Things you and your child should know about hypnotherapy
- Hypnotherapy with a responsible and well-trained therapist is completely safe; there are no negative side effects.
- Hypnosis cannot make your child do anything against their will.
- The sessions may be one-on-one with the child, or together with the parent(s)/caretaker(s). This depends on the child’s decision, age, and maturity.
- I might also meet with a parent/caregiver alone to discuss ways to support your child outside of therapy sessions.
- Your child can learn self-hypnosis with me to develop self-efficacy at home independently.
- Sometimes your child will not want to talk about the experience, which should be respected.
- Each session lasts 60 minutes.
Three helpful criteria for positive change when working with children and teens
Promoting Focused Attention
During normal waking consciousness, our focus is constantly shifting. This is true for all of us: younger children, teens, as well as adults. In a hypnotherapy session I will support your child to shift their attention to maintain a sharper focus. This can be accomplished by inviting the child to focus on my voice, body sensations, or on the guided imagery that I use during therapeutic work.
Following Beneficial Suggestions
The main objective of my clients is to change behaviors and emotional states that have become problematic. Following basic instructions is essential for a successful hypnotherapy session.
Suggestions can be thought of as invitations. They are generally short and easy to understand. “Sooner or later, you can close your eyes and begin to relax, step by step”, “Now please allow yourself to focus on your breath”, or “Imagine yourself entering a place where you feel at ease and relaxed”. These are examples of beneficial suggestions I might use.
Bringing Willingness to Play
In general, children are great candidates for hypnosis. Trance is a natural mental state that they often enter when they are playing imaginary games or daydream. A child’s mind is full of creativity and imagination, both of which are tools that hypnosis uses. A variety of techniques might be used during the sessions, including guided visualization, making up stories together, and role-playing. Of course, humour also has its place in therapy.
In an atmosphere of novelty, creativity, respect, and trust, children are more easily able to (re-)discover their innate strengths and resources to help create the changes they want.
These criteria are only indicators that hypnosis treatment may have the potential for positive results. Children and teens who don’t meet these and/or other criteria may still benefit from hypnosis. Ultimately, the decision to undergo hypnotherapy depends on the consensus of the child, caregiver, and therapist.
What are the reactions of children and teens to hypnotherapy?
- They love it because it uses their own power.
- They describe it as fun, fascinating, and somehow magical.
- They respond with enjoyment, pride, and sometimes with a shrug of “no big deal”.
- They find it cool, interesting, and weird in a positive, good way.
- They report enjoying hypnotherapy for the opportunity to take a break from stress.
- They like the relaxation, the vivid imagery, and the sense of control or the relief of no-control.
