Hypnosis For Children & Teens

Anxiety in children and teens may be associated with musical or sport performance, test-taking, social situations, or public speaking. Children or teens may have also developed anxiety associated with medical or dental appointments.

Trauma may have lead to symptoms of anxiety or fear that can be relieved with hypnosis such as nail biting, hair pulling, skin picking, bed wetting, eating issues, and more.

Children and teens are often affected greatly by fear. Fears may include monsters, clowns, strangers, the dark, the bathroom, needles, nightmares, water, dogs, food and the list goes on. Hypnosis Works to relieve them!  

These may include but are not limited to stuttering, unhealthy habits, sport’s injuries, menstrual cramps, asthma, skin problems, stomach issues, surgery or pain. Daria Mann, advanced clinical hypnotherapist, with written permission, will work with your child’s pediatrician or specialist to ensure hypnosis is serving the best interest of your  child or teen. 

Children and teens have occasional irrational or overwelming thoughts that often affect their self-esteem; school performance; ability to make friends; connections with teachers; or the ability to play sports, or enjoy other activities. Hypnotherapy can help them let go of past experiences or simply see the experiences from a different perspective to find relief and release  the old thoughts or ideas. 

Children and teens benefit from using hypnotherapy to make transitions of all kinds.  Transitions may include a new sibling, their own room or new bed, feelings related to divorce, introduction of a step-parent or stepsiblings, a death of a family member or pet, new home, or a new school. 

Children and Teens may have some thoughts and ideas from past negative experiences or thoughts stuck in their head such as "You are not good at math", "You are ugly", "You are not good enough", "If you can't do it perfectly, don't do it!", etc.  which are holding them back.  Hypnotherapy allows the subconscious mind to release the negative and replace them with much more positive thoughts and ideas such as "I am smart!", I am brave!", "I work hard and succeed!", "I am special and precious.", etc. 

Children and Teens love hypnosis for therapy because they are in control of changing their thoughts and behaviors. In counseling with hypnosis, we work together to understand the circumstances that led to fear and anxiety, understand the incredible power of their own mind, and allow it to use its ability to serve them in much better ways. Hypnosis is fun and most children and teens enjoy allowing relaxation, a calming voice, and their imagination to go into trance very easily to create transformation. 

Often parents will notice changes immediately but to the child or teen it may not seem like anything has changed.  At other times, the child or teen notices right away and are so grateful and thankful. Teens enjoy the relaxation, the ease, and the reduced stress hypnosis gives to the therapeutic experience.  Talk therapy may be difficult at first, especially if they have experienced trauma, and hypnosis is a way to allow the subconscious do the work while the conscious mind and body relaxes.

A session with a child or teen will include paperwork and intake with a parent present to determine what the issue is as well as determine if the child or teen wants to change. Parents have sometimes asked Daria if she could “make” them do something.  It is important to know the child or teen is in control and without their permission to make changes, suggestions will not be accepted to resolve the issue. 

The child can sit wherever he/she is comfortable, many like the big recliner chair, but some prefer to sit on the rug, or lie on the couch with a pillow and blanket.  Children and teens are respected and can even play for a short time with the calming sand and toys provided in the office to feel more comfortable. 

Usually, hypnosis works best with the parent in the waiting room during hypnosis. However if a child (or parent) is uncomfortable, Daria will allow the parent to stay. To the observing parent, hypnosis may seem like storytelling, or they may not understand a technique that may be used such as metaphorical language, or the use of silence to allow the child or teen to use their imagination. Children tend to move more than adults while in trance which doesn’t interfere with the work, but may seem a bit odd to parents. Suggestions are always positive and use benefits to motivate change within.