A clinical psychologist explained the fashion for the "inner child"

Today, many people talk about the inner child, sometimes not really understanding the meaning of this term. And because of the wrong interpretation, problems begin, Tatyana Meteleva, a clinical psychologist and head of the rehabilitation program at Dr. Isaeva's Clinic, told Izvestia.

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"When we talk about the "inner child," it is important to understand that we are not talking about any individual, but about a metaphor and part of our mental structure. It contains children's emotions, desires, experiences, traumas, joys, creativity, spontaneity, vulnerability — all that is inherent in a child until he grows up. This part of our self continues to influence some adult reactions, fears, and behaviors," the clinical psychologist explained.

The concept of three ego states of personality (parent, adult, child) was developed by psychologist and psychiatrist Eric Bern, the doctor recalled, then this idea was independently developed beyond transactional analysis and became popular because the cultural paradigm has changed.

Meteleva emphasizes that appealing to the inner child does not mean permissiveness.

"The inner parent sets the bounds of reason, and that mature rational part of the personality, which psychologists call the inner adult, makes decisions based on facts, and not on the basis of childhood fears or emotions that will pass tomorrow. It's not a child who rules, but an adult," explains the clinical psychologist.

Read more about why the fashion for the inner child appeared in the Izvestia article.

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