When, as a young adult, I started to seek and find language on mental health, I came across a popular psychology concept of “the Inner Child” (on Instagram, admittedly!). I understand this concept as an emotional being within oneself, who carries core beliefs and emotional behaviors learned from families of origin, often our first teachers.

As a young adult, I’ve been seeking language to better understand mental health. I admittedly came across a popular psychology concept called “The Inner Child” on Instagram. [rewrite the last sentence].

My parents taught me lessons they learned as Khmer refugees and genocide survivors. In my childhood, I experienced emotional outbursts that came without context or warning. Within “the Inner Child” framework, one “heals” by addressing inappropriate lessons in adulthood—one “re-parents” oneself, becoming the appropriate adult figure.

Part of my healing process meant that I need to address the toxic and problematic behaviors I learned from my childhood as an adult now.