The child in you: the breakthrough method for bringing out your authentic self

"We all want to be loved, and to feel safe to express who we really are. But over time we grow estranged from what brings us our purest happiness--because everyday traumas, unyielding societal expectations, and the judgment of our parents and peers submerge our true self beneath layers of behaviors rooted in fear and shame and mistrust. In The Child in You, psychologist Stefanie Stahl guides you, step by step, through her therapeutic method that has helped millions to peel away these layers and reconnect with their inner child--both the shadow child, representing our deepest insecurities and the part of our self-esteem that is injured and unstable, and the sun child, representing our greatest joys and the part of our self-esteem that remains positive and intact. The many examples and exercises in this book will help you discover your shadow child and sun child, identify which of the shadow child's dozen self-protection strategies are at work in you, and put into practice the array of proven self-reflection strategies to overcome negative influences and beliefs. Because it's never too late to have a happy childhood, or to bring your authentic self out from the shadows so you can embody your radiant individuality"--

The child in you wants to find a home -- Models of our personality -- The shadow child and the sun child -- How our inner child develops -- Side note: A plea for self-awareness -- What parents should keep in mind -- The four basic psychological needs -- How childhood shapes our behavior -- Side note: In a bad mood? It could be genetic -- How beliefs determine our perception -- We clink fiercely to childhood experiences -- The shadow child and its beliefs: the dynamic downer -- The shadow child, the adult, and self-esteem -- Discover your shadow child -- The shadow child's self-protection strategies -- Heal your shadow child -- Discover the sun child within you -- On self-protection and self-reflection strategies.