The Transformative Power of Shadow and Inner Child Work: A Guide to Healing from Trauma

As many know, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, c-PTSD, and bipolar disorder can all be linked to trauma.

I believe it's mission-critical to raise awareness around the impact of trauma on mental health to ensure that individuals can access the appropriate treatment and support.

Trauma-informed approaches to mental health diagnosis, care, and recovery are essential to understanding how trauma influences mental health and providing the best care possible.

For individuals who have experienced trauma, this is an opportune time to promote two somatic healing modalities that changed the trajectory of my life - Shadow Work and Inner Child Work.

These two healing practices can help survivors identify, process, and heal from unresolved childhood pain and trauma. Shadow work and inner child work allow individuals to tap into the depths of their subconscious and work through their deepest emotional wounds.

With 1 in 6 individuals experiencing trauma, the prevalence and impact of trauma are significant. It's important to understand that trauma impacts the brain in profound ways that can last a lifetime. Part of the impact of trauma is that it disconnects individuals from their true and most authentic selves. They may carry shame, guilt, self-hatred, and negative core beliefs into adulthood that have roots in childhood experiences.

This disconnection from oneself can manifest in several ways, including anxiety, depression, addiction, self-sabotaging behavior, and codependency. Shadow work and inner child work address these patterns by diving deep into the unconscious mind to identify the root cause of the behavior.

I understand the transformational power of shadow work and inner child work because I have experienced it firsthand. As a trauma survivor and someone diagnosed with several mental health conditions, I consciously struggled with major depression, anxiety, and codependency. Still, I unconsciously held much deeper feelings of shame and unworthiness. I believe the unconscious (i.e., the issues beneath the surface) can be the most destructive if not recognized and addressed.

When I began my healing journey around depression, it was through talk therapy, but I eventually reached the point where "talking" was just not enough. I wanted and (desperately needed) more support and healing. I wanted to uncover patterns of self-destructive and self-sabotaging behavior that I knew were holding me back from living the best and most fulfilling life.

Learning about and engaging in shadow work and inner child work were complete game-changers on my healing journey. Both methods allowed me to identify how childhood experiences impacted my adult life and tap into a deep well of unresolved emotions. I found deeper healing and closure through these tools, in addition to traditional therapy and medication.

It's important to note that engaging in shadow work and inner child work can be very challenging. It can bring up uncomfortable emotions and feelings of vulnerability, particularly about things that you have buried and may not be consciously aware of. This is why it is essential to work with trauma-informed practitioners, including therapist, licensed counselors, or life coaches who understands trauma and its impact on your nervous system.

As a certified mindset coach, I am trained to support my coaching clients with inner child work and shadow work as part of my coaching process. As a trauma survivor of these methods, I know firsthand this work's transformational and healing power. When done correctly, shadow and inner child work can help trauma survivors transform negative core beliefs and behavior patterns and create lasting change.