What is Inner Child Work?

I have been writing about a lot of the inner work I've been doing since I've started therapy. I've briefly explained how this works, but I feel like it could use another visit.

First of all, it is not something I am often able to do without guidance.  There are some things I don't pursue alone intentionally so that my therapist, Simone, can be on hand to help me sort through the emotions that I encounter. Generally, this isn't something I would recommend trying unless you are currently in therapy.

Usually, Simone and I will discuss what our goals are for the session. It could involve asking questions, exploring a new place or looking for something specific. After we determine what to look for, I relax into the back of the couch in her office and close my eyes. She walks me through some guided deep breathing/relaxation exercises. The first time I did this, she told me to imagine myself in a safe, comforting place. She told me to observe the place - what it felt like, looked like if there were any people or animals there, etc. I found myself on a barren coastline, with no water. Behind me was a sand dune. After a few minutes, Simone tells me to take my time, and come back whenever I was ready. I then open my eyes and share with her everything I experienced and we discuss it.

This is pretty typical.

Over time, my safe place has expanded to include my "happy place" - a lush forest, an underground area which seems to represent the archives of my mind, as well as meeting my "actual self" - a representation of my most inner self, myself at different ages, and my dad. Some of it has been uplifting and inspiring - I've been able to ask my "actual self" questions that I was struggling with. Sometimes she had an answer right away and sometimes she didn't. Other times, it's been very difficult to deal with the resulting emotions. 

These experiences vary greatly from person to person. The places they go to, the things they see and those they encounter are as varied as the movie selection on Netflix. (But not the Instant Play options, because they suck.)

If you were to try this on your own, it may be difficult to fully process everything on your own. You can have revelations by doing your own inner work, but its what you do with that revelation that makes the difference. 

I hope this has helped to answer some questions. I realize it may just bring up others, such as Where did all this come from? For that, I'm going to point you to an explanation of Jungian psychotherapy, because I'm not an expert on that [yet]. If you have any other questions though, please ask!!

Rachel

P.S. Because I heard this the other day (on Glee) and it reminded me of my "happy place", I thought I'd stick it on the end here:

Come with me
And you'll be
In a world of
Pure imagination
Take a look
And you'll see
Into your imagination

We'll begin
With a spin
Traveling in
The world of my creation
What we'll see
Will defy
Explanation

If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Wanta change the world?
There's nothing
To it

There is no
Life I know
To compare with
Pure imagination
Living there
You'll be free
If you truly wish to be

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