Anxiety in Children: But My Child Can’t Stop Picking
“My child can’t stop picking the skin off her hands and thumbs. Can you help her break this habit?” This is what a distraught mom said to me one day by phone.
I’m seeing more and more nervous and anxious habits with kids these days.
Maybe your child suffers from anxiety. It’s widespread these days. Kids have a lot of pressures on them today. They have family stuff, school stuff, peer stuff and social media stuff. It’s a lot. And they even pick up on their parents’ stress. Most issues I see with kids these days involves anxiety in children.
Their stress can manifest in many ways. They may have trouble sleeping, they could revert to previous behaviors like bed wetting, they might bite their nails, pull out their hair or any number of other problems. The good news is that hypnosis is so calming and easy for kids, those stubborn habits fade out quickly.
[bctt tweet=”It makes sense to always take your child to see their doctor before anything else. There could be a medical reason for anxiety behaviors. But when your doctor has done all they can, hypnosis often can make those changes and make them fast.|” username=”@ang1e”]WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN I BRING MY CHILD TO A HYPNOTIST
When you bring your child in to me, we will have discussed the problem beforehand either in person or by phone. That way I can be prepared for the issue. Working with trichotillomana, compulsive hair pulling, I will prepare in a different way than I will from enuresis, bed wetting.
Also I want to know the child’s age. I won’t approach a seven year old the way I would a seventeen year old. I have crafts and art therapy supplies and other props that are age appropriate.
The day of your child’s session, you will come in with her. I have check in forms for you to read and sign; our contract which spells out my fee and expectations, a parental consent form and an intake form which is similar to one you use at the doctor’s office.
Then I will normally ask you to leave for the session. This is so your child will talk candidly with me. Occasionally a child won’t stay without their parent present. In that case, the parent can stay. It’s not a hard and fast rule but your child will open up more to me if you are not present. I have big windows in my shop so you can be outside but see your child at all times.
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THE ACTUAL SESSION
Now it’s time for the session. I normally give a child a craft or art project to work on while we talk. It keeps her hands busy and she feels more comfortable working on something.
I will ask her about the issue and some easy questions about when it may have started. I ask about what her life would look like without this behavior. Depending on the problem, we may do some NLP techniques or Tapping.
Now we do a short hypnosis to reinforce the new wanted behavior. Usually this will involve story telling, imagination and direct suggestions.
After the hypnosis, I will wrap up with the Homework for the week. This will be giving your child new tools to make change. I may want her to chart her progress on a calendar. If so, I’ll print a calendar for her and give her fun stickers to use.
Then I will invite you back in and we will set the next appointment and receive payment.
WRAPPING UP
Seeing children in my hypnosis practice is a joy. They’re always fun to work with and responsive to fun ideas!
Oh, and I did help the 10 year old with her embarrassing habit even though her mom said they had to been to many doctors and specialists. We did three sessions and she was so happy, she made me a crown to thank me!
Do you want to make an appointment for hypnosis with me for your child? Call me here for your session: (574) 658-4686
Angie J. Hernandez, C.Ht.
About the Author Angie J. Hernandez, C.Ht.
A graduate of the Hypnosis Motivation Institute, Angie J. Hernandez, C.Ht., has her private practice in Milford, Indiana. She is certified in hypnotherapy by the Hypnotherapist's Union Local 472. Angie is the author of "Weight Loss Epiphany: The Workbook", "Charlie's Cuddly Animals for Little Geniuses" and "Weight Loss Hypnosis: Lose Weight with Hypnosis Scripts & Recordings". You can find out more about Angie and how to schedule private sessions by calling (574) 658-4686.
