HOW HYPNOTHERAPY CAN MAKE KIDS & TEENS FEEL MORE CONFIDENT & CALMER

As a parent, nothing is harder than watching your child struggle—whether it’s with anxiety, confidence, school stress, or the lingering effects of being bullied. You want to help, but sometimes reassurance and logic just don’t seem to reach them.

That’s where hypnotherapy for children and teenagers can make a real difference.

Over the years, I’ve found that young people respond incredibly well to hypnotherapy, especially when the environment is calm and non-judgmental. In particular many kids don't like to do talk therapy and being able to lie on a table and go into trance and get up and feel different really makes them happy. They are used to taking instructions from teachers and parents so are generally really open to hypnotherapy suggestions and concepts.

Whether they’re battling phobias, social anxiety, school performance pressure, low self-esteem, or even just feeling stuck, this gentle yet powerful therapy can help create meaningful change.

What Can Hypnotherapy Help With?

Kids and teens come to see me for a wide range of reasons, but some of the most common include:

Anxiety and overthinking
Performance anxiety (exams, sport, public speaking, dance)
Phobias (needles, dogs, vomiting, darkness, loud noises)
Confidence issues and shyness
Social withdrawal or fear of being judged
The emotional effects of bullying
Nail biting and other habits they want to stop

EMDR for Kids: Releasing the Emotional Charge

One tool I use alongside hypnotherapy is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing). Originally developed for trauma, EMDR is amazing for kids and teens who’ve been bullied or have experienced emotionally intense events—things that might still feel “stuck” in their minds or bodies.

With EMDR, we help release that built-up emotion without forcing them to talk about it endlessly or relive the pain. It’s gentle, quick, and often leads to huge shifts in how they feel.

I’ve seen children go from feeling frozen with fear or shame to regaining a sense of peace, confidence, and emotional freedom—all in just a few sessions.

“But Is Hypnotherapy Safe for Children?”

Absolutely. Hypnotherapy for kids and teens is completely safe, non-invasive, and drug-free. It's not about making kids do silly things or putting them “under”—it’s about guiding them into a relaxed, focused state where their minds are open to positive, empowering suggestions.

In fact, children often naturally slip into this kind of hypnotic state when they’re lost in a book, watching clouds, or daydreaming. We simply use that ability intentionally—to help them feel more calm, confident, and in control.

What About Habits Like Nail Biting or Fear of Needles?

These types of phobias and habits are often managed unconsciously, which is why traditional “talking it out” doesn’t always work. Instead, hypnotherapy works by accessing the unconscious mind—where the fear or habit is stored—and gently reshaping the child’s automatic response.

Whether it’s nail biting, fear of needles, or other repetitive behaviors, we help kids find new, healthier ways to self-soothe and react.

Supporting Young Minds, Gently

There is so much pressure on kids and teens today—more than ever before. Social media, academic expectations, body image, social anxiety—it’s a lot. Sometimes they need more than just coping skills. They need a space where they can understand what’s going on inside, and feel empowered to change it.

That’s the magic of hypnotherapy for anxiety in children, confidence building for teenagers, and gentle therapies like EMDR. These aren’t quick fixes—they’re tools for life.

If you’d like to chat about how I work or whether hypnotherapy could help your child, feel free to reach out. I’m here to help.

If there’s one thing that matters most when working with young people, it’s rapport. Before any real progress can happen, they need to feel safe, seen, and heard. I genuinely enjoy working with teenagers and kids and find the rapport is generally there.