subject spotlight
Therapy for healing inner child
Most of us carry a bit of childhood with us—sometimes in the form of warm, happy memories, and other times as emotional echoes from painful or unmet needs. When those early experiences leave a lasting emotional imprint, they can live on inside us as what many refer to as the “inner child.” And when that inner child feels wounded or ignored, it can quietly influence how we show up in our adult relationships, how we handle stress, and how we feel about ourselves.
This is where inner child work comes in—and yes, it really can change your life.
If you grew up with emotional neglect, trauma, or even just felt like your needs didn’t matter, that younger part of you might still be holding onto hurt. Without realizing it, those unresolved feelings can shape your self-esteem and cause you to react to adult situations with the same emotions you felt as a kid. Therapy, especially individual therapy in Hermosa Beach, offers a supportive way to understand and begin healing this part of yourself.
For those seeking online therapy across California or in-person sessions in nearby cities like Redondo Beach or Manhattan Beach, inner child work can be just as accessible and powerful. It’s not about digging up the past for the sake of it—it’s about creating a more compassionate, stable, and connected present.
The inner child is the part of you that carries the emotions, beliefs, and experiences from your early years. Whether those memories are joyful or painful, they shape how you see the world, how you connect with others, and how you treat yourself. You might not always be aware of it, but when you feel unusually reactive or sensitive, chances are your inner child is trying to get your attention.
This younger version of you may carry unhealed wounds—like fear of abandonment, a deep craving for validation, or shame around expressing needs. And while your adult self may have outgrown the situations that created those wounds, the emotional imprint can stick around.
what is the inner child?
The more you begin to notice these reactions, the more compassion you can bring to them. Instead of blaming yourself for being “too sensitive” or “too emotional,” you can start to ask: what part of me is feeling unheard or unsafe right now?
Working with a therapist can help you make sense of these moments and respond in ways that support your growth rather than keep you stuck in old patterns.
how do you know when your inner child is activated?
You might hear it described as “reparenting” yourself—which means learning how to soothe, support, and validate your own feelings in a way that your younger self may not have experienced.
Here in South Bay, many people seek individual therapy to explore their inner child. Whether they experienced overt trauma or subtle emotional neglect, therapy helps rewrite those early messages like “you’re too much” or “your feelings don’t matter.” Through this work, people often discover a stronger sense of self, improved relationships, and greater emotional stability.
And thanks to online therapy in California, you don’t have to be in Hermosa Beach to start this journey—healing is just a secure video session away.
what is the inner child work?
Healing is a gradual, nonlinear process. But as your inner child begins to feel seen, safe, and nurtured, you’ll start to notice a few key shifts:
You can self-soothe without relying on external validation or shutting down.
You use healthier coping skills, like journaling, mindful breathing, or reaching out to a friend—instead of spiraling into old habits.
You express your needs more confidently, and you stop apologizing for having emotions.
You manage triggers with more grace, even if they still sting at times.
You respond instead of reacting, especially in emotionally charged situations.
These changes signal that you're developing a more compassionate relationship with yourself. And that’s the real heart of healing—learning to show up for yourself like the caregiver you always needed.
how do you know your inner child is healing?
Inner child work can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unpacking trauma or patterns that have been around for decades. That’s where therapy makes a huge difference. A therapist in Hermosa Beach—or through online therapy anywhere in California—can help you:
Create a safe space to explore your story without judgment.
Understand how your past connects to the present, especially in relationships or moments of emotional stress.
Practice reparenting techniques, like inner dialogue, boundary setting, and emotional validation.
Learn self-soothing strategies that build emotional resilience and reduce shame.
You don’t have to do this work alone. Whether you're looking for therapy in Hermosa Beach, seeking in-person sessions nearby in Redondo Beach or Manhattan Beach, or prefer the flexibility of online therapy in California, healing your inner child is within reach.
It’s not about “fixing” yourself. It’s about offering your inner child the love, support, and safety they never received—and becoming the adult you always needed.
