Working with the Inner Child: An Introduction for Practitioners
Written by the ICPS College Academic Team · Reviewed by ICPS College faculty · Last reviewed: September 2026
The idea of an inner child is widely used in counselling and psychotherapy to describe the parts of us shaped by early experience: our needs for safety, attention, play and comfort, and the ways we learned to cope when those needs were not met. Inner-child work invites clients to notice these younger parts with curiosity and compassion rather than criticism.
Where the idea comes from
Inner-child approaches draw on several traditions, including attachment theory, transactional analysis and its Child ego state, humanistic therapy and psychodynamic thinking about early relationships. Although the language varies, the shared insight is that early relational experience continues to influence how we feel, think and relate as adults.
Core elements of inner-child work
Recognising when a present-day reaction carries the intensity of an earlier experience.
Grounding and stabilisation so that the adult self stays present.
Gentle reparenting: offering the understanding and care that was missing.
Imagery, letter-writing and creative methods used at the client's pace.
Integrating insight into everyday self-care and relationships.
Safety and ethical boundaries
Because inner-child work touches early memories, it can evoke strong emotion. Practitioners need to pace the work, attend to signs of overwhelm and avoid suggesting memories or interpretations. Clients with significant trauma histories may need a longer period of stabilisation, and supervision is an important support.
A one-day introduction with ICPS College
Working with the Inner Child is a focused one-day, live-online workshop carrying 15 CPD credits. It introduces inner-child concepts, early relational experience, grounding, gentle reparenting, imagery and safe ethical boundaries.
For a deeper, developmental study of this area, see also the Professional Diploma in Working with the Inner Child & Child Development.
Related ICPS College courses
Important information
This article is educational content for practitioners and learners. It is not a substitute for professional advice, counselling or therapy.
If you are struggling or in distress in Ireland, you can call Samaritans free on 116 123 or text HELLO to 50808 at any time. In an emergency, call 112 or 999.
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