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