Father’s Day and the Weight of Inner Child Wounds: You’re Not Alone
For many people, Father’s Day is not a celebration.
It’s not breakfast in bed, hugs from little ones, or reminiscing over warm memories.
It’s a day that quietly aches. That stings. That reminds us of the absence, the pain, or the complexity of a father figure who may have been hurtful, unavailable, emotionally distant — or not there at all.
You’re not being dramatic.
You’re not being over-sensitive.
And you are certainly not alone.
The Hidden Grief Behind the Smiles
Shops fill up with cards saying “Best Dad Ever.”
Social media floods with posts about incredible dads and treasured childhood memories.
And if this doesn’t match your experience, it can leave you feeling like something’s wrong with you.
Maybe you…
Never had a relationship with your father.
Felt unseen, unprotected, or even harmed by him.
Grew up walking on eggshells around his anger or silence.
Are grieving the father you wish you had.
Are trying to show up as a parent yourself, but are exhausted and overwhelmed by everything Father’s Day stirs up.
Whatever your story is — I see you.
You might feel a mixture of sadness, envy, shame, anger, fear… even numbness.
Those feelings are not wrong.
They’re not too much.
They’re the echoes of your inner child — the part of you that never got to feel safe, cherished, or validated by a parent.
And days like this can bring all that flooding to the surface.
How Trauma Shows Up in Adulthood
Inner child wounds don’t just disappear because we’ve grown up.
They show up in how we relate to others.
In the shame we feel for not being “enough.”
In the way we struggle to trust or to set boundaries.
In the burnout from constantly trying to keep it all together.
Maybe today, you feel like curling up and hiding from the world.
Maybe you’re trying to hold it together for your kids, your partner, your job — when inside, you feel broken or enraged or completely alone.
This kind of emotional pain is real.
And you don’t have to carry it on your own.
This Is Where Therapy Comes In
I offer a safe, compassionate, down-to-earth space where you can:
Gently explore the pain you’ve been carrying
Connect with and begin to heal your inner child
Understand your triggers and patterns in relationships
Release shame and start rebuilding self-worth
Learn to soothe your nervous system and lessen anxiety, anger, or burnout
Discover how to be more present — for yourself and for those you love
You don’t need to pretend it’s all okay.
You don’t need to know where to begin.
You just need to show up as you are — and we’ll go at your pace.
I know how painful it can be to feel like you’re carrying something no one else understands.
And I also know the power of being truly seen by someone who gets it.
You’re not broken. You’ve been wounded.
And wounds can heal — with the right care, time, and connection.
If this resonates, I invite you to get in touch.
I offer a free, no-obligation introductory video call so we can meet each other, and you can see if I feel like the right fit for you.
📧 louisemalyancounselling@gmail.com
🌐 www.wildfirecounsellingtherapy.co.uk
Take gentle care of yourself today.
Even if it’s just putting both feet on the floor and breathing.
You matter — even if it doesn’t always feel that way.
You are allowed to just exist and still be worthy.
