1095 - Is Your Inner Child Sabotaging Your Mental Health?

1095 - Is Your Inner Child Sabotaging Your Mental Health?

Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes

Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes discusses how childhood experiences influence adult stress responses and offers strategies for healing through inner child work.

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15:1613 Feb 2026

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Is Your Inner Child Affecting Your Recovery?

Episode Overview

  • Recognise how childhood experiences shape adult stress responses.
  • Learn techniques to differentiate past triggers from present realities.
  • Understand the importance of compassionate self-response.
  • Explore the benefits of inner child work for mental health.
  • Gain insights into breaking free from cognitive rigidity.
"That child is you... formed when you were young through experiences when you felt unsafe and powerless."

How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes takes listeners on a deep dive into understanding how our inner child can impact mental health and, consequently, our recovery journey. She paints a vivid picture of an anxious child, restless and impulsive, and explains how these childhood experiences shape our adult responses to stress. With a sprinkle of humour and plenty of compassion, Dr.

Snipes unpacks the physiological and psychological effects of an overactive stress response—think cortisol, mood swings, and even brain cell loss! But it's not all doom and gloom. Dr. Snipes offers hope through inner child work, a therapeutic approach that helps individuals differentiate between past triggers and present realities. By recognising these patterns, one can begin to 'override' the stress response, turning off autopilot reactions and fostering a healthier, more balanced life.

Listeners will find practical advice on managing the 'inner critic' and environmental triggers, breaking free from cognitive rigidity, and responding to their inner child with compassion. The episode is a gentle reminder that healing is possible and that with the right tools, one can reclaim power over their mental health. Curious about how your inner child might be influencing your life? This episode provides valuable insights and strategies to help you nurture that inner child towards healing and growth.

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