It might be time to ‘reparent’ yourself. Here’s how to get started

CNN - Apr 28th, 2025

Reparenting, a therapeutic approach, is gaining attention as a way to heal unresolved childhood trauma by nurturing your inner child with the love and guidance you lacked during your upbringing. Key figures in this movement, like Nicole Johnson, a licensed professional counselor, emphasize the need to address childhood wounds that affect adult relationships and personal well-being. This method involves recognizing harmful patterns from the past and relearning how to treat oneself with compassion and understanding, akin to the support a healthy parent would provide.

The practice of reparenting is significant due to its potential to break cycles of trauma and foster healthier interpersonal dynamics. It encourages self-discovery and emotional growth, allowing individuals to form better relationships with themselves and others. The implications of reparenting extend beyond personal healing, as it can also influence future generations by preventing the transmission of unresolved pain. By working with therapists, people can deepen this process, gaining tools to maintain self-compassion and ultimately achieve greater security and confidence in their lives.

Emotional Well Being Reparenting Childhood Trauma Therapeutic Techniques Nicole Johnson Inner Child Healing

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RATING

7.0

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides an accessible introduction to the concept of reparenting, highlighting its potential benefits for addressing childhood emotional wounds. The use of quotes from licensed professionals lends credibility to the piece, and the clear, engaging language makes it suitable for a general audience. However, the article could benefit from a more balanced perspective by including potential criticisms or limitations of reparenting. Additionally, the lack of empirical evidence supporting the claims made about reparenting's effectiveness is a notable gap. Overall, the article is informative and relevant to current discussions on mental health and personal development, but it would be strengthened by a more comprehensive exploration of the topic.

Accuracy

The article presents reparenting as a therapeutic technique aimed at addressing childhood emotional wounds, which is consistent with the concept as understood in psychological literature. The story accurately describes how reparenting involves treating oneself with compassion and addressing unresolved childhood traumas. However, the article lacks detailed scientific evidence or studies to support the effectiveness of reparenting, which is a significant aspect requiring verification. The claims about reparenting leading to better relationships and personal growth are plausible but need empirical support to enhance precision and truthfulness.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the positive aspects of reparenting, highlighting its benefits and potential for personal growth. It includes perspectives from licensed professionals, which adds credibility. However, the article does not explore potential criticisms or limitations of reparenting as a therapeutic practice. Including viewpoints from skeptics or discussing scenarios where reparenting might not be effective would provide a more balanced perspective.

Clarity

The article is written in clear and accessible language, making complex psychological concepts understandable for a general audience. The structure is logical, with a progression from explaining the concept of reparenting to discussing its application and benefits. The tone is neutral and informative, contributing to easy comprehension. However, more detailed examples or case studies could enhance understanding of how reparenting works in practice.

Source quality

The article cites licensed professionals such as Nicole Johnson and Dr. Avigail Lev, which enhances its credibility. These sources are relevant and authoritative in the context of psychological therapy. However, the article could benefit from referencing additional sources, such as academic studies or peer-reviewed research, to further substantiate its claims and provide a more comprehensive understanding of reparenting.

Transparency

The article provides some context for the concept of reparenting and mentions the credentials of the professionals cited, which aids transparency. However, it lacks a clear explanation of the methodology behind reparenting and does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest. Greater transparency about the basis for the claims made and any underlying assumptions would improve the article's credibility.