Effective Hypnotherapy for Children and Adults
by Randi Botnick, CHT

Life is often complicated and difficult for children and teens, and hypnosis can be just as effective with children as with adults. Children show their response to stress, change, grief and loss in many different ways. Common signs of difficulties include poor grades, behavior problems, nightmares, bed wetting, and stuttering. Many kinds of therapies are very helpful. And Hypnotherapy adds another element to resolve core issues and modify behavior quickly — and without the use of drugs.

Hypnosis is no longer considered to be an alternative form of therapy. In fact, it complements other kind of treatments nicely. Hypnosis is defined as an altered state of awareness characterized by relaxation and a higher response to suggestion. Generally speaking, the hypnotherapist guides you into a state of deep relaxation and works with the subconscious mind to understand underlying motivations and, ultimately, create change, helping you reach your potential in all aspects of your life.

It is often thought that children would be poor hypnosis subjects, due to their high energy and short attention spans. However, by the time they reach 8 years old, children who are open and imaginative make great hypnotic subjects. They go into trance easily and can stay there for some time, making long inductions unnecessary. Playing, daydreaming, fantasizing, sometimes even undergoing punishment, can make them go into a hypnotic state automatically. (If you question this, just try to have a conversation with your children while they play video games or watch their favorite TV show.)

A typical first hypnotherapy session involves the child, the parents and the therapist. After taking time to get acquainted and develop trust, the therapist works closely with the child to determine what the problem is and how best to work on it. Just as with adults, it is important for the hypnotherapist to build rapport with the child, and make sure the child is comfortable with the way he or she will be treated. When all questions and concerns have been answered, the hypnosis process can begin. Stories, visualizations and suggestions that are appropriate to the child’s age are used.

Some common issues dealt with through the use of hypnosis are:

Children and adults often lead very stressful lives. Hypnotherapy can help us all unlearn old habits, learn new responses to stressful situations, and, in general, heal our interactions with others and the world.

August 2003