My Friends Inside

Elliott's crew of inner protectors take their job VERY seriously, and they're ready to take over when he's overwhelmed with big emotions. Like Rhino, who takes over when Elliott feels insignificant. And Chimp, whose wacky stunts get a laugh when Elliott feels left out. Sometimes they get him in trouble. Luckily, he's learning brand new skills, like noticing what sets them off, how he can respond, and even some ideas to try next time around.

Inspired by Dr. Richard C. Schwartz's Internal Family Systems therapy, My Friends Inside is a tender exploration of the inner voices that guide a child's behavior and the loving guidance they might need to hear. Elliott models how kids can reflect on their choices with compassion and repair their mistakes with courage.

This little book is for kids who aren't always sure why they keep doing the things they regret. It is also for grownups curious about an approach to challenging behavior that may lead to knowing a child- and themselves- more deeply, building emotional regulation skills, and helping kids grow up with less shame.