Reparenting the Inner Child: The New Science of Our Oldest Wounds and How to Heal Them

by Dr. Nicole LePera

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Do the Work and How to Be the Love You Seek comes a groundbreaking guide to healing our childhood wounds and rediscovering our full potential

As adults, we often fall into patterns that feel irrational or out of character—shutting down, lashing out, people-pleasing, or self-sabotaging. Beneath those reactions lies our inner child, a younger part of us still trying to get its needs met the only way it knows how.

We all carry the imprint of our earliest years. Childhood is brief, yet its impact is lifelong. Some parts of us were met with love while other parts were met with silence, criticism, or disapproval. To survive, we learned to adapt—learning to over perform, to hide, or stay small. Most of us made it through with a mix of love and lack. And many of us still protect the parts of ourselves that once felt unsafe.

While we can’t change what happened, we can change how it lives within us and impacts our lives today. Reparenting the Inner Child offers a clear, compassionate path to self-integration, combining practical exercises, somatic tools, and guided reflections to help us create the safety, love, and boundaries we've always needed. Through her holistic framework that models individual development, Dr. LePera explains how we can cultivate the emotional maturity and regulation to respond calmly instead of reacting, to embrace desire instead of shame, and to question the stories we've long believed about who we have to be.

Enlightening, empowering, and clarifying, Reparenting the Inner Child is a book that will stand the test of time as a comprehensive guide for personal development and healing, and a resource that will forever change the way we understand ourselves.

Genres: Self Help, Psychology, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Health

384 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 24, 2026

Reviews

[Tamara Mansfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received the audiobook from NetGalley as an ALC. I was barely halfway when I KNEW I had to buy this book. So much information. So validating. She even explores the link between childhood trauma and MCAS and autoimmune diseases. Me! All meeee! Needless to say I found the book validating and I learned a lot. I’m going to do the exercises once I get the physical copy! 5 stars!!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy! The narrator also did a great job.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Reparenting the Inner Child as an audiobook overall. Nicole LePera’s voice is warm and engaging, and her delivery makes the material feel accessible and compassionate — which is especially important given the emotional depth of the topic. The pacing is steady and thoughtful, allowing time to reflect on the concepts without feeling rushed. I also appreciated the clear pronunciation and consistent tone throughout, which made it easy to stay focused even during the longer sections.

Overall, the production quality is solid, and this audiobook made a complex topic feel approachable. I’m giving it four stars because while the narration is strong and comforting, a bit more vocal dynamism could have made the listening experience even better.

[Chelsea Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reparenting the Inner Child by Dr. Nicole LePera (The Holistic Psychologist) is a life-altering guide for anyone ready to break free from cycles of self-sabotage and emotional reactivity. While her previous work introduces the foundations of self-healing, this book dives deep into the "how" of healing our most vulnerable, younger selves.

Here is why this book is a must-read:
Actionable Roadmap: Unlike many theory-heavy psychology books, Dr. LePera provides practical tools, including somatic exercises, journal prompts, and guided reflections to move you from awareness to actual transformation.

The Four Pillars of Reparenting: She masterfully breaks down the healing process into four essential areas: Loving Discipline, Self-Care, Joy, and Emotional Regulation.

Holistic Approach: The book emphasizes that healing isn't just in the mind; it honors the body's innate wisdom and focuses on regulating the nervous system to create a genuine sense of safety.

Empowerment Over Blame: While it acknowledges childhood wounds, the core message is one of radical self-accountability. It empowers you to become the "wise, loving parent" you always needed, allowing you to rewrite your future instead of being stuck in the past.

This book is a quiet companion and a "masterclass" on why you are the way you are. It doesn't just explain your pain; it gives you the permission and the plan to finally heal at the root.

[Marylovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of *Reparenting the Inner Child: The New Science of Our Oldest Wounds and How to Heal Them*
by Nicole LePera
Narrated by Courtney Patterson & Nicole LePera
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5⭐️)

This book is packed with valuable information, delivered in a way that kept me engaged, interested, and motivated throughout. While many of the concepts themselves aren’t entirely new, they are organized and presented in a way that makes consistent practice feel accessible and achievable.

Nicole LePera breaks down complex emotional and psychological patterns into practical, understandable steps, making this a powerful resource for anyone interested in personal growth and healing.

I cannot recommend this book enough — I believe it will stand alongside some of the top titles in the psychological self-help genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Dr. LePera helps readers understand more about the science beyond specific healing practices, including reparenting our inner child(ren). Using parts language, she discusses the ways in which many of us become wounded as children, the core beliefs that formed due to the wounding, and why we react so strongly sometimes.

Various exercises are provided to help readers gently interact with their inner child(ren) and heal. The exercises are different in each chapter.

This is a book that should be read slowly and re-read as needed. As one does deeper healing work, the exercises will likely work on different levels than before. I don't see these as one-and-done. They are practices to use along the healing journey.

[Cassidy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anytime Dr. Nicole LePera writes a book. I am going to read it. When I saw the title of this one was Reparenting the Inner Child, I felt so seen. This is exactly the book I've been waiting for. Nicole gives such careful, knowledgeable and well researched advice because she has lived it, studied it and practices it in her own life, and that makes it even more meaningful. Even if you don't believe that your inner child is wounded I would highly recommend reading this book carefully and slowly because chances are you absolutely do have something within you that could be healed from the exercises and insights given in this book. She is a life changer and a healer.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of this book and exchange for my honest review.

[Andi_loves_2_read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr Nicole LePera is a psychologist who uses a holistic approach to help the mind and body heal from traumas. I have read and benefited from her previous books and very much looked forward to this one! Reparenting the Inner Child focuses on identifying wounds that have carried over from childhood, providing practical exercises at the end of chapters that will help you understand and heal.
I learned so much from this book - life changing things that will help me heal parts of myself and better my relationships with others. I especially liked that not only does this book help me understand myself better, it helps me understand my parents and other loved ones better too - which helps to heal wounds that have been festering.
Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Kirstyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

So Dr. LePera’s books have been some of my favorites the past few years. Her relatable upbringing, style, and how she shares information from a scientific lens just clicks with me. The themes and subjects of this book spoke to me at a time I definitely needed it (thank you, universe). I’m not one that tends to journal consistently, but the prompts provided throughout this book gave plenty of opportunity to just sit and think and reflect. Easily one of my favorite and most useful self-help books I’ve read in a while.

[SubconsciousShelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and Grounding

I really enjoyed this audiobook and found it genuinely helpful. Nicole LePera explains inner‑child work in a clear, compassionate way that feels both validating and practical. The audio format made the reflections and exercises easy to absorb, and I appreciated how gentle yet empowering her guidance felt. A thoughtful, accessible resource for anyone wanting to understand themselves more deeply. Five stars.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Helen Wu ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deserves to be taken seriously as a reflection tool, not just another self help read. Reparenting the Inner Child is structured, thoughtful, and intentionally uncomfortable in the way real growth often is. I especially appreciated the exercises in every chapter, which gently but firmly guide you through your own history and patterns rather than letting you stay in theory. Working through them forced me to slow down and sit with parts of my past I usually rush past, and while that was not easy, it was absolutely worthwhile. I even uploaded my reflection notes into ChatGPT afterward to gain additional analysis and perspective, which deepened the experience even more. This is the kind of book you engage with, not skim. Highly recommend for anyone willing to do the work.

Thank you NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the ARC!

[Kelly Pramberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful resource that goes deeper than what I’ve been getting from weekly therapy. I enjoyed the personal experiences mixed with information and helpful steps to implement.