Dora Kalff, the founder of sandplay therapy, said: “I am deeply moved again and again at the discovery of how close the child’s psyche is to spiritual and healing forces.” This profound insight resonates deeply with the work I do and highlights a truth many of us overlook: our inner child is not only a source of creativity and wonder but also a wellspring of healing and resilience.
In my practice, I often meet adults who were never truly allowed to be children. They missed the freedom to play, explore, and create—essential aspects of emotional development. Their childhoods may have been marked by responsibilities due to parentification, trauma, or a lack of emotional attunement. This deprivation often manifests in adulthood as feelings of disconnection, stagnation, or even unresolved pain.
Why the Child’s Psyche Matters
The psyche of a child is incredibly attuned to healing and spiritual forces, as Kalff noted. Children naturally know how to express themselves, process emotions, and make sense of the world through play and imagination. When this innate ability is suppressed or interrupted, it can lead to a sense of loss or incompletion in adulthood.
The Healing Power of Play and Creativity
This is where reconnecting with the inner child through play and creativity becomes so vital. Sandplay therapy, for example, offers a profound way to access and heal the parts of ourselves that were silenced. Through the act of creating symbolic worlds with sand and miniature figures, we can give voice to unexpressed emotions and experiences. The hands engage in a healing process that transcends intellectual understanding, allowing the psyche to reconnect with its natural capacity for growth and self-regulation.
Play therapy and creative activities are not just for children—they are essential for adults as well. They provide a safe space to explore emotions, confront fears, and rediscover joy. Through these practices, we begin to nurture the parts of ourselves that were left unmet in childhood.
Building Resilience Through Connection
When we reconnect with our inner child, we tap into an intrinsic source of resilience. By honoring the child’s psyche within us, we create space for healing, self-compassion, and growth. This process doesn’t just help us heal old wounds; it equips us to face new challenges with greater strength and creativity.
Kalff’s observation reminds us that the child within us isn’t just a relic of the past—it is a living, breathing part of who we are. And when we engage with it, we open ourselves to the spiritual and healing forces that have always been present, waiting to guide us toward wholeness.
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