Understanding the three primary ego states and how they shape your thoughts, feelings and choices.
We all have different parts within us that emerge in response to different situations, often without us even realizing it. These parts aren't bad, they aren't flaws or mistakes; they’re adaptations. They’re responses to life. And the more we bring awareness to them, the more consciously we can choose who gets to lead. Through the gentle power of hypnotherapy, we guide every part of you back into wholeness, so you can naturally lead from the wisdom of your spirit.
The three primary ego states you’ll meet here are:
1. The Inner Child
2. The Inner Parent/Critic (Wounded Inner Adult)
3. The Inner Adult
Each of these parts has a voice and if we slow down and listen, we can begin to notice which one is making the decisions, reacting to life, or shaping our sense of self.
Transactional Analysis (TA)
Transactional Analysis (TA) is a psychological framework developed by Dr. Eric Berne that helps us understand how we relate to ourselves and others. At its core are the three ego states, the Parent, Adult, and Child, which represent distinct patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. These ego states are not roles we play, but inner parts that shape our communication and relationships. TA allows us to observe which part of us is speaking or acting in a given moment, whether it's a nurturing or critical voice from our Parent, a curious and present Adult, or an emotional or spontaneous Child. By becoming aware of these internal dynamics, we can respond with more clarity, heal past wounds, and cultivate healthier, more conscious interactions.
1. The Inner Child
This is the tender, emotional, and sensitive part of you. The one who still carries unmet needs, past fears, and desires for unconditional love and safety. They often show up when you’re triggered, hurt, or afraid. They may seek validation, feel rejected easily, or become overwhelmed by big emotions.
You’ll know your inner child is running the show if:
- You feel easily hurt, rejected, or abandoned
- You crave reassurance or constant connection
- You struggle with boundaries and people-pleasing
- You find yourself acting out of fear of not being loved
If this feels like the part of you that’s present right now, the tender, wide-eyed, sensitive self, this mini meditation is here to wrap you in warmth and safety. Let it remind your Inner Child they are held, seen, and never alone.
👉 Listen to the 5-minute Inner Child Meditation
2. The Inner Parent/Critic (Wounded Inner Adult)
This is the voice that pushes, criticizes, compares, and demands. It often comes from learned patterns from parents, authority figures, caregivers, or societal pressures. It believes that safety comes from control and perfection. While it means to protect you, it often does so in ways that drain and disconnect you.
You’ll know your inner critic is running the show if:
- You speak to yourself harshly or critically
- You feel like you’re never doing enough
- You struggle to rest or feel guilty for slowing down
- You measure your worth by productivity or success
If this sounds like the voice that’s been running the show lately, the one trying to protect you through control or criticism, this meditation is a soft place to land. It offers safety and compassion to the part that learned to be hard in order to survive.
👉 Listen to the 5-minute Inner Critic Meditation
3. The Inner Adult
This is the wise, rational, grounded, and conscious part of you. The one who can respond instead of react. They are not afraid of emotion, but doesn’t get swallowed by it either. They holds space for your inner child and inner critic with compassion, but leads from presence and clarity.
You’ll know your inner adult is running the show if:
- You make decisions from alignment, not fear
- You set boundaries without guilt
- You can pause and respond calmly to life
- You feel connected to your purpose, not performance
If you feel the steady presence of your Inner Adult, or long to strengthen it, this gentle meditation supports you in returning to center. To truth. To grounded wisdom. Let it guide you into your natural leadership, with kindness and clarity.
👉 Listen to the 5-minute Inner Adult Meditation
No part is wrong. No part needs to be exiled.
This journey isn’t about silencing any part of you, it’s about coming home to yourself. It's about letting your Inner Adult gently take the lead, while your Inner Child feels seen and cherished, and your Inner Critic feels safe enough to soften. Until all that remains is the quiet wisdom of your spirit, guiding you home.
When you learn to identify who’s at the wheel, you become empowered to shift.
And that changes everything.
In Hypnotherapy, we often work with what’s known as “parts” of the self, like the Inner Child, Inner Parent/Critic, and Inner Adult, each holding unique beliefs, emotions, and roles shaped by past experiences. Parts Therapy offers a compassionate way to listen to these inner voices, not to silence or fight them, but to bring them into harmony. Through the relaxed state of hypnosis, we create space for understanding, healing, and integration, allowing each part to return to its natural role, and gently restoring the wholeness that’s always been within you.
Feeling called to go deeper? I’d be honored to hold 1:1 space for you.
Reach out at saraajnahypnosis@gmail.com to book your virtual or in-person session
Sara Ajna, CCHt, CIHt
WealthMind Hypnosis
