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Inner Child Work & Reparenting

emotional · medium · 15-30 min/day

What is Inner Child Work & Reparenting?

A therapeutic practice of connecting with and healing wounded younger parts of yourself by providing the love, validation, and safety that may have been missing in childhood through self-compassion techniques.

Is there evidence for it?

EVIDENCEmoderate

How do you do Inner Child Work & Reparenting?

  1. 1.Connect with your inner child through non-dominant hand writing: write a question with your dominant hand, then respond with your non-dominant hand to access a younger, less guarded voice
  2. 2.Practice daily mirror affirmations: look into your own eyes and say what your younger self needed to hear — 'You are lovable', 'Your feelings matter', 'I will always take care of you'
  3. 3.Use the Butterfly Hug for self-soothing: cross arms over chest, place hands on opposite shoulders, and alternate gentle tapping (bilateral stimulation) for 2-3 minutes when activated
  4. 4.Create a safe inner space: in meditation, visualize a safe place and invite your inner child there; ask what they need, then visualize providing it (comfort, play, protection)
  5. 5.Engage in childlike activities intentionally: draw, color, play, build with Legos, or revisit activities you loved as a child as a way of nurturing that part of yourself

How long does it take?

15-30 min/day.

Is it hard to start?

medium.

PRACTICE ITCalm presence for parents — 4 minute guided meditationFree guided audio, no signup, nothing to install. From Neuro Atelier, our meditation studio.
Source: John Bradshaw ('Homecoming: Reclaiming and Healing Your Inner Child', 1990); Lucia Capacchione (non-dominant hand writing); ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics) reparenting model
inner-child · reparenting · self-compassion · trauma-healing · affirmations · bilateral-stimulation · attachment
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