How Hypnotherapy Helps Children Heal Through Play and Overcome Anxiety

Brainz Magazine
Jun 4
3 min read

Updated: Jun 5

Written by Meera Duncan, Registered Clinical Counselling Hypnotherapist, Counselling Therapist, and Author

Meera is a Therapist in private practice at 3rd Eye Hypnotherapy Clinic in Calgary, Alberta Canada who has worked with children for many years and feels passionate about healing the struggles children face and "Playing for Change".

Did you know that anxiety issues, behaviour disorders, and depression are the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders in children? 10% of children ages 3-17 have had a current diagnosis of anxiety based on US data from 2021 to 2022. As a therapist who has worked with children for many years, I believe the numbers far exceed 10%.

A female therapist is speaking with a young girl who is sitting on a couch and hugging a stuffed animal during a counseling session.

Hypnotherapy utilizes Clinical Pediatric Hypnosis to empower kids. Actually rewiring their brains by creating Neuroplasticity by simply playing for change.

You may ask, What does that really mean?

Most of us have never seen a Hypnotherapist. And unfortunately, stage hypnotists breed so many misconceptions regarding hypnosis.

Myths such as

You are under my spell!
You will do anything I ask of you!
You will not remember anything from your trance!

This is entertainment. A show. The truth is, it’s simply focused attention to the right hemisphere of the brain, where we believe the subconscious exists, quieting the left hemisphere of the brain (the conscious, analytic, thinking side) to achieve this focus.

What are the facts about hypnotherapy?

You are always in control.

(Regardless of how deep you go into the trance state). You hear everything.

You remember everything. You are always safe.

You will never accept any suggestions or ideas that are against your values, morals, or therapeutic goals. A skilled Hypnotherapist will create powerful, effective, fun games when working with children, that are carefully crafted psychotherapeutic suggestions in order to heal and resolve anxiety issues, fears, trauma, etc. Effectively reframing any automatic negative thoughts and changing any unwanted, unhealthy behaviours. All while having fun and playing games together!

In Melissa Tiers and Kelley T. Woods' book, Integrative Hypnosis for Kids and Teens, written for Clinical Hypnotherapists, these wonderful therapists document their cases and share how “Integrative Hypnosis for Kids and Teens is a treasure trove of information, insights, and creative approaches to helping kids change a wide variety of issues. Drawing on years of experience in hypnotically aiding young people, Melissa and Kelly offer a wide range of effective and easy-to-apply solutions based on the latest research in neuroscience, embodied cognition, and mind-body medicine”, which Hypnotherapists can integrate into their treatment approach when working with kids or teens. Therapists utilize a creative psychotherapeutic approach encompassing a wide range of interventions that seamlessly integrate clinical hypnosis, neurolinguistic psychology, narrative therapy, and practical neuroscience. All in the form of fun games. Utilizing therapeutic play to create change, rewire the brain, and heal.

In just a handful of sessions, kids can experience dramatic healing and change through this evidence-based type of play therapy.

As the World we live in continues to change at a rapid pace, and feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression continue to escalate in children and adults, Hypnotherapy is gaining significant traction as it becomes one of the leading treatments to heal and resolve these issues so many of us are facing as we attempt to navigate the ever-changing environment around us. Mental health truly needs to be a priority for our kids, as well as adults.

Did you know that Hypnosis is actually one of the safest, most natural methods of healing that has been used for thousands of years by clinicians as well-known as Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis?

How many kids and teenagers do you know who could benefit from reducing their feelings of stress and anxiety? Incorporating clinical pediatric hypnosis into a child’s therapeutic approach has been proven to translate into these children growing up to be calmer, more peaceful, confident, and empowered individuals. And the World truly needs the next generation to experience this type of emotional stability and health.

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