So many of our beliefs about the world and about ourselves are formed in childhood. These beliefs become our subconscious blueprint and determine how we interact with the world as adults. They can, however, result in us showing up in ways which do not serve us and/or stop us pursuing goals which our conscious mind has set. As a cognitive hypnotherapist I help clients uncover these beliefs. This enables clients to consider whether or not the beliefs are helping or hindering their lives. If the latter, we work together to make changes so that the beliefs are more beneficial.
One way I help clients uncover these beliefs is by journeying back to younger versions of themselves. More often that not we go back to childhood and have a dialogue with their inner child. This is a very cathartic and nourishing process. Not only are we able to learn what's at the heart of issues they are facing as adults, it also enables us to placate their inner child and provide them with love, comfort or whatever else they may be in need of. This not only "feels good", it also, and most crucially, enables their adult self to show up differently. So many of my clients report that this is the most beneficial part of the work that we do together. It truly does serve as a catalyst for great change.
In a recent conversation with Emily Hughes we discussed the many benefits of working with the inner child, the ways in which we use inner child work in our respective fields, and how we have both discovered so much about ourselves by doing this work.
I believe that we can all benefit from speaking to our inner child. If you'd like to try this for yourself, find a quiet space, tap in to how you're feeling and see if anything comes up for you. If you listen closely enough you may just hear what your inner child has been yearning for you to know.
Emily is a Conscious Parenting Coach, Somatic Therapist and Mum of 2. She works with parents who are struggling with anger, frustration and disconnection to rise into inner trust so they can handle any parenting situation with calm, sturdy confidence. She works 1:1, with co-parents and with groups to help parents get intentional and consciously aware in their parenting. She uses a parent centric, body based approach to identify the limiting beliefs, patterns, mindsets and conditioning that keep parents stuck. Parents who come to see Emily leave inspired and empowered.
Parenting is important work, perhaps the most important work and it deserves support and reflection.