Can Hypnotherapy Help Children and Teens?

By Susan Conrad, CH

NOVA Hypnosis and Wellness

More Child Health and Safety Articles

Can Hypnotherapy Help Children and Teens?

Did you know that hypnotherapy could help kids with confidence, motivation, focus, studying, sports improvement, and even stop bedwetting and nail biting?

Children age six or older respond very positively to hypnosis as their mind’s critical factor is still developing. This means that a child’s conscious mind does not produce as much resistance to suggestions as an adult’s mind would, allowing the hypnosis process to proceed more effectively and efficiently.

Hypnosis of children was first talked about in 1779 by Mesmer, who reportedly used hypnotherapy to treat a child with visual problems. Historically, hypnotherapy was rarely practiced with children, because people thought that children could not be hypnotized. In the 1970’s, however, observations by Olness and Gardner, suggested that children were easier to hypnotize than adults, and that hypnosis could be used in the treatment of behavioral and physical problems in children.

In a study on Dyslexia in 1975, Crasilneck and Hall showed that over 75% of dyslexic children can be helped with direct hypnosis. Following hypnotherapy that included suggestions for improving performance and pronunciation, recognition of words became automatic and more rapid. The results in this study were as good as, or slightly better than, those reported by special behavior modifiers.

Hypnosis is able to play a secondary role in changing thought patterns in a child and can make effective changes in a child’s behavior without the use of prescription drugs.

Hypnosis is a natural mental state. Children’s minds are very receptive to the hypnotic process, as they have stronger imaginations than most adults and a natural drive to experiment with new things. For example, children are often in a state of self-hypnosis when they are playing imaginary games.

During a hypnotherapy session, the child learns to use relaxation techniques and mental images, similar to a daydream or fantasy, to enter an altered mental state. Hypnosis for children can be a very fun process full of stories, games, puppets, and even magic tricks.

Children can gain significant improvement in their self-confidence and ability to succeed with the help of hypnosis, as it can help them learn healthy and empowering coping techniques. Children often respond better than

adults to hypnotherapy and changes can come about faster and be more permanent, as they don’t have the years of resistance that adults have. With the help of a skilled hypnotherapist in Manchester, a child can really blossom and become much more successful and happier.

Many problems of childhood will pass naturally in time, but when a little extra help is required, hypnotherapy for children and teens is a gentle and natural way to get things moving. If you have a child with one or more of

the following issues, consider a hypnosis consultation bed wetting, fears, difficulty concentrating, thumb sucking, lack of self-confidence, overweight, difficulty making friends, poor concentration, acting out, nail biting, shy- ness or sadness, hates school.

Always seek the advice of a licensed mental health or medical provider prior to starting any new treatment plan or with any questions regarding your medical or mental health condition. Please be aware hypnosis services are intended to supplement, not substitute the care provided by your licensed mental health or medical provider