Over
the years, many of my clients have wanted to work on similar self-improvement
issues: increase self-confidence/self-esteem, improve sport performance,
increase focus/memory, manage fears and phobias, or to overcome social anxiety.
The majority of these clients have been adults. However, I can and do work with
children and teenagers. For the most part, a child’s hypnotherapy session is very
similar to the grown-up’s: I discuss what behavior(s) the person would like to
change, and I use the context of John Kappas, Ph.D.’s Theory of Mind to explain
how the current, unwanted behavior was established—and how it will be replaced
by a more effective, desired strategy. During hypnosis, I provide general suggestions
for relaxation and guided imagery that is specifically tailored for my client. Following
are some of the major differences between my hypnotherapy work with children
(under 18 years old) and adults:
1. I
must have a signed consent document
from the child’s parents in order to work with anyone under 18 years old. If
the parents are divorced and share custody of the child, both parents must still sign a consent-release form which I provide.
If only one parent or has custody of the child, the legal guardian must sign the document.
2. The
parents and legal guardians have a legal right to know some details about the
hypnotherapy that their child or teenager is receiving. They also have a right to
know whether the minor is using drugs or engaging in underage sex or dangerous behavior,
or is threatening to harm him- or herself or others.
3. I
respect the youngster’s right to privacy and confidentiality whenever possible,
but I also encourage the individual to confide in his or her parents, if/when
it is appropriate.
4. When
I work with minors, I always invite my client’s parents or guardian to be
present during the hypnosis.
5. The
amount of time a young child will spend in hypnosis during the hypnotherapy session
will be much shorter than what an adult or even a teenager will spend. While I typically
use breathing/relaxation exercises to induce hypnosis in all of my clients, I also
employ some kind of eye-fascination technique to hypnotize a child under age 14.
(I usually do not use eye-fascination techniques to induce hypnosis in an
adult).
Finally, as a certified
hypnotherapist, California law allows me to provide hypnotherapy as a complementary
or alternative treatment to help my clients to achieve vocational and
avocational self-improvement goals (Business and Professions Code 2908). If your
child or teenager’s issues are, or become, beyond my scope of expertise as a hypnotherapist,
I will refer you to a licensed medical doctor or psychologist for further
evaluation and/or treatment.
Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in
Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation
Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy®
and to set up an appointment, please
visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/
©
2014
