The Most Common Mistakes People Make in Inner Child Work

The Most Common Mistakes People Make in Inner Child Work

From Inner Bonding by Margaret Paul PhD

May 25, 2026 · 15 min · Episode 318

About this episode

Dr. Margaret Paul discusses common mistakes in inner child work and how to effectively engage in the healing process.

Are you doing inner child work but still feeling stuck, anxious, or emotionally overwhelmed? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Margaret Paul addresses one of the most important and most misunderstood topics in the healing space: what inner child work actually is, and the common mistakes that can inadvertently reinforce the very wounds you are trying to heal. Dr. Paul begins by drawing a crucial distinction between the soulful inner child and the wounded self that developed in response to fear and false beliefs, and walks through the key mistakes she sees again and again: giving the wounded child too much power, confusing love with indulgence, using inner child work to avoid adult responsibility, staying focused on pain without bringing in love and guidance, trying to fix the inner child rather than develop the loving adult, and attempting this work without a connection to something greater than the ego. Come explore what real, effective inner child work looks like here on the Inner Bonding podcast! Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe and leave a 5-star review! About Dr. Margaret Paul Dr. Margaret Paul, PhD, is a bestselling author, relationship expert, and the co-creator of the Inner…

People in this episode

Host: Margaret Paul PhD

Topics covered

  • inner child work
  • emotional healing
  • self-improvement
  • common mistakes
  • wounded self
  • soulful inner child

Keywords

  • inner child
  • healing
  • emotional overwhelm
  • self-help
  • wounded child
  • adult responsibility

More episodes of Inner Bonding

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Inner Bonding podcast page.