Hypnotherapy for Children
By Shannon Feather

Hypnotherapy, best known for aiding in smoking cessation, weight loss and stress reduction, has been given new recognition in dealing with a multitude of childhood issues.  Recent research and literature concludes that children are actually better hypnotic subjects in comparison to adults. This is due to the fact that much of early childhood is already spent in hypnosis.

Children have very active fantasy lives and indulge in pretend experiences. These are forms of hypnosis and in this state children suspend their connection to the outer world.  Imagination is the doorway between the conscious and the unconscious mind.  By accessing deeper levels of the unconscious mind and using stories, visualization, imaginative games and other tools you can facilitate change in the behavior and beliefs of a child at a very rapid rate.

Children are also great candidates for hypnosis because many of the inhibitions which commonly affect adults have not yet developed, causing them to have less critical judgment and resistance to suggestion. They are great discoverers and enjoy responding to new ideas that are presented in a way they can easily understand. Children also benefit from prolonged contact with an individual be it a parent, teacher, coach or counselor who can and will offer sensitivity, understanding and appreciation.

Hypnotherapy can help to eliminate habits such as bedwetting, nail biting, stuttering, thumb sucking, nightmares and sleepwalking, and is also a very effective tool in dealing with the symptoms associated with ADD and ADHD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Tourette’s Syndrome, and anger.  The list goes on and on. Hypnotherapy also works great with older children and adolescents and is very effective in improving self-confidence, self-esteem, dealing with behavioral problems and delinquency, and enhancing athletic and academic performance.

The typical first session involves the therapist, the parent and the child. The first part of the session is used for getting acquainted and establishing trust with the child, also for clarifying the issue and the parent’s expectations. During the latter part of the session the parent may be asked to wait nearby in a waiting room while the actual hypnosis takes place. This is dependent upon the comfort level of the child. Just as with adult clients, it is important that the child wants to make change and is willing to cooperate and work with the therapist. For most children 4 to 8 sessions are needed to help in many of the issues listed above. During this time a therapist will train the willing parent in hypnosis techniques to use at home, as well as train the child how to self-hypnotize so that the tools can be used indefinitely after therapy.

 Children that learn to use hypnosis tools at a young age exercise more self-responsibility and control over their emotions and actions. The feeling of having more control in turn increases their self-confidence in all aspects of their life.