Why Children Respond So Well To Solution Focused Hypnotherapy

Helen Wilks
Jun 4
4 min read

"I feel passionate about helping young people develop emotional resilience early in life."

I've recently completed additional specialist training to enhance my work with children (age 6+).

Children today face enormous pressures -emotionally, socially and academically - and I'm delighted to further add to the techniques and tools I have to support them.

I chose to deepen my knowledge and qualifications in this area as I very much enjoy working with young minds to help support them to learn about how their brains work, and really turn things around for themselves in terms of behaviour and mindset.

I have not only witnessed what a positive impact these transformative changes will have for their future, but seen what a difference it can make for the whole family when a child or teenager learns how to regulate their nervous system, reduce anxiety, anger or depression and become able to find joy, calm or motivation again.

Why Children Often Respond Well to Hypnotherapy

Children naturally have vivid imaginations. This is incredibly useful with hypnotherapy techniques, such as visualisation, that create positive change. Children naturally enter “trance-like” focused states regularly through play, stories and creativity already, so they are open to feeling their mind wandering, and listening. Young brains are highly adaptable and responsive to positive suggestion; they want to learn, and tend to be engaged and interested in how their mind works. Solution focused approaches help children focus on strengths and progress, rather than focusing on problems.

Common Issues Children Experience

Children can benefit from support for a variety of challenges, including:

Anxiety
School worries
Sleep difficulties
Low confidence
Exam stress
Friendship issues
Emotional overwhelm
Fears and phobias
Anger or emotional regulation difficulties

Neurodiversity and Special Needs

I work with neurotypical children, as well as those with ADHD, Autism, Mild Learning Disabilities and other Special Educational Needs, adapting sessions appropriately. Clinical Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a great fit for children for whom attention wanders, or if they find it difficult to stay focused for long periods of time, as sensory toys, colouring and playing are already natural ways that the subconscious mind is engaged. Children who find it challenging to talk about feelings or emotions, or who don't want to go over the problems of the past, are often relieved to find out that this is not necessary here!

What Sessions Are Like - And Safety

One of the biggest questions parents unfamiliar with hypnotherapy have, is: "Will my child be safe - and what actually happens in the sessions?" Each session includes positive, future focused talk therapy, some psych-oeducation (see below), NLP techniques and hypnosis.

Sessions are calm, positive, ability-appropriate and age-appropriate.
Hypnosis is relaxing and safe.
Children remain aware and in control.
Sessions may include storytelling, visualisation, deep relaxation and creative techniques.
The focus is on building confidence, resilience and collaborating with the child to help them bring about self-led positive change.

Brain-Based Education Is An Important Part of Sessions

Solution focused hypnotherapy works beautifully with psycho-education. I teach children and teens how their mind works, and this knowledge empowers them to feel confident, beginning to take back control of their nervous system, behaviour patterns and emotions. I also help parents to understand these same principles so that they can support their child as they learn.

We look at Fight/flight/freeze responses and how the brain is trying to protect us with positive intentions; the reactions attributed to the “primitive brain” vs the "thinking" brain; and how stress affects learning, sleep and emotions.

Deep relaxation helps children access calmer thinking, empowering them to recognise and build on their unique strengths, work out what the future they truly want for themselves looks like, and collaboratively come up with solutions to work towards that positive future.

The Impact of Early Support

Regaining control and finding a positive future path for a child who is 'stuck' or struggling can have a huge impact on their lifelong trajectory. It makes sense that supporting emotional wellbeing early can positively impact adulthood, and learning coping skills while still young can build lifelong resilience. Often children don’t need to “just grow out of it", and empowering them with a sense of control over their own future (both immediate and long term) gives children and teenagers valuable self-worth. Teaching them how to build on strengths, have a positive mindset, deal with stressful situations and how making small changes is an effective way work towards bigger goals, gives young people tools that last a lifetime.

Unfortunately, therapy for children in Dorset and the rest of the UK is sadly lacking; and there are long wait lists for CAMHS and other mental health services. Often, waiting months, or even years, can have a huge impact on the whole family, as it feels like help and support is just not available when the young person needs it most. Sadly, I can empathise, as a parent of a young adult with special needs who has experienced mental health struggles, our family has been there too.

A Sense of Hope & Encouragement

Many children and teenagers feel a shift towards positive change in the first couple of visits, some even after the initial consultation. The good news is:

Children are incredibly adaptable
Small changes can create big shifts
Emotional wellbeing support can help children flourish at home, school and socially
Clinical Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is known for quick, effective, long-lasting change

Working with Me

I believe in empowering children and young people rather than 'fixing' them. Building on their own unique skills, insights and personality traits, and drawing out strengths to help them move towards a successful, positive future as an individual, a future that they are fully invested in because they learned how to create it for themselves.

I help children from across Dorset at my practice in Ferndown, as well as offering sessions online via zoom. There's plenty of free parking and I offer after school/early evening slots as well as sessions during the day. The location is easy access from Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, West Parley, West Moors, Ringwood, St. Leonards and Wimborne. Although some people do travel further!

If you'd like a brief phone chat, to book a free initial consultation, or you have any questions, please get in touch either by email helen@dorsethypnotherapypractice.co.uk, or by phoning / sending a WhatsApp to +44 (0)7388 566312.

Helen