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Del Morrill, M.S. C.C.H

Transitions

A Center for Counseling & Hypnosis
Tacoma, Washington, USA
(253) 752-1506

How Do I Know a Child is Hypnotized?

Question

Dear Del, I am still new enough in working with children that I am not sure how "deep" I need to try to lead (this) child.  She is very compliant and seems eager to make progress------but she is very "antsy" in the chair---which I know is typical with kids in general, and particularly with compulsions involved.  My hunch is to spend some extra time  at this week's appointment working with her in hypnosis--which, by the way, I would like to know a method you teach kids for that. Grateful for any help.

 

Answer

            I wouldn't worry unduly about "how deep" with a young child.  I notice them wiggling all over the chair, and sometimes opening their eyes; yet they still pick up what I'm saying--and changes happen.  They simply don't have the blocks and expectations of what hypnosis ought to be, so you can be far more flexible in what you do.  I've read a story or given suggestions, with great success, as  a very young child merely colored designs that led the eye inward, while sitting on the floor.   I've given a child a magic stone to make themselves feel better, physically, without using traditional hypnosis, and it worked because she expected it to.   Rule of thumb, I'm finding out, is the older the child the more you may move toward more typical inductions and expect quieter body responses.  With the younger child, or ADD child, you need to throw away the typical sit-in-the-chair and receive my suggestions methods.  


             I've found that "antsy" children may be more effectively worked with if you lead them into 2 or 3 short hypnotic sessions within the time they are with you. Get them to trust you and relax a bit, talk to them or tell a story for a few minutes, bring them out and have them share with you about most anything, then have them close their eyes again, etc. etc.  10 minutes max is all that's needed in any one time, but you can do several 5-10 minute sessions within the time they're with you.  I had one girl who changed a habit by my merely suggesting she think of a particular animal whenever she had the problem.  Ultimately, it led to my script on "being animals" (GREAT ESCAPES, Volume 1).  Good luck, and let me know how it goes. 


 

 

 
 

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