"There are at least 14 core issues in the recovery of our Child Within that we can work through... These core issues are: control, trust, feelings, being over responsible, neglecting our own needs, all-or-none thinking and behaving, high tolerance for inappropriate behavior, and low self-esteem. To these I have added being real, grieving our ungrieved losses, fear of abandonment, difficulty of resolving conflict, and difficulty giving and receiving love.

...Core issues do not present themselves as an "issue." Rather, they present themselves at first as problems in everyday life. However, with persistent considering and describing how we feel it will generally become clear which issue or issues are involved. This knowledge will be helpful in gradually getting free of our confusion, discontent, and unconscious negative life patterns (repetition compulsions)."