Hypnotherapy and Children
Kids can struggle with a wide range of issues. from school, exams or family. Relaxation, stress, bedwetting, anxiety, low confidence or self esteem, even (on occasion) smoking or weight loss.
Although it was not widely used until the 1970s, hypnosis of children was first described in 1779 by Anton Mesmer, who claimed to have used hypnotherapy to treat a child with visual problems. Most children and young people are good hypnotic subjects because their they use their imaginations so powerfully on a daily basis. If a child is playing with an imaginary friend, for example, they see that friend and respond to them as if they were real.
Hypnotherapy aims to help your child use these same imaginative skills to find and put in place new ways of coping with problem situations such as bedwetting, stress, anxiety, phobias etc.
It can be used to teach your child relaxation to help them through the more stressful times in their lives.
Hypnosis has been used with quite young children, but I work only with older children and teenagers. Under 16s will only be treated with the approval and written consent of a parent or guardian.
Hypnotherapy for Children and Teenagers
Exactly like any therapy, your child has to be an active participant in order for their hypnotherapy to work. The fact that you see a problem or want them to change is not enough. But if your child is open to the idea of solving his or her problem, then hypnotherapy may be exactly what you are both looking for.
There are some specific considerations when working with young people, especially around safety and confidentiality. Because of this, I would always book a free information session as a first step.
You can choose whether to attend this with or without your child. Booking an information session does not commit you to going ahead with hypnotherapy. It does offer a chance for your family find out more about hypnosis, and for us decide if we can usefully work together.
If you do decide to go ahead with therapy, the number of sessions required varies depending on the nature and history of the problem, the age of the child, and many other factors. But it's usually around four to six.
If you or your child has concerns about hypnotherapy you are welcome to contact me. Or you could use a use a CD first, to allow your child to experience relaxation techniques in the security of their own home.