Working with Children

Children do very well with hypnotherapy because their active imaginations and love of "pretend" make it easy for them to enter a trance state. Play and story-telling are always integrated into the session. The idea is to engage the child in ways that are fun for him or her. I also have a sandtray system in my office and do sandplay with children as a complementary therapy.

Some children (like some adults) may have misconceptions about hypnotherapy, which they have picked up from cartoons or movies. If the child is resistant to being hypnotized, I begin with one or more sessions of sandplay. Once the child trusts me, I can explain what I do and interest the child. Children generally love hypnosis, as it confirms their intuitive sense of the power of the imagination.

Hypnotherapy has been used successfully with children for the same ends it has been used with adults: phobias, anxiety, self-confidence, pain and symptom management in illness, etc. Additionally, although I am neither a learning specialist nor an educational therapist, I can help children with issues related to school performance, such as concentration, restlessness, and self-esteem.

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