To have dialogue with the Inner Child opens the doors to trust and healing. Stepping out of the traditional tools of child/adult communication, the body sensations and the emotions changes everything as it finally gives the child a voice and someone to share with. Traditionally it is done with the non dominant hand speaking as the child with the dominant hand functioning as the adult. Each week there will be a new focus question that can be generic or based on the revelations of the sessions thus far. This journal, in particular, is by no means limited to working with that one question. Ideally you are encouraged to write together a lot, at least daily. The doors this opens and the trust this builds are foundational to the childs willingness to step out from behind the fortress.
Enjoy yourselves…it can be quite the adventure!
- __________________, what would you like to share with me? I am here for you and am ready and willing to listen to you.
- __________________, tell me about your feelings. Do you feel fear? Tell me about it. Do you feel anger? If so, please tell me about it? Do you feel sadness? If so, share with me what it is like for you. How about happiness? What brings this up in you?
- __________________, is it possible that you have some questions for me about how things have been thus far, how I have treated you, how you have called for help and were not heard? Please let me share some information with you so you can understand what has occurred.
- __________________, please share with me times that you felt safe and nurtured. What were the things done that helped you feel that way? What did you do when you felt safe? Can you tell me some things that I can do that will help you feel safe and trust me more?
- __________________, tell me about the things that you believe. From that list of all those things you were taught which are the ones that have had the biggest impact on you. Have your adult go to the new list about the wounded child and see which of those causes and resulting behaviors have meaning to you. Tell me anything you want about what you find out.
- __________________, tell me about a time when you did not feel witnessed, seen for who you are. What was the circumstance? Who was involved? How did you feel? What did you do? How has that impacted you up until now?
- __________________, tell me about another time when you did not feel witnessed, seen for who you are. What was the circumstance? Who was involved? How did you feel? What did you do? How has that impacted you up until now?
- __________________, do you like yourself? What are the things that you like and love about being you? Are there things that you do not like? Did someone teach you this or did you decide for yourself? What would you change about yourself if you could?
- __________________, are you ready to be the one who decides about your life? Do you feel that you can make new decisions and follow through on them? Can you advise your adult self in how to best support you? How does it feel to know that you are so powerful? Do you have any hesitations about this? If so, what are they?
