Treating children and teenagers’ problems
with hypnotherapy

Children have problems too and from the age of about 7 they can benefit from one or two sessions of hypnotherapy. Hypnosis is just another word for relaxation really. It’s a calm, safe, comfortable feeling and a very natural state; one that each us goes in and out of every day of our lives without even realising. Remember when you were younger and used to gaze out of the classroom window daydreaming, this is a light state of hypnosis. Or you’re driving a familiar route (to work perhaps) and zone out of certain parts of the journey, instead thinking about your next holiday. Your mind can effectively split in two, your conscious mind can be listening to the radio but your subconscious (where the habit of driving has been learned) performs the action of driving.

A safe and effective technique (called Blowaway) has been designed especially for younger clients, although I do sometimes use it with adults too as part of their treatment. The Blowaway technique is used when the child is enjoying light relaxation; at ease and a little day-dreamy. Children are excellent candidates for hypnosis as often they are open minded and have vivid imaginations. They are used to using their imagination on a daily basis (in things such as role play) and they have no preconceptions of what it is that I do.

Positive suggestions will also be incorporated to help with general feelings of wellbeing plus for the specific issue consulted for. Unlike adults, children can be quite fidgety during a session, even opening their eyes occasionally and this is perfectly normal. It can be their way of reassuring themselves and doesn’t mean the therapeutic benefit of the session is lost. A parent is present throughout the session and I start off by getting to know their child by asking about school life, their hobbies etc. Some children are very shy but I’ve had parents of even the shyest child say they were surprised how open their child was with me. I have my own young children so hopefully kids feel they can talk to me quite easily. Click here for more information on suggestion therapy.

• Increased confidence
• Higher self esteem
• Reduces anxiety/stress
• Help dissolve negative emotions
• Releases bottled up emotions