Hypnotherapy for children
As a parent you want your child to be happy and confident. It can be tough when they’re going through a hard time and you want them to see what you see; a unique individual with lots of skills and strengths to offer the world.
When working with children my prime goal is to build their confidence, to help them develop a growth mindset and to recognise their own strengths. But perhaps above all the goal is for them to enjoy the sessions so that they leave feeling happier and more confident than when they came in!
What happens in a hypnotherapy session with a child?
Sessions with children fall into two parts. The first part involves talking about what has been going well for them this week; what they have enjoyed and what they are proud of. I give children a notebook to write (or draw) this down so they don’t forget. We talk about the brain and how this works (recognising that angry or anxious thoughts are a normal reaction for everyone.) We then try to come up with some small steps towards the goal that has brought them to therapy.
After talking the hypnotherapy helps to calm down a child’s mind, build confidence, reduce anxiety and embed positive ideas. Children can experience hypnotherapy differently to adults. They may prefer to keep their eyes open; perhaps drawing or playing with a fidget toy. This is absolutely fine. You do not need to have your eyes shut for hypnotherapy to be effective. Hypnosis is very much a day dream state and children will be familiar with this.
What you need to know about hypnotherapy for children
As a parent or carer it is important to note that your child has to want to make changes for themselves in order for hypnotherapy to succeed. A parent may want their child to eat vegetables but if the child is happy with the situation as it stands then hypnotherapy will not change things.
If you are considering hypnotherapy for your child please get in touch. I offer a free 20 minute phone call to discuss whether hypnotherapy is the right course of action for your child. This would be followed by an initial consultation which provides an opportunity for you and your child to ask questions and find out more. It is also very important that your child would want to work with me because rapport is a key part of therapy success.
I have a professional background in working with children. I started my career as a teacher and later spent seven years working with families and children in the charity sector. I also hold a full DBS check and have undergone extra training in working with children and teenagers, including safeguarding and working with young people with additional needs.
Online hypnotherapy sessions for children and teenagers
I see children both face to face in Hayfield and online via Zoom. When I work with younger children parents sit in on sessions. Once a child is older (from about 11) this is a matter of personal choice although many parents still sit in on sessions. I do ask for an adult to come to the first session with their child because it is important for both the child and the parent/carer to understand what is involved with undertaking a course of hypnotherapy.
Safeguarding
While sessions are confidential it is important to emphasise that if I have any concerns about the safety of a child or adult further action will be taken. This could involve getting in touch with a GP or a parent. When young people are involved with other agencies I may get in touch with them. I also discuss cases (anonymously) with a supervisor.
An opportunity to see me in practice- my free online sessions
You and your child are very welcome to join my next free ‘Relax and Recharge’ session which people attend anonymously. This is a good opportunity for you and your child to see me online to see how you both feel about working with me.
Reviews from my hypnotherapy sessions with children
‘We can not thank Beth enough for her incredible expertise. My daughter has found an inner belief and calm thanks to the hypnotherapy she received. We didn’t think the results would be so good so quickly but things have really improved. My daughter now has a new found confidence in her sport that she had lost and with Beth’s help is now succeeding and believing. I would recommend any child struggling to seek help with Beth. We really appreciate all you have done.’
‘Our daughter loves her sport but had started to struggle with anxiety……after even the 1st session we noticed a positive improvement and after a couple the difference is nothing short of remarkable. If there’s any anxiety there now you certainly wouldn’t know it and it all seems a distant memory! I’ve already recommended Beth to friends who have children experiencing a similar situation and honestly can’t thank her enough for helping us through this.’
‘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.....I would 100% recommend her services to anyone.’
