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