about me......
Hypnotherapy For children
Hypnotherapy is very effective for children from about the age of five upwards. Kids have great imaginations and generally really enjoy hypnotherapy, as it lets them use the power of their own minds to take control of things that previously troubled them.
Please see below for more details.What kinds of conditions can be treated?
Some of the more common conditions are:- Nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting)
- Sleeping problems
- Fear of the dark
- Obsessive thoughts
- Compulsions (eg hair-pulling)
- Thumb sucking and nail biting
- Encopresis (soiling)
- Tics
- Bullying, ego strengthening and self esteem
- Behavioural problems
- Exam nerves
- Focus and concentration for studying
- Stammering
How does hypnosis work for older children?
As with adults, when the
body is relaxed comfortably and the mind is in a calm, day-dreaming
state, it is said to be in a light state of hypnotic relaxation, or
'trance'. 
Children
experience this kind of state many times a day quite naturally; when
they are waking from sleep or falling asleep, or just becoming absorbed
in thought or in imaginative play. Children have a well developed sense
of imagination and can frequently imagine they are Harry Potter or
whichever hero is their personal favourite.
In this relaxed state the subconscious part of the mind is really receptive to positive suggestion and is able to find creative and imaginative solutions to problems
Usually children from ten upwards (sometimes several years younger too) are quite happy to close their eyes and relax and enjoy a guided daydream packed full of positive suggestions for them to 'act out’ in their imagination. All sessions also include positive suggestions for confidence and self esteem.
How does hypnosis work for younger children?
The
process is very similar except that
younger children don’t necessarily physically relax much at all; they
just see or feel or hear things in their imagination as guided by the
therapist.
The process is more like engaging in active imagination games which
they do with the greatest of ease. Ask them to see their problem as a
shape or a colour and shrink it or change it, they just do it!
Children spend half their lives in their imaginations anyway, and my job is to get them to use that imagination in a positive way to help overcome their problems.
Can I come into the session with them?
Of course. In the case of young children It is important for a parent to stay so that the child feels safe and at ease. It also puts your mind (as the parent) at ease to see that the process is safe and positive; gentle or fun as appropriate. Sometimes older children (16 and over) prefer to be on their own so they don’t have a sense of 'being observed’. I recommend you to have a chat with your child and go along with their preferences as some children are quite happy on their own after a first or second session, but Mum or Dad should always be close by in the waiting room. Also remember that children mature quite differently and can often seem considerably older or younger than their actual age.
I talk directly to your child rather than just ask the parent about them and generally I ask the parent to let them answer for themselves rather than jumping in to help them. When I need extra information I usually ask them if it is ok if I ask Mum or Dad a question to see what they think; in this way they are reassured that they are the important person in the room and their opinion counts. I will often ask the parent to tell me some of the things you really like and value about them
other questions?
Please see the general hypnosis FAQ here and, of course, feel free to contact me at any time. Contact details can be found here.
professional care
I am a Member of the
Institute of Clinical Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy (Ireland), and the
Association for Professional Hypnosis and Psychotherapy (United
Kingdom) and am an accredited NLP Life and Business Coach with the
Irish Institute of NLP.
