Hypnotherapy With Children

The reason for its appropriateness with children is that children are generally blessed with wonderful imaginations, and  therefore can be more open to positive suggestions than adults. The youngest child I have worked with is seven. (For the record the oldest person is 81).

While the vast range of children/youngsters/teenagers can respond to what might be termed more formal hypnotherapy, very young children can perhaps be able to be engaged in a more play-like form of therapy. For instance a child who is having nightmares about a monster can play a game where the therapist catches the monster, and takes him away for ever so that it can never upset the child again. These types of games can usually be child led.

I believe few people can have worked with a greater range of children than I have in my career, whether in social work, education or hypnotherapy. My experience goes from toddlers right through to young adults, from mainstream school to severe behaviour problems, from moderate to severe learning difficulty, and, finally, across the autistic spectrum. My experiences ranges  from care situations, through to teaching, and on to sports coaching. 

The bottom line is that I am very comfortable and enjoy working with children/youngsters of all ages, and believe hypnotherapy, alongside NLP techniques, can be a very positive way in helping them to overcome difficulties and move forward in life. There are no specific limitations as to what areas hypnotherapy and NLP can help youngsters in.

As a hypnotherapist I ask the youngster - and maybe the parent - about the problem, and decide whether hypnotherapy can help - and how - from this foundation. A significant proportion of my work as a hypnotherapist is with adolescents - and sometimes younger pupils - lacking self esteem or suffering from different levels of bullying, behaviour or socialisation problems at school. As well as using hypnotherapy, I can often give these young people the individual time to air and consider their difficulties that other professionals cannot.

Hypnotherapy can also be very useful with exam concerns and anxiety.

My hypnotherapy work follows a general pattern of building up the youngster's confidence in myself and the hypnotherapy process. We usually make a relaxing and confidence boosting CD to be listened to at home. We then seek together to identify the root of the problem presented, and perhaps reframe it to be looked at in a different way, or allow some of the emotion behind the problem to be let go.

We will also come up with powerful strategies for the youngster to use to help him through challenging times in the immediate and longer term future. We will work particularly intensely on the youngsters self esteem and self belief. We will look to him or her to focus on their positives rather than the negatives. Ultimately we look to what the youngster really wants for themselves in the future, .and begin to plan how they can find a route towards that future.

NB: It is important to note that every child or youngster under the age of 18 must have their consent form for hypnotherapy signed by their parent or guardian.

With young children work will also take place within sight and hearing distance of their parent or guardian.

Do you know of a child or young person who might benefit from hypnotherapy? If so why not call me - Hugh Clover - on 01206 323089, or email me on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . I offer an initial consultation to give client and parent a chance to meet me, and discuss the problem/s in question prior to therapy. If, after, this consultation therapy seems inappropriate it won't take place.