Most of the issues children would see a hypnotherapist about are similar to that of adults. They might have behaviour problems, strong negative feelings that are getting in the way of living their life, or some trauma they experienced in the past that they’re seeking to overcome.
However, children tend to have immediate success with hypnosis. They often respond even quicker than adults do. This is primarily because they have highly active imaginations and the imagination plays a large part in hypnosis. I also believe that children are more suggestible due to the fact that they have had less life experience. Suggestions are more readily accepted because we’re not infringing on or going against any of their core beliefs.
When it comes to children, I prefer to stay away from using a more formal hypnosis induction such as eye closure. I might just have them take a few deep breaths to relax, and then engage their imagination and use their naturally wonderful creative element. Adults have this too but children access it much more effortlessly.
You can even play games with children in hypnosis. You can bring cards or use puppets, or even have them draw. Whatever helps them relax. When they are in this relaxed and suggestible state they can enter hypnosis much more easily. They can also connect with any negative feelings much more easily. They make ideal hypnosis subjects actually; it’s just not achieved through the formal induction process.
Any child that is able to communicate their feelings can benefit from hypnosis. I worked with a young girl just recently that was only about six years old and she responded wonderfully. She was able to draw pictures and express herself quite well. Of course, the parents are always involved and in the room with the children when I work with them. It’s best for the child’s experience and comfort level, as well as for the parent’s and their understanding.
Although from the outside it might look completely different from your standard adult hypnosis session, the benefits of deep creative relaxation are spectacular and insightful at any age.
HypnoShop Recommends: Many of our self hypnosis CDs and hypnosis download sessions are suitable for children. Maybe your child has a fear of dogs, or a fear of the dark, which are common among children. If your child does use one of our hypnosis sessions then please ensure that you supervise his/her use of them.
