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The Inner Child | What It Is + 10 Exercises

Discover what the inner child is and why so many people are focusing on healing this vital part of themselves. Explore the fundamentals of inner child healing and engage with practical exercises designed to help you nurture and strengthen your relationship with your inner child.

Get Your Inner Child Exercises PDF

What Is The Inner Child?

The inner child is like a younger version of yourself that still influences how you feel and act today, often without you even realizing it. It’s that part of you that lights up when you’re having fun or feels extra sensitive in certain situations. Working on your relationship with your inner child can improve every part of your life. It is a great way to build self-compassion as well as work through past traumas. The inner child influences both our everyday reactions and emotions, and it plays a crucial role in therapy as we work to heal past wounds and build a healthier self-relationship.

Inner Child in Everyday Life

Your inner child plays a big role in how you react to things day-to-day. It’s the part of you that gets excited about fun activities or feels hurt when something touches a nerve. By understanding this, you can start to see why you feel the way you do, whether it’s joy or vulnerability. Practice self-compassion, and be mindful of what triggers your emotions.

Inner Child in a Therapy

By working with your inner child in therapy, you can start to understand where certain emotions or patterns come from and release the impact of those past experiences. It’s a powerful way to break free from old habits and create a healthier, more compassionate relationship with yourself, helping you live a more balanced and fulfilling life today. 

The Many Different Expressions of the Inner Child

Where did the inner child concept come from?

The concept of the inner child has roots in various psychological theories and practices, particularly those developed in the 20th century. Here’s a closer look at the evolution of this idea
Jung’s idea of the “Divine Child” laid an early foundation for the inner child concept. He believed in the importance of reconnecting with this part of oneself to achieve psychological wholeness. Jung saw the Divine Child as a symbol of potential, transformation, and renewal within the psyche. He suggested that acknowledging and integrating this part of ourselves is crucial for personal development and becoming our true selves.

1912

Carl Jung's "Divine Child"

Berne’s Transactional Analysis introduced the child ego state, describing it as one of three fundamental states of the personality (Parent, Adult, and Child). The child ego state contains the emotional experiences from childhood, both positive and negative, and influences our behavior and interactions. Berne’s theory helped to formalize the understanding that our inner child significantly impacts our adult lives.
1960

Eric Berne and the Three States of Personality

Bradshaw’s work brought the inner child concept to popular awareness. His books and workshops emphasized the importance of healing the wounded inner child, arguing that many adult problems stem from unresolved childhood issues. Bradshaw introduced practical methods for inner child work, including visualization and reparenting techniques, making these ideas accessible to a broader audience.

1980

John Bradshaw's Practical Approach

The concept of the inner child has become more common in conversations, though still unfamiliar to many. It’s now understood not only as a tool for healing but also as a way to build a deeper relationship with oneself. Many therapists and other mental health practitioners are using the concept of the inner child with their clients. Modern approaches integrate elements of neuroscience, emphasizing how early childhood experiences shape brain development and emotional regulation throughout adulthood.

Today

Modern Approach

Ready to Start Working with Your Inner Child?

Do you have a relationship with your inner child?
Where do you start? We got you!

Inner Child Exercises

Why Your Inner Child Matters

Heal Past Wounds

Your inner child holds onto unresolved traumas from childhood. Working with this part of yourself allows you to heal these past wounds and grow.

Manage Emotions

Nurturing your inner child helps you manage emotions better by addressing the root causes of emotional pain and responding with compassion.

Experience More Joy

The inner child embodies your natural sense of wonder and creativity. Reconnecting with this part can revive your enthusiasm for life and reduce stress.

Build Self-Compassion

Inner child work encourages you to be kinder to yourself, reducing self-criticism and promoting self-acceptance.

Learn How to Build Self-Compassion

Improve Relationships

Healing your inner child can lead to healthier relationships by helping you understand your own needs and those of others better.

Learn More About Inner Child Work

Download: Inner Child
Healing Meditation Script

Tutorial: How to Write Your
Own Inner Child Meditation

Download: A List of Practical
Inner Child Work Exercises

Download – 10 Affirmations for Inner Child

Downloads – 4 Inner Child Meditation Scripts

1 Guided Inner Child Meditation Audio

Article: What is the inner child?
Download – Inner Child Exercises PDF

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