If you’ve been to or heard about counseling at all- there are a few stigmas that are associated with it.

I’m not going to counseling because you’re going to analyze me, or ask how something makes me feel.

And I don’t want to discuss any inner child stuff.

These are all valid concerns – and depending on the topic of discussion , your inner child will come up.

But here’s the purpose:

We learn a lot as kids and during the infant, child , adolescent stages of life. It’s where our ways of living, and how we perceive and experience the world, are created. It’s the root of our foundation.

So, yes- talking about, looking at, and dealing with experiences that happened to you as a child is necessary.

Sometimes it feels messy, awkward and weird. But it’s how you heal.

Not every topic brought to counseling requires looking at your past , and not every counselor approaches topics by looking at the past.

But it does happen. And it’s helpful.

Why does it feel so messy and uncomfortable?

As we grow, we develop coping skills and defense mechanisms that help our brain deal with experiences that wounded us. Often, they help us avoid a perceived threat.

True healing comes when you look directly at pain with compassion, curiosity and neutrality.

We can’t heal if we don’t acknowledge.

So, what does your younger self need?

What’s keeping you from asking and giving that to younger you?

Be encouraged,

Rachael