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The "inner child" is a concept describing how our childhood experiences are foundational to self.

Working with the inner child begins with observing how the past affects our current experiences.

Healing the inner child happens when our adult self can respond compassionately to our child self.

In experiences that heighten vulnerability, including chronic illness, inner child work can be important.

“Working with one’s inner child” is one of those psychotherapy concepts that has become mainstream. This post explores the concept in general and as it relates to living well with chronic illness.

What is an “inner child”? We developed into the people we are today over a long period of time. Each of us was a newborn, an infant, a child, and an adolescent. Our experiences in each of these developmental stages shaped and continue to shape us. Our beliefs about self, others, and the world began to take shape in our earliest days. “Each developmental age is not left behind but forms one small part of all that we are.” (Sjoblom et al., 2016).

Children are vulnerable. They do not have the cognitive and physical capabilities of adults. Thus, they are highly dependent on their parents and caregivers. Children learn from the adults who care for them how to respond to their own emotions.

Think for a moment of a child who—frustrated or sad or weary—cries. Let’s imagine that her caregiver scowls at her and barks, “Stop crying, or I’ll give you something to cry about.” This child has learned that expressing her emotions is dangerous because it........

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