Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Re-parenting

In psychology,
re-parenting refers to the process where an individual consciously provides themselves with the emotional, physical, and psychological care they lacked during childhood, or a therapist takes on the role of a parental figure to help a client heal from early psychological disturbances caused by inadequate parenting. This self-nurturing can involve meeting needs for security, affection, and validation, learning to regulate emotions, establishing healthy boundaries, and developing a positive relationship with one's "inner child". 
Two main forms of reparenting:
  1. Self-Reparenting: An adult learns to meet their own unmet childhood needs by practicing self-compassion, setting boundaries, and internalizing a positive internal dialogue. This is an empowering process of self-empowerment and healing.
  2. Therapeutic Reparenting: A psychotherapist actively assumes the role of a nurturing, reliable parent to a client who experienced defective parenting or trauma in childhood. The therapist teaches the client what a healthy relationship with a caregiver feels like, which helps the client repair attachment patterns and develop healthier relationships with themselves and others. 

Why Reparenting is Needed:
  • Unmet Childhood Needs: Psychological issues often stem from childhood experiences where basic needs for love, safety, and security were not met.
  • Inner Child Wounds: Reparenting addresses the psychological wounds caused by childhood neglect or trauma, such as feelings of unworthiness or self-criticism.
  • Maladaptive Behaviors: It helps individuals unlearn harmful patterns and develop healthier ways of being in the world. 

What Reparenting Involves:
  • Self-Compassion: Treating oneself with kindness and understanding.
  • Emotional Validation: Acknowledging and validating one's own feelings and experiences.
  • Setting Boundaries: Establishing healthy boundaries to protect one's well-being.
  • Meeting Needs: Intentionally providing for one's own physical and emotional needs.
  • Positive Self-Talk: Cultivating encouraging and supportive internal dialogue. 

  • Reparenting: What It Is, Why It Works, and How to Start - Terri ...
    19 Aug 2024 — this channel supports my healing growth and learning even as I evolve beyond old patterns." One of my soul teachers ...
    YouTube·Terri Cole
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  • Reparenting: Seeking Healing for Your Inner Child
    28 Mar 2024 — Reparenting involves nurturing one's inner child through self-compassion & addressing unmet emotional needs from chi...
    PositivePsychology.com
  • Reparenting in Therapy - Verywell Mind
    18 Dec 2024 — What Is Reparenting? Reparenting is when an adult works in therapy to meet their own emotional or physical needs tha...
    Verywell Mind
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