Emotional disorders such as anxiety, depression, fear, and others can be treated through hypnosis. In children, hypnosis can also have positive effects for treating these problems, and go beyond, promoting better quality of life and better development.

It may seem strange that it is possible to hypnotize children, whose behavior usually has difficulty concentrating for a few minutes, but it turns out that since children have a disposition to use their imagination, this opens up the possibility for them to enjoy the benefits of hypnosis. 

Therefore, in this content, we will discuss the benefits of hypnosis for children, when it is indicated, and what hypnosis for children is. Check it out below!

What is hypnosis for children?

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), with small considerations from the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis (SBH), hypnosis can be defined as a state of consciousness [intentionally induced] that involves focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness, characterized by an increased capacity for response to suggestion. In this state, the subject is led to experience changes in sensations, perceptions, thoughts, or behavior [goal-oriented].

Therefore, using hypnosis in children in offices is an easier way to help them build new skills or amplify and improve existing ones that are not yet easily noticeable. The important thing is to adapt behavior to the real world, creating behaviors and perceptions that directly influence the child’s daily life.

It may seem that hypnosis is difficult to apply to children, but in fact, they are more susceptible than adults. As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, children’s thoughts tend to be more creative and imaginative, which makes them more sensitive to the therapist’s suggestions.

This differentiated experience of children, who feel everything more playfully, tends to direct the care of children towards more personal lines. Encouraging the elasticity of imagination, instead of retrieving known and defined emotions, which are techniques aimed at adults. But are there age limitations for applying hypnosis to children?

When is hypnosis indicated for children?

Considering the classic (directive) model of hypnosis, from 6 to 12 years old, it is already possible to establish more efficient communication with the child. But when it comes to metaphors and indirect communication, there is no minimum age.

The age limitation for classic hypnosis occurs for two main reasons: the low capacity to concentrate for a certain period of time and difficulty following suggestions.

Since children under 6 years old still cannot verbalize accurately, nor always recognize and talk about their feelings, nor have the cognitive ability developed enough to establish cause and effect relationships for any event. This does not prevent the use of techniques that explore “metaphors” in other ways, naturalistic hypnosis, or so-called Ericksonian hypnosis.

Now that we have clarified these points, let’s show you the benefits of hypnosis for children. See below!

What are the benefits of hypnosis for children?

According to Renewed Hypnosis, hypnosis for children can provide relief for various problems that adults also face. See some of them below:

• Reduce anxiety and relieve depression;
• Help with weight loss;
• Reduce pain;
• Relieve obsessive-compulsive disorder;
• Help with social anxiety disorder;
• Reduce phobia reactions;
• Increase sense of self-control;
• Reduce sleep disorders;
• Treat anorexia nervosa;
• Reduce nail-biting and hair-pulling;

According to the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, hypnosis can also be used by teachers in schools as a teaching methodology. Students who experienced the use of hypnosis as a form of teaching had better grades in the following months, showing another use of hypnosis for children.

Although there are many benefits for children, it should not cause much surprise. After all, clinical hypnosis, regardless of the patient’s age group, seeks to intervene in their psychological processes in an attempt to balance them with their life and history. 

The hypnotic trance occurs as we move from brain communication through high-intensity beta waves to slower theta waves. Thus, we experience perceptual and physiological changes, for example: our eyes vibrate, breathing becomes more rhythmic, the body relaxes, and time is distorted. Interestingly, children and animals tend to reside in theta waves, being more intuitive and emotional.

Therefore, hypnosis can be a means for control, relief, and treatment of problems that children may face during their lives and in their development. But the therapist who starts treating children using hypnosis should diagnose the level of their problem with the support of a health professional recommended for the situation. 

If you enjoyed learning about hypnosis for children, stay tuned to the SBH training courses and become a therapist prepared for various types of patients.

Originally posted 2021-04-30 18:27:35.