The Inner Child: Aggression, Tantrums and Trauma

February 15, 2022
Hosted by Dr. Gary Bell

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Episode Description

Destructive behavior takes various forms: from subtle self-sabotage and self-defeating patterns to passive hostility to severe self-destructive symptoms, violent aggression and, sometimes, evil deeds. Commonly, destructive behavior in adults bears the impetuous, impulsive quality of childish petulance or narcissistic temper tantrums. Or an infantile neediness, dependency, and dread of abandonment. Or an irresponsibility and angry refusal to be an adult: the "Peter Pan syndrome," or what Jungians refer to as a puer or puella complex. The archetypal Jungian notion of the puer aeternus (male) or (female) puella aeterna--the eternal child--provides the basis for what has come in pop psychology and self-help movements (see, for example, the writings of Dr. Eric Berne, Dr. Alice Miller, or John Bradshaw) to be known as the "inner child." What exactly is this so-called inner child? Does it truly exist? And why should we care? To begin with, the inner child is real. Not literally. Nor physically. But figuratively, metaphorically real. It is--like complexes in general--a psychological or phenomenological reality, and an extraordinarily powerful one at that. Indeed, most mental disorders and destructive behavior patterns are, as Freud first intimated, more or less related to this unconscious part of ourselves. We were all once children, and still have that child dwelling within us. But most adults are quite unaware of this. And this lack of conscious relatedness to our own inner child is precisely where so many behavioral, emotional and relationship difficulties stem from. Tune in and learn about this incredible experience all of us have!

Dr. Gary Bell's Absurd Psychology

Tuesday at 11 AM Pacific Time on VoiceAmerica Empowerment Channel

Not for the faint of heart or sensitive spirit, Dr. Gary Bell's Absurd Psychology is about helping our lives in the insane world we exist today. It is a sarcastic, smart and witty view of the lives we cope with, including straight answers, real information and new perspectives to bring LIFE back to our existence. Dr. Bell brings deep insight, common sense and weaves general knowledge of how the brain is operating under various circumstances. Dr. Bell challenges us all to OWN our lives. How do we become change in an ever changing world? If anything, you might sound smarter to your friends. Everyone is an armchair therapist, but now you will know enough to be dangerous. No whining or caterwauling allowed! This is a search for essence, passion and meaning as we exist surrounded by mediocrity, insecurity and insignificance. Take your medication and listen. You might learn something.

Dr. Gary Bell

Dr. Gary E. Bell, Ed.D, L.M.F.T. has a private counseling psychology practice in Corona, California where he works with people of all ages and life situations. He has been licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California since 2004. Additionally, Dr. Bell teaches at various cities and academies to police, fire, and city employees regarding psychology, crisis work and motivation. He has conducted over 15,000 hours of therapy and crisis work. Dr. Bell is also a certified Mediator including his work for the Family Courts. He responds to Police, Fire and Community crisis intervention 24/7 on-call (i.e., suicide, fire, bank robberies, shootings, major traumatic events, etc.) as a Deputy of Psychology with the Counseling Team International. He is on-call for national and international crisis (i.e. flooding, terrorism, major catastrophes, cruise ship disasters, etc.). Dr. Bell is a CAMFT Certified Supervisor and contributes to Women’s First magazine for the Marriage S.O.S. section. He works quickly and efficiently to effectively help all his clients.

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