This Happened to Me
How I Ran Away From My Family, Part 1
And discovered how to heal with my inner child
May is Mental Health Awareness month and I wanted to share some details about the beginning of my healing journey.
Back in the ’80s, I was in and out of therapy. I was stuck in a horrible place and could not find my way forward. Then I discovered a wonderful author and lecturer named John Bradshaw.
Bradshaw’s key topics focused on the dysfunctional family. He explained how the toxic ways of his family created his own codependency and shame.
John also talked about the wounded inner child and some ways to heal from an abusive childhood. At the time, many people did not believe in the concept of the wounded inner child.
People criticized Bradshaw. They did not believe John had the right to teach because he did not have the required credentials. Bradshaw was a recovered alcoholic but he did not have a college degree.
In an interview with Oprah, Bradshaw’s response was quite simple. “The pain that I experienced in my life and the abuse that I lived through are my credentials.”
I agree with John. There is great value in real-life experience.
