Inner Child Work in Therapy
A trauma-informed approach grounded in Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Many people come to therapy wanting to explore what is often described as inner child work — making sense of early emotional experiences, unmet needs, or younger parts of themselves that still feel activated in adult life.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy offers a structured, trauma‑informed way of approaching this work. Rather than revisiting the past in a way that feels overwhelming, IFS focuses on building internal safety and stability first, allowing deeper exploration to happen at a pace that feels steady and manageable.
The term inner child is commonly used to describe parts of us that carry emotions, beliefs, or patterns shaped by earlier relationships and life experiences. These parts may show up as:
Strong emotional reactions that feel out of proportion to the present
Feelings of vulnerability, shame, or fear that seem hard to soothe
Repeating relationship patterns or self‑critical inner dialogue
A sense of being "stuck" despite insight or effort
In therapy, inner child work is not about regression or reliving the past. Instead, it involves developing a compassionate, grounded relationship with these experiences so they can be understood rather than avoided or controlled.
What Do People Mean by “Inner Child Work”?
How Trauma Affects the Body
Trauma doesn’t just affect thoughts and emotions — it can influence how the body responds to stress and safety in everyday life. When an experience feels overwhelming, the body may shift into protective states such as fight, flight, or freeze. For some people, these patterns can continue long after the event has passed.
Many individuals notice effects such as increased tension, changes in breathing, a constantly “on edge” feeling, difficulty relaxing, or feeling shut down or disconnected. These reactions are the body’s attempts to protect you, even if the original event is long over.
Healing often involves reconnecting with the body in ways that feel safe and manageable. Approaches that gently support awareness of physical sensations, grounding, and emotional regulation can help people feel more settled, present, and connected over time.
How IFS Understands Inner Child Experiences
In Internal Family Systems therapy, what people often call the inner child is understood as one or more younger parts of the internal system. These parts may hold emotions, memories, or beliefs formed during times when support, safety, or understanding was limited.
IFS also recognises protective parts that developed to keep these younger parts safe — for example, parts that manage emotions tightly, avoid closeness, become critical, or react quickly under stress.
Rather than trying to change or eliminate any part, IFS works by helping clients access a calm, compassionate internal stance — known as Self‑energy — from which these parts can be approached with curiosity and care.
Inner child work can sometimes bring forward strong emotions. In IFS, this is approached carefully and respectfully. Therapy focuses on:
Establishing internal and external safety before deeper work
Supporting parts to unblend so experiences feel more manageable
Moving at a pace guided by the client’s system rather than the therapist’s agenda
Avoiding overwhelm or re‑traumatisation
This makes IFS particularly suitable for people with histories of trauma, attachment disruption, or emotional neglect.
A Trauma‑Informed and Gentle Pace
Is Inner Child Work Right for You?
IFS‑informed inner child work may be helpful if you:
Feel emotionally reactive in ways you don’t fully understand
Notice younger emotional states influencing adult decisions or relationships
Struggle with self‑criticism, shame, or people‑pleasing patterns
Want to explore your inner world in a structured, psychologically grounded way
Are curious about therapy that values compassion rather than self‑control
You do not need to have clear memories or a trauma history for this work to be useful. Many people begin simply with a sense that something inside needs attention or understanding.
Working With an IFS‑Informed Clinical Psychologist
We offer online therapy grounded in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and evidence‑based psychological practice. Sessions are conducted via secure telehealth and are available to clients across Australia.
IFS‑informed therapy provides a respectful and collaborative way of engaging with inner child experiences, supporting insight, emotional regulation, and greater internal balance over time.
Taking the Next Step
If you’re curious about inner child work and would like to explore whether an IFS‑informed approach is right for you, you’re welcome to get in touch.