What is Inner Child Integration Therapy?

Do you realise many feelings, perceptions and beliefs you have learnt or accepted as a child are now unconsciously running your life?

Inner Child Integration work is about recovering ourselves and our authenticity, finding our true self or said differently becoming ourselves, finding our inner harmony and balance. We are no longer at war with ourselves, reacting to old programs, belief systems and coping structures. Healing our Inner Child creates wholeness and awareness and with this healing we can make conscious choices.

The Inner Child is not a literal child, it is a metaphorical “little you”. When we have not yet processed and not yet integrated emotions from childhood, the inner child takes the lead and runs the show causing limitations in our adult life. It prevents us from reacting as a mature and healthy adult, that can step back and, only then, act by choice.

How does it work?

The work is mostly experiential. It is not talk therapy. It is inclusive of many modalities such as Regression Therapy, Gestalt therapy, Client Centered Therapy and Psychosynthesis. Knowing when and how to use each tool and most importantly to adapt it to the specific needs of each client is the key to achieving optimum results. The American, Trisha Caetano, is internationally known as a pioneer in Inner Child Integration and Regression Therapy and has given trainings for medical doctors, psychologists and psychotherapeutic professionals in numerous countries for 30+ years. This therapy is recognised by the internationally acclaimed EARTh (European Association for Regression Therapy).

During Inner Child Integration Therapy you get in touch with repressed feelings and you allow them to be discharged. Often this discharge can be very intense, yet necessary. It helps clients release the toxic shame that has stifled their emotional development and kept them from becoming the person they intend to be.

Who is it for?

It is applicable to anyone, adult or young adult, who has had childhood wounds. From physical, emotional abuse, to sexual abuse, neglect, loss of attachment figure, death or addictions; to name just a few. However, at times, we do not realise the wounds we get from our childhood. Childhood that we feel was standard and, all in all, quite happy. But no parent is perfect, even the most loveable one. In a way, to a greater or lesser degree, every family is dysfunctional . Thus this therapy is helpful to anyone who feels stuck in their personal growth and development.

Applications:

Most of us have unconsciously repressed these childhood memories to protect ourselves. That loss of integration results in becoming split off from our authentic self. Over the years this split grows. To some degree, all of us have developed physical, emotional or behavioural symptoms, linked to our childhood, in our day to day life. It can be:

- muscular pain, eczema, sleeping or food troubles,

- anxiety, stress, lack of confidence, limiting beliefs, negative patterns that repeat themselves,

- relationship difficulties, addiction - no matter what is the drug of choice: food, shopping, alcohol,...

This list is not exhaustive.

What can you expect from Inner Child Integration Therapy?

You can expect to be liberated from the past, to live your life authentically, setting boundaries/saying no, being true to yourself and your needs, and becoming a healthy, mature adult. Little by little, you will become the person you were intended to be. You will find healthy relationships, enjoy the freedom of being yourself, and most of all, love yourself. If you are a parent, you will see the evolution of your reactions towards your children. You will take things less personally and be able to step back before acting.

To achieve this outcome, there is no magic wand: you must be committed and involved in the process. It takes time, effort, patience and energy. However it may become the best investment you ever make in your life.

Our hope is to become more conscious, to be free to make our own choices and not be ruled by our past programs. And last but not least: to not pass these wounds to our children.