How hypnotherapy can support your child or teenager
‘You’re only as happy as your least happy child’
I remember when I heard this saying for the first time and it resonated with me so much. As parents we take on our child’s disappointments, worries and troubles.…no matter what age they are! We all want our children to recognise themselves as we see them….talented, special, unique individuals with so much to offer.
When faced with problems young people can lose their confidence, feel overwhelmed and sometimes even underachieve. Hypnotherapy is a well established and supportive way of helping young people get back on track.
Challenges young people face
School or college and life in general provide challenges for many young people, alongside social anxiety, stresses over exams which can seem all consuming, pressures of social media and the Internet with its unrealistic portrayal of body image and success. These all combine to make a potent cocktail of stress and self doubt. With the impact of growing up to deal with as well, it is no wonder that one in six children aged between five and 16 were identified as having a mental health problem in July 2021 - up from one in nine in 2017. (Statistics taken from Young Minds website.)
How stress affects children and young people
When under stress children and teenagers (like adults) can become stuck in the fight/flight response. This can result in a variety of physical, emotional and behavioural symptoms. An upset stomach, butterflies, feeling sick, nail biting, difficulties getting to sleep, feeling angry, being tearful or not wanting to get involved with usual activities can all be a result of stress. It can become particularly difficult for young people to see the bigger picture beyond the problem that they face.
How I use hypnotherapy and solution focused therapy to support children and young people
When I work with children and young people the main focus is on building their confidence and resilience. There are two parts to a session. The first part involves a conversation where we discuss what the young person has been doing this week to make them happy…..and what they have done that they’re proud of. Through this conversation we can draw out their strengths and what we can build upon going forward. This may be done through talking or sometimes drawing. It is a gentle conversation that does not focus on the problem.
The second part of the session is hypnotherapy. I tailor this to each child so it is an enjoyable experience; whether they choose to lie down and shut their eyes or want to draw or do something creative instead. This gives them an opportunity to really relax and for their brain to absorb beneficial messages, helping them feel more positive.
What are the main reasons parents seek hypnotherapy support for their children?
Although I have seen children and young people for a wide variety of reasons the most common reason is for anxiety. Fears around exams are particularly common. (For more information about this please click here to see my previous blog.) Anxieties may also arise around a change such as leaving home, changing school, sports or drama performances, or may be more general. Some children can react with anger and frustration under stress, lashing out at school or at home, and hypnotherapy can also be helpful in these circumstances.
The first step if you are considering hypnotherapy for your child is to get in touch. I provide a free, no obligation chat so you can find out more. The next step is to have an initial consultation where I find out more about your child and explain how hypnotherapy works. I then suggest the child goes away to have a think and a chat with parents or caregivers about if they want to try sessions. It is really important that it is their decision.
Working with children and young people online via Zoom
I work with children and young people online via Zoom as well as face to face. This works really well and some children are happier being in their own environment. For more information about how hypnotherapy works via Zoom please click here. You can also read more about my work with children and young people here.
If you would like to find out more please send me an email and we can arrange a time for a chat.
Reviews by parents whose children have had hypnotherapy
‘I would highly recommend Elizabeth. My teenage son has had a number of hypnotherapy sessions with Elizabeth for stress and anxiety. He felt instantly at ease with her. The sessions have been extremely helpful and have encouraged him to have a more positive outlook. Elizabeth did some specific work around exam stress which enabled him to approach his exams in a much more calm and positive frame of mind.’
‘Beth helped my daughter significantly with her anxiety and stress towards coping with exams. The calming, friendly approach Beth has enabled her to open up about her worries and Beth helped her to work through these and turn them into a positive. She learnt techniques and methods how to cope when she can feel the anxiety coming on and has coped with her mock exams amazingly which I am so pleased about. I am so thankful to Beth who is so professional, caring, calming and goes beyond to help when someone is in need. I would 100% recommend her services to anyone.’