The psychologist Carl Jung (1875-1961) is considered the first to have coined the term “inner child.” The child archetype is one among many defined by Jung and is a symbol of the developing personality of an individual. In popular and analytical psychology, this part of us is depicted as the individual’s childlike aspect of ourselves which resides within us, throughout our lives.
It is full of innocence, awe and wonder, child-like in quality. When our inner child is healthy, safe and secure, we feel that connect as the adult and it makes us feel happy, inspired, creative and grounded. However, what happens when our inner child is wounded from past trauma and negative experiences? They hold all the memories and emotions, good or bad, that we experienced. These learned messages incurred when we were helpless and dependent on our caregivers.
As adults, we are covertly controlled by our unconscious inner child. It is hard to believe but often, this leaves the child in charge of our lives. When wounded, these little ones are full of anger, shame, and sometimes rage because of the maltreatment they endured. Inner children are the lens through which injured adults make their decisions about life.
These small, lost, and lonely parts of ourselves are afraid, anxious, and insecure, and that can make our lives miserable. However, there is hope. Inner child work can ease the pain and heal the wounds left behind by caregivers who were unconscious and passive to the needs of our developing minds.
The work I do as a Clinical Hypnotherapist and Coach, together with my experience and research into trauma-informed therapies has armed me with the tools to help you work on the inner child that perhaps needs your love, care and attention.
If your inner child is wreaking havoc and creating issues within your relationship to yourself, your partner, your family, your money or your health, reach out to me and let’s start the conversation.
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