Hypnotherapy for exam nerves and fears

While the main exams children and teenagers sit are in the summer (with SAT tests, GCSEs, A levels or finals for university students) it can seem that exams are common at any time of year with mocks or tests being a strong part of the curriculum.

One of the most common reasons I see young people is because of the stress they are feeling around exams.

A natural worry

It is natural for anybody sitting a test or examination to have nerves.  That feeling of butterflies in our stomach can spur students on, helping them to focus and give a good performance.  The problem is when the worries take over and a young person starts catastrophising.  They may feel if they don’t do as well as they want their whole future will be impacted; that they won’t get on the course or the job they want.  These worries can affect sleep, eating, confidence and cause real panic with a young person finding it difficult to think of anything else. 

How hypnotherapy can help with exam fears

Some teenagers or young people I have seen for exam fears feel confident and happy in their lives, except for their exam worries.  Other young people may struggle generally with their confidence or anxiety levels.  As hypnotherapy is a short term therapy, young people often start to feel the benefits after only a couple of sessions. 

If a young person is having difficulties beyond their exam worries I suggest a few general sessions.  These help the young person gain more perspective, and I help them focus on the positive things in their life;  hobbies, friends, family and the strengths they show in their day to day living. I also encourage all clients to listen to my relaxation audio between sessions to further reduce stress.

A powerful reframe for exam fears

When I feel a young person is feeling more positive (or if their concerns are purely focused on the exams) I then design a unique reframe session, which I deliver during hypnosis.  Reframes are a powerful way of visualising the future as you want it to be.  It is a technique often used by sports people to focus on their success.  I take lots of detail from the young person about their day when they will sit the exam.  This starts from getting up (even what they have for breakfast) and their journey into school  or college and sitting the exam whilst feeling in control.  I then describe the rest of their day including their feelings of pride afterwards.  A young person may have fretted a lot about exams going wrong; this detailed image of a positive experience is providing the brain with a blueprint for success.

As a teacher and parent I understand the pressure young people can face and it is privilege to be able to help them with their fears, knowing that hypnotherapy can make a real difference in this situation.   If you (or your child) are worrying about exams please get in touch for a no obligation chat to see if hypnotherapy could help.  I continue to offer online appointments (via Zoom) which young people often prefer as they are in their own environment where they naturally feel more relaxed.

To get in touch for an appointment or to find out more please click here.

Client reviews

‘I struggled with stress and anxiety with exams through high school and beyond.  Hypnotherapy helped change my perception of the situations I used to find challenging. After sessions with Beth I went on to pass my recent exam without those thoughts.’

‘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.’