Exploring inner realms, where my pain had spread.

Observing my numbness, with courage, I'd delve,
Into the depths of my soul, to reclaim what I'd shelved.

There, I found a child, a ghost from my past,
Lost and abandoned, her cries echoing, so vast.

With compassion and empathy, I drew her near,
Whispered words of solace, wiped away her tears.

Healing began, as I held her tender and close,
Nurturing the part of me that once suffered the most.

Emotionally maturing, as I learned to feel,
A newfound warmth within, like a spring's gentle peel.

A resurrection of sorts, in my heart and my head,
Breathing life into what was once thought dead.

Reconnecting with the past, I forged a bond,
A stronger, wiser self, in the beyond.

Through my souls’ depths, I found the key,
To unlock the emotions that had eluded me.

In this journey of healing, I came alive,
A phoenix rising from the ashes, ready to thrive.

--Intrapsych (2023)

[risenfromthepyre]

I'm glad that the work of the past 50 years is really starting to take hold. We are a trauma based society from trauma based families of toxic shame and its societal impacts can be seen in every area of our world. We must heal. We dont have a choice or we will destroy each other.

[michelleertan]

I love this and have been doing it for years. What’s really helped me is framing several different pics of myself from childhood and physically acknowledging that sweet little girl. It has been extremely helpful.

[louisejabela]

I carry a photo of me from grade 1. Gentle reminder, thanks for sharing, the journal is a good 👍🏻 idea 💡

[Psychedelic-City]

As a kid when i did not understand the bad things that were happening to me I would blame myself so the question would stop haunting me.
I often think about childhood experiences that I didn't understand in the moment and I break everything down and reanalyze as a now adult. As an adult with a better understanding of emotions I can now identify the wrong doings of others throughout my childhood. So many childhood memories I have that I didn't realize were as bad as they were until I talk through it with myself which made the memory worse in the moment but at the end of the day I can walk away with the understanding that it wasn't my fault in the relief is extremely gratifying as if I have a better sense of self and control over my life

[emilymcneil]

Some of the most impactful content I’ve seen on social media. Thank you deeply for what you do