The Hardcore Therapist 126.5- How do you actually heal your inner child — beyond journaling and social media advice?

2026-03-04

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Send a textIn this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I break down the science behind inner child healing and what actually works.If you struggle with:Anxious attachmentOver-functioning and codependencyEmotional reactivity in relationshipsPeople-pleasing or hyper-independenceShame, abandonment fear, or chronic self-criticismThis episode explains how early attachment experiences wire the nervous system — and how to update those patterns using evidence-based m...

Send a text

In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I break down the science behind inner child healing and what actually works.

If you struggle with:

Anxious attachment
Over-functioning and codependency
Emotional reactivity in relationships
People-pleasing or hyper-independence
Shame, abandonment fear, or chronic self-criticism

This episode explains how early attachment experiences wire the nervous system — and how to update those patterns using evidence-based modalities like:

Internal Family Systems (IFS)
EMDR
Attachment-based therapy (EFT)
Somatic therapies
Schema therapy

We also cover practical tools you can start using immediately to regulate triggers, interrupt reenactment patterns, and build secure self-leadership.

This is inner child work without the fluff — grounded in research, attachment science, and trauma-informed care.

Research & Resources

Bamelis, L. L., et al. (2014). Schema therapy for personality disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry.
Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and Loss.
Hodgdon, H. B., et al. (2021). Internal Family Systems for PTSD. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma.
Jerath, R., et al. (2015). Physiology of long pranayamic breathing. Medical Hypotheses.
Johnson, S. M., et al. (2013). Emotionally Focused Therapy outcomes. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy.
Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2007). Attachment in Adulthood.
Neff, K. (2003). Self-compassion research. Self and Identity.
Payne, P., Levine, P., & Crane-Godreau, M. (2015). Somatic experiencing. Frontiers in Psychology.
Porges, S. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory.
Schore, A. (2001). Effects of early relational trauma on right brain development. Infant Mental Health Journal.
Shapiro, F. (2018). EMDR Therapy.
Tedeschi, R., & Calhoun, L. (2004). Posttraumatic growth. Psychological Inquiry.
van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score.
WHO (2013). Guidelines for trauma treatment.