Inner child work addresses the child-self who developed conversion therapy-related patterns in response to early experiences — and who still needs healing.
What Inner Child Work Means for Conversion Therapy
The 'inner child' isn't metaphysical — it refers to the internalized representations of childhood experiences that drive adult conversion therapy patterns.
When conversion therapy arises in adult situations that echo childhood experiences, the inner child's unmet needs or fears are often activated.
Inner Child Work Techniques for Conversion Therapy
- Compassionate self-dialogue: Speaking to the part of yourself that developed conversion therapy patterns with the kindness you'd offer a child
- Journaling to your younger self: What would you tell the child experiencing conversion therapy for the first time?
- Imagery work: Guided visualization to 'reparent' the child who developed conversion therapy responses
Finding a Therapist for Inner Child Work and Conversion Therapy
Schema therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and psychodynamic therapy all incorporate inner child work as part of conversion therapy treatment.