Finding the Inner Child in Therapy
The inner child is the part of us that houses our earliest memories, emotions, and unmet needs. Childhood neglect, abandonment, or trauma can leave our inner child scared, ashamed, or mistrustful. By connecting with this vulnerable part, we can remember forgotten strengths, heal past hurts, and cultivate self-compassion.
Hansel and Gretel: Reflecting Childhood Abandonment
- Abandonment and Fear: Hansel and Gretel are deserted in the forest by their parents—a symbolic expression of neglect or unavailability. The forest is representative of the inner child’s unsafe, unknown emotional territory.
- Resourcefulness and Ingenuity: Despite their fear, the siblings use breadcrumbs to navigate and survive. This is symbolic of the inner child’s problem-solving and resourcefulness in coping and thriving, even in threatening environments.
- Encounters with Danger: The witch’s house is tempting, but deadly. This is symbolic of places, people, or situations that seem attractive, but that are ultimately harmful to the inner child’s safety and well-being. The fear of being “duped” or “trapped” is something many people carry from childhood.
The Inner Child and Lessons From Hansel and Gretel
Acknowledge Your Fear: Consider where your inner child feels abandoned, unsafe, or unseen.
Honour Your Resilience: Hansel and Gretel are clever, despite their fears. Remember the inner child’s innate resourcefulness and courage.
Spot Your Traps: Identify your “witches”—toxic relationships, habits, or beliefs that promise protection or reward, but are really harmful.
Take Back Your Power: Hansel and Gretel ultimately outwit the witch. Empower yourself in adulthood to set boundaries and protect your well-being.
Working With Your Inner Child
- Reflect on times when fear or neglect has shaped their reactions.
- Nurture and comfort the inner child
- Establish boundaries and develop protective strategies for your current relationships.
The Importance of Hansel and Gretel
Hansel and Gretel remind us that even in the bleakest childhood forests, our inner child has strength, creativity, and resilience. By exploring this fairy tale in therapy, we can safely revisit old wounds, honour our younger selves, and take back our power. True healing doesn’t mean forgetting the past. It means walking through it, hand in hand with our inner child, and emerging stronger on the other side.