Inner child work is a powerful tool for healing from psychological hurt, unhelpful patterns and self-sabotaging behaviours. The inner child is not a literal child — it is a metaphor for the part of you that is still childlike, innocent and full of wonder.
Psychologist Carl Jung described the “Divine Child” archetype, and art therapist Lucia Capacchione pioneered “reparenting” the inner child in the 1970s. Healing your inner child focuses on uncovering and releasing the causes of childlike reactions, so you can meet adult challenges as an adult.
What it can bring
The work helps change behaviour patterns, clear emotional processes and release pent-up feelings — empowering the adult to take responsibility for their thoughts, behaviours and responses. The good news: healing your inner child can feel a lot like self-care.
