Finding my inner child to treat depression?

My therapist has suggested that I try to connect with my inner child as a way to treat my depression. I'm wondering if he's right. I am adopted and have always been left to my own devices. I've never gotten into any trouble and have always performed well at school. I was fine, and happy with myself, until lately, when I turned 60 a year or two ago, and was given an opportunity to take on a managerial role. I'm finding this difficult since I've always avoided unnecessary social contact and did things better on my own. But I want to do this. I think it will be a good learning experience for me. My therapist thinks My difficulties are linked to my inner child and that I've never let him out. I find this odd since I used to believe that being left to my own devices meant I can do what I like and that it was the perfect childhood. Anyway, I'm happy to give it a go. But how?

He suggested a role playing method, where I sit in different chairs and pretend that I am a child again and then react to the child as a parent. I'm finding this hard. I don't know what to say as the child. I'll be grateful for any suggestions.

hi Mackie. Welcome to Psych Central

Congratulations on so many happy years. I avoid social contact but less so now after working with people.

Here are articles that may be of interest

Feel free to reply and or send a personal message.

https://psychcentral.com/blog/archiv...r-inner-child/

https://psychcentral.com/blog/archiv...r-inner-child/

I found it interesting that you mentioned you were adopted. I am too. I was just wondering why. Best wishes.

Wondering why about what? Why I mentioned it? Because I wondered if that was relevant. The thing is, I never felt abandoned as a child. I thought I was the lucky one. I could do what I liked. My step-siblings had to try to make good grades, keep to curfew hours, etc. I never had to. I thought I was so lucky.

Thank you, CANDC, for this offer and threads. I'll read them carefully and see how it goes.

I have had depressive episodes on and off all my adult life. In recent years I have been working more on myself with the kind of depth psychology you are talking about, and am finding it helpful! I wish I had done more of this a long time ago now.

That is why I was asking. I have some issues related to adoption and thought you might too. I had a psychologist tell me adopted children have issues. While I do not believe you can make that kind of blanket statement, some do.

Good luck on your continued success.

But I'm feeling rather lost. Like my world has turned upside down. I thought I had a great childhood, now it seems that it was traumatic (and I didn't realize it). I thought that I was in touch with my inner self but now it seems that I'm not (and that my inner self is a child suffering from abandonment and low self-esteem issues). I can accept that to be the case, but what can I do about it? I survived, I did reasonably well with my life, I can't change the past.

The only clue I had was that I was depressed. I couldn't figure out why. So, I'm willing to try anything. Including inner child therapy.

I'm sorry you're going through such a tough time. I really understand. I think it's incredible and impressive that you've made it this long without anything rearing its ugly head. You could try the inner child exercises although like you I'd feel kind of strange talking to an empty chair.

I've heard of re-parenting yourself. I'm sure you could find good inner child exercises out there. I wish you the best of luck and hope you feel better soon.

I apologize if I offended you or brought up something painful. I just know I have a few issues related to that and though you might as well. I work on my issues in therapy as well.

No, Jennifer, you didn't offend me. When did you do that? You've been most encouraging, in fact.