Negative self-talk can silently erode a child’s confidence, self-worth, and joy. Phrases like “I’m not good enough,” “I always mess up,” or “Nobody likes me” might sound harmless at first—but over time, they shape a child’s inner narrative and influence how they view themselves and the world around them.

Caroline Goldsmith, Clinical Psychologist at ATC Ireland, is deeply committed to helping children shift these damaging inner voices into empowering, compassionate self-talk. Drawing from her decades of experience and a wealth of psychological research, Caroline works closely with children, parents, and educators to dismantle the roots of negative thinking and rebuild a healthier, more confident mindset.

The Power of a Child’s Inner Voice

Children begin developing internal self-talk patterns early—often influenced by how adults speak to them, how they interpret their experiences, and how their emotional needs are met. Left unchecked, negative self-talk can contribute to:

• Anxiety and low mood


• Avoidance of challenges


• Perfectionism and fear of failure


• Social withdrawal or aggression


• Poor academic or personal motivation

Caroline Goldsmith explains that while these patterns can seem deeply ingrained, they are highly responsive to compassionate intervention and guidance.

Identifying the Origins of Negative Beliefs

In her sessions, Caroline Goldsmith helps children explore where their critical self-talk comes from. Often, it stems from:

• Overheard criticisms


• Past mistakes or failures


• Unmet emotional needs


• Comparison to peers or siblings


• High-conflict environments

She gently guides children to uncover these beliefs through creative therapies—like storytelling, drawing, and role-play—where they can safely express their thoughts and feelings without shame or fear.

Teaching Children to Challenge and Reframe Thoughts

Caroline Goldsmith uses evidence-based techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) to help children recognize when their inner voice is being unfair, unkind, or untrue. Then she teaches them how to:

• Ask: “Would I say this to a friend?”


• Replace criticism with curiosity (“What can I learn?”)


• Use affirmations that feel real and grounded


• Practice gratitude and strength-spotting


• Build emotional literacy to name and express their feelings safely

Over time, children learn that they are not their thoughts—and that they have the power to change how they speak to themselves.

The Role of Parents in Rewriting the Inner Script

Caroline works closely with parents to model positive, emotionally validating language at home. She encourages caregivers to:

• Praise effort and kindness, not just results


• Avoid labels (“You’re lazy,” “You’re too sensitive”)


• Share their own moments of self-doubt and how they manage them


• Encourage open conversations about emotions without judgment

When children hear and feel compassion regularly, they begin to internalize it—and speak to themselves in the same tone.

Lasting Change Through Self-Kindness

Changing inner dialogue isn’t about ignoring hard feelings—it’s about responding to them with kindness, perspective, and hope.
Through her dedicated work, Caroline Goldsmith is giving children the tools to quiet their inner critic and grow a voice of encouragement, courage, and self-respect.