Have you ever reacted to something and thought, “Why did that bother me so much?” Or found yourself stuck in the same kinds of relationships, patterns, or fears, no matter how hard you try to change?
However, the truth is, many of us are not living from our authentic selves. Instead, we are living from emotional wounds formed in childhood — experiences that shaped our view of the world, our sense of worth, and even our physical posture or tone of voice.
There are five core emotional wounds that nearly every human carries to some degree. Hence, these wounds — and the protective masks we develop to hide them — determine much of how we behave, connect, and suffer in silence.
But here’s the good news:
When we become aware of these wounds, we can begin to heal them. And in doing so, we unlock the door to self-love, emotional freedom, and a return to our most natural state — our true self.
Let’s take a deeper look at these five emotional wounds, how they manifest, and how you can begin the journey of healing.
1. Rejection Wound
- How it’s Formed: It often begins in early childhood, sometimes even in the womb, when the child perceives they are not wanted. This can stem from a parent’s emotional distance, disappointment in the child’s gender, or mental/emotional unavailability.
- Primary Fear: Being rejected, not existing, being worthless.
- Mask: The Withdrawer
- Avoids relationships or deep emotional involvement to protect against possible rejection.
- Withdraws from conflict, avoids attention, and may appear “invisible.”
- Often very intelligent and spiritual, but disconnected from the physical body and practical life.
- Typical Traits:
- Low self-worth.
- Fear of intimacy.
- Difficulty setting boundaries.
- May develop a thin or contracted body (symbolic of trying to disappear).
2. Abandonment Wound
- How it’s Formed: This wound arises when a child feels emotionally or physically abandoned, typically by the opposite-sex parent. It could be due to divorce, neglect, or even emotional unavailability.
- Primary Fear: Loneliness, emotional starvation, being left behind.
- Mask: The Dependent
- Seeks constant reassurance and connection.
- Has a deep fear of being alone and may form co-dependent relationships.
- Often dramatic and expressive, as a way to get attention or care.
- Typical Traits:
- Clinginess, neediness.
- Anxiety when alone.
- Manipulative behaviour to keep people close.
- The body may be long and weak-looking, often lacking muscle tone (symbolising lack of emotional “support”).
3. Humiliation Wound
- How it’s Formed: Arises when a child feels shamed or judged — often for their needs, desires, or bodily functions. It may come from controlling or overly critical parents who suppress the child’s natural instincts.
- Primary Fear: Shame, embarrassment, being “bad.”
- Mask: The Masochist
- Takes on too much responsibility, denies their own needs to avoid being judged.
- Feels guilty for wanting pleasure or attention.
- Often self-sabotages, seeks punishment unconsciously.
- Typical Traits:
- Over-apologising, lack of self-care.
- Tends to serve others at their own expense.
- The body tends to be round, overweight, or slouched — reflecting a desire to hide or shrink.
- Finds it hard to say “no.”
4. Betrayal (Treason) Wound
- How it’s Formed: Occurs when a child feels betrayed by a trusted adult (usually of the opposite sex). This often involves broken promises, inconsistencies in trust, or feeling used or manipulated.
- Primary Fear: Being deceived or manipulated.
- Mask: The Controller
- Tries to take control of people or situations to avoid feeling powerless again.
- Strong, assertive, often charismatic, but struggles with trust.
- Seeks to prove their reliability and strength but often doubts others.
- Typical Traits:
- Impatience, dominance, and anger when others don’t follow through.
- Strong opinions, rigid beliefs.
- Physically, may have a strong, muscular upper body — symbolic of “carrying the weight” of life and staying in control.
5. Injustice Wound
- How it’s Formed: Develops in environments where the child is treated with coldness, harsh rules, or excessive discipline — often by the same-sex parent. It can also result from overly high expectations or constant criticism.
- Primary Fear: Being treated unfairly or misunderstood.
- Mask: The Rigid
- Highly perfectionistic and idealistic.
- Suppresses emotions and values logic over feelings.
- Appears strong and independent, but has difficulty expressing vulnerability.
- Typical Traits:
- Perfectionism, harsh self-judgment.
- Difficulty asking for help or showing emotion.
- Often has a stiff posture or a tense body, reflecting internal rigidity.
- May develop autoimmune issues, reflecting the body “attacking itself.”
🧠 Why This Matters
However, understanding your wounds and masks is the first step toward emotional freedom. These unconscious patterns shape your:
- Relationships
- Self-esteem
- Career choices
- Communication style
- Health and body image
Healing means becoming conscious of these patterns, peeling back the masks, and reconnecting with your inner child — the part of you that is creative, authentic, spontaneous, and whole.
🌱 Ready to Heal? Start With Your Inner Child
Your healing journey begins when you choose to meet yourself with compassion, curiosity, and courage. You are not broken — you are simply carrying wounds that want to be acknowledged, felt, and released.
And I’d love to support you in that journey.
✨ Join My Inner Child Healing Workshop – August 16th
💖 In this powerful workshop, we’ll gently explore your emotional wounds, understand the masks you’ve worn, and begin the deep work of reconnecting with your inner child — the key to emotional freedom and authentic self-love.
✔️ What to Expect:
- Understanding the concept of the Inner Child
- Interesting exercises to help you reconnect with your true self
- Journaling exercises
- Group sharing in a safe space (only if you want it)
- Practical tools to start healing your core wounds
- A supportive community
🗓 Date: August 16th
💶 Investment: Only 85 Euros
👥 Spots Are Limited – to ensure intimacy and personal support
🔗 Register Here: https://www.psychotherapykuchenna.com/product/healing-your-inner-child-workshop-limerick/
Come home to yourself. Your inner child is waiting.