Most times when people think of inner child work, they think of doing things like journaling or visualizations to address trauma, unresolved childhood experiences, or deeply rooted negative beliefs, but what about inner child play? When I was deep in my mental health recovery and trying to rebuild my life, I realized that my sense of Fun and play had been stomped out with a focus on adulthood productivity, achievement, and even self-improvement. Where was the Fun of life? I felt like how do I make space for things like fun, enjoyment, laughter, and play, especially when I had no extra money, no friends to hang out with, and no leads on what to do. I now have things that I do that I never thought I would do or try that I thoroughly enjoy. Even if I only do them occasionally. And I am human, I get bored sometimes, but I have worked consistently to let my inner child explore, adventure, and play safely without pressure or expectation so I can live my life with more joy and more creativity.

Growing up in a home with alcoholic parents left me confused, angry, and full of self-doubt. I didn’t understand why I struggled so much with low self-esteem and loneliness until I started therapy. That’s when everything began to make sense. I realized I had internalized a lot of the dysfunction and had to re-learn how to treat myself with compassion. Through years of therapy and working the recovery model, I learned how to re-parent myself and begin healing the trauma I carried from childhood. It wasn’t easy, but it allowed me to make better choices—not just for myself, but for my daughters too. I became the kind of parent I always needed, someone who could create a peaceful home and break the cycle of emotional and physical abuse. Now, as a certified peer supporter, I help others who were also raised in chaotic environments understand their patterns, set boundaries, and begin to heal. If you’ve ever felt alone or ashamed of where you come from, I’m here to walk through it with you.

I'm not a therapist. I'm not "healed." I'm someone in the trenches who shows up to work anyway and has learned what actually works versus what sounds good in theory. If you work in libraries, social work, nonprofits, education, or any helping profession while dealing with your own mental health struggles, trauma, or recovery—I get it. The imposter syndrome. The triggers at work. The exhaustion of performing "fine." The guilt about boundaries. I'm here for real talk, practical strategies, and validation that you're not too broken to do this work.

Growing up around addiction, poverty, and instability, I learned early on to cope by escaping my emotions however I could. As a teen and young adult, I turned to drugs and alcohol to numb myself, never thinking about the consequences. Even after surviving a house raid, an arrest, and a stay in a mental hospital, it took me years to confront the hold substances had on my life. Meanwhile, I found myself trapped in abusive relationships that mirrored the dysfunction I had grown up with. Through therapy, support groups, and a lot of inner child work, I slowly started to build a life based on self-respect rather than survival. I am now over two years sober from alcohol and several years free from drug use, continuing my healing journey with a focus on compassion and patience. I know how overwhelming it can be to untangle addiction from relationship trauma, and I want to be a steady, understanding presence for anyone facing that path today.

TRIGGER WARNING!!! My life has been rife with challenges. I was born into an abusive marriage and conceived in marital rape. I went on to be abused and neglected by both my parents in different ways, including being raped by my father from ages 8-10. I was neglected and physically abused by my mother, who attempted to strangle me when I was 14. That's when I went onto the streets. I was homeless from right after my 15th birthday until I was 17. In that period, I was groomed and taken in, then sexually trafficked, by people I trusted. I escaped at age 17 and went into group homes to help me get on my feet. I was emancipated and got my first place at 17. I went on to be involved in multiple abusive marriages. Now in my mid forties, I have benefited from perspective, solitude, and therapy tremendously. I have learned how to listen to my gut, avoid entanglement with toxic relationships, and find peace and healing and personal fulfillment. I have learned to assert my boundaries.

My life has been rife with challenges. I was born into an abusive marriage and conceived in marital rape. I went on to be abused and neglected by both my parents in different ways. I was homeless from right after my 15th birthday until I was 17. In that period, I was groomed and taken in, then sexually trafficked, by people I trusted. I escaped at age 17 and went into group homes to help me get on my feet. I was emancipated and got my first place at 17. I went on to be involved in multiple abusive marriages./relationships. Now in my mid forties, I have benefited from perspective, solitude, and therapy tremendously. I have learned how to listen to my gut, avoid entanglement with or leave toxic relationships, and find peace, healing and personal fulfillment. I have learned to assert and maintain firm, healthy boundaries. Today I thrive!

Hi, I’m Lola—a Life Coach, mom of three, and survivor of unhealthy relationships. I rebuilt my life through boundaries, self-love, and now I hold a safe, non-judgmental space for others ready to heal, reclaim their voice, and find peace.

For over 15 years, I was in and out of psychiatric hospitals—places that left me with trauma, nightmares, and deep shame. I was restrained, forcibly medicated, silenced, and treated as less than human. Many of the facilities were dirty, cold, and run by staff who ignored my autonomy and voice. These experiences shattered my trust in the mental health system. But through the pain, I found a fire for advocacy. I became a peer support specialist and started Unlock the Psych Ward Doors, a support group for survivors like me. I still carry the wounds, but I’ve found strength in speaking my truth. I hold space for others to process and heal from the dehumanization of forced treatment. I offer a safe space free of judgment, where pain is honored and voices are heard. I know what it’s like to feel voiceless—and I’m here to listen, believe, and walk beside anyone ready to reclaim their power.

