inner child work

Inner child work is a therapeutic practice of contacting, listening to, and healing the younger parts of yourself that hold early emotional wounds. It rests on the idea that within each of us live "younger selves"—images and body states of the child you once were—who still carry feelings, beliefs, and needs from that time. When those needs went unmet, the inner child may feel invisible, unsafe, or unlovable in ways that shape adult life.

In practice, inner child work can involve journaling, imagery, dialogue, somatic exercises, and re-experiencing old memories with the support of a therapist. The goal is not to stay stuck in the past but to bring adult compassion, resources, and repair to the places that never got them. Over time, this integration helps reduce reactivity and shame and builds a more stable, self-loving adult.