Children’s Hypnotherapy in Greytown
Children respond exceptionally well to Hypnotherapy as their brains are naturally in an imaginative state which is why they fall so easily into make-believe play. They are also primed for learning, constantly observing and storing information in their subconscious creating thought patterns that can stay with them into adulthood.
Children's natural trance-like state allows me to use play and imagination to offer hypnotherapeutic suggestions that drives behavioural changes.
The child's willingness to change is essential to the success of Hypnotherapy. Without the desire to change the child's mind is likely to reject the hypnotic suggestions. In the first session I spend time speaking with the child to determine their motivation to change and how life would look for them if the old behaviour was replaced by the new behaviour.
Hypnotherapy for children is completely safe, there are no side effects. Hypnosis cannot make your child do anything against their will.
Hypnotherapy may alleviate multiple emotional and behavioral struggles in children.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/nz/blog/helping-kids-cope/201903/equine-assisted-therapy-unique-and-effective-intervention
In a children’s Hypnotherapy session at my clinic in Greytown, Wairarapa I use play-based methods to take the child into their imagination where we visualise the solution to the child’s challenges, often using metaphor or story-telling. As children are naturally in trance until the age of 7-8 years old this, is a very easy and enjoyable process for the child. For example, for a 6 year old with bed-wetting issues we might act out a situation of controlling their bladder - stopping and starting at will - by walking and stopping the horse. Hypnosis for children does not require them to it still with their eyes closed. Children are very capable of creating vivid internal worlds which we utilise in a Hypnotherapy session to make hypnotic suggestions to create change. For older children and teenagers, Hypnotherapy is much like an adults session where trance is induced by guided meditation then suggestions posed to the child’s subconscious mind by the Hypnotherapist.
Cost $80 per session.
EMDR For Children
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured, evidence-based therapy that can be highly effective for children dealing with trauma, anxiety, or distressing memories. When adapted appropriately, EMDR helps children process overwhelming experiences in a safe and developmentally sensitive way.
🧠 What Is EMDR for Kids?
EMDR involves guiding a child to recall a distressing memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation—such as moving their eyes side to side, tapping alternately on their knees, or listening to sounds in each ear. This process helps the brain "digest" the memory, reducing its emotional intensity and allowing the child to feel safer and more in control. Ana Gomez, a specialist in child EMDR, describes it as helping kids "get rid of mixed-up feelings from bad experiences" so they can make room for good ones.
🧩 How EMDR Is Adapted for Children
Therapists tailor EMDR to a child's age, developmental level, and emotional needs. Common adaptations include:
Play Therapy Integration: Using toys, art, or storytelling to help children express and process emotions.
Creative Bilateral Stimulation: Incorporating games or songs that involve rhythmic movements or sounds to engage the child.
Parental Involvement: Including caregivers in sessions to provide support and reinforce coping strategies at home.
These modifications create a supportive environment where children can process traumatic memories at their own pace.
✅ Effectiveness and Recognition
EMDR is recognized by the World Health Organization and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies as an effective treatment for children and adolescents who have experienced traumatic events . Research indicates that EMDR can be as effective as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in reducing PTSD symptoms in children .