I experienced various types of abuse in my childhood—emotional, physical, and sexual. Each experience was incredibly traumatic and left deep, lasting impacts. These experiences have shaped and continue to shape my feelings, choices, and the way I navigate life even today as an adult. There has been immense grief in processing what happened, facing the ways adults failed me, and learning to cultivate self-compassion from nothing. Over time, I’ve worked to build a sense of safety within myself and a feeling of value that comes from me, for me. I’ve developed insight through years of confronting and dismantling the shame, anger, grief, and hurt my inner child carried—hurt that was never my fault. While the abuse continues to influence certain parts of my life, I’ve learned to accept that impact and treat myself with understanding. I want you to know that what you’re feeling is valid and okay too. Trauma has a profound effect on how our lives unfold afterwards. You are not alone in this.

I see or hear something that displeases me; there’s an immediate surge of energy in my gut. I feel like cursing or striking out. Or I feel like crying and hiding as when I was a child and anger wasn't allowed. Sometimes anger simmers unconsciously below the surface, waiting for a moment to erupt, most often at an inappropriate time bringing guilt or shame. It might translate into passive aggression, a biting comment or icy silence. Sometimes it morphs into something entirely different – anxiety or sadness or fear. Without psychoanalyzing, developing awareness of unrecognized anger can put us in control of it. Anger manifests in many ways. It often masquerades as insomnia and food disorders. Understanding how it manifests, acknowledging its presence, exploring it's origins and recognizing this consciously helps us better navigate it's various forms and respond in ways that are constructive rather than destructive. Giving help with such exploration is the work of a Warmer Expert.

I have experienced many situations that left me living in what I call "crisis mode," including growing up with an abusive parent, losing a parent suddenly as a teenager, marrying a man who became violent and abusive, and later caring for him through seven years of illness until he passed away. I have faced fertility challenges and, after eight years of trying, was finally successful with IVF and had twins, including seven months on bedrest. Tragically, one of my twins became seriously ill at 16 and battled numerous health issues until she passed away at 24 after a year in the ICU. Throughout all of this, I have navigated my own health challenges and am now disabled.

Hello, I’m a 57-year-old who has faced many challenges over the years, including growing up with an abusive parent, losing a parent at a young age, enduring a 15-year marriage to an abusive spouse, navigating infertility and IVF, raising twins, caring for and losing a spouse to terminal illness, and the loss of a 24-year-old child to health issues. I have also faced my own health challenges and become disabled. These experiences, combined with my lifelong work supporting abused and neglected children, women, sex trafficking survivors, foster youth, and grieving parents, have given me a deep understanding of grief, crisis, and resilience. I am here to help you find strength, know you are never alone, and discover ways to survive and thrive even through life’s most difficult moments.

I’m someone who has walked the tough path of recovery, dealing with challenges related to eating disorders (OSFED with anorexic and AFRID tendencies), addiction (including cocaine, Xanax, and marijuana), and mental health struggles like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD. I’ve spent the last two years in recovery, learning how to build a healthier relationship with myself and others. Along the way, I also navigated emotional and verbal abuse, which made my journey even more complex. My goal now is to help others who are facing similar battles, whether it's with eating disorders, addiction, or difficult relationships. I’m here to offer support, share my story, and remind you that recovery is possible—even when it feels impossible.

For much of my life, I faced challenges that tested my emotional resilience and sense of self. Through my own healing journey, I learned the value of slowing down, reflecting, and developing healthy coping tools. Over time, I became the friend and support system others could turn to during their hardest moments. My experiences have taught me the importance of listening with compassion, respecting each person’s unique story, and creating a safe space where people feel truly seen. Now, I want to share that same steady presence to help others navigate change, rebuild confidence, and discover their own inner strength.

Healing dosent come all at once , it comes in fragments : naming what happened , feeling what I'd buried and slowly learning that safety could be rebuilt. Being understood became a space where I could be real without being reduced . Now I offer that same space to others , where survival isn't the end of the story, and healing doesn't have to be linear.

I was in a toxic relationship for 14 long years where poor communication and emotional abuse became a daily struggle. I often found myself trapped in codependence, unable to see the damage until it was almost too late. Gradually, I learned that I deserved better and began the hard work of reclaiming my self-worth. Therapy, group meetings, and self-help books opened my eyes to a life beyond constant hurt. I made the brave decision to move across the country, leaving behind the patterns that held me captive. Each step forward was a mix of pain and growth, and the scars of manipulation took time to heal. At the same time, I navigated other major life challenges, including being an organ transplant recipient and caring for my aging parents. Today, I share my journey to help others find the strength to break free from toxic cycles. I want to offer practical advice, empathy, and a reminder that healing is possible.

I was my dad's caregiver for 7 years. He had multiple health conditions and double bypass surgery. I juggled work life balance, and also my own health. I lost my dad earlier this year and It's a very hard thing to go through. I lost my mom to cancer in 2016, and also helped care for her. We all grieve in our own ways, I am here to listen and talk you through that grief and immense sorrow.

I lost my husband to a fentanyl overdose on July 27th, 2024. I thought my life was over, but I was able to find myself again and find new purpose in life. Talk to me about your grief & loss! 🤍

When I was growing up, I had a very challenging relationship with my parents, particularly my mother. Both of my parents were addicted and my mother suffered from severe mental illness. We were removed from her care due to abuse and neglect several times, but were always placed back in her care. Talk to me about your childhood traumas and what we can do to unpack it! 🤍

My journey to healing from years of domestic violence has been a long, winding road. When I was in my early 20s, I was in a very volatile relationship with a man who abused me in every way imaginable. But I was able to find a way out and go on a healing journey and relearn what love truly is. Let's talk about where you're at in your healing journey and any other helpful ways to cope!