John Bradshaw
Pioneer of inner child healing and bestselling author on emotional recovery
John Bradshaw was an influential American educator, counselor, author, and speaker best known for popularizing the concepts of the "wounded inner child" and the dysfunctional family. A key figure in the self-help movement, his work blended psychology, theology, and recovery principles to help millions better understand trauma, addiction, and emotional healing. His bestselling books, including Homecoming and Healing the Shame That Binds You, became cornerstones of personal development literature. Bradshaw's PBS television series brought his insights to a national audience, and he played a significant role in shaping modern views on family systems and codependency.
- Education
Montessori
- Notes
John Bradshaw attended a Montessori school as a child, which shaped his later focus on emotional intelligence and developmental psychology.
- Notable Achievements
- Popularized the concept of the “wounded inner child” and the dysfunctional family
- Author of six books, including Homecoming, a New York Times #1 bestseller
- Hosted several nationally syndicated PBS television programs on emotional healing
- Served as national director of the John Bradshaw Center for addiction recovery
- Influential voice in the self-help and emotional recovery movements of the 1980s and 1990s
- Links