hypnosis for children

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Permalink Reply by ShantiShanti on April 28, 2008 at 12:28pm

O YE! No comments? Nobody around here working with kids? Okay, how about ANYONE working with kids AT ALL, maybe not specializing, but just working with kids???

I'm not even a beginner yet, please shower me with all you guys' expertise!

Thanks again!

ShantiShanti

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Permalink Reply by Scott Sandland on April 28, 2008 at 1:24pm

Hey Shanti-
While I don't work exclusively with children, I've done a lot of work over the years at the Children's Dental Center of Los Angeles. I don't spend much time there anymore due to scheduling, but I really love it over there. I would see anywhere between a dozen and thirty kids a day there with pain and fear issues. Let me tell you, there is a LOT you can do for kids in those situations, and a staff would be very greatful for the obvious benefits it would create for everyone.

Kids are great hypnotic subjects, and in my personal experience can usually get good results starting around the age of 5 (depending on their development, etc.).

I could probably write a book of just case studies I learned from and mistakes I made along the way if I really wanted to, so feel free to ask more specific questions so that I can be helpful.

Talk to you soon,
Scott Sandland

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Permalink Reply by ShantiShanti on April 28, 2008 at 8:56pm

Thank you so much Scott, this is the kind of info I'm wondering about. Bless you for doing what you can, when you can, for these little ones! Thanks!

I would think kids would be great hypnotic subjects, they're so imaginitive, trusting. I"ve seen kids with different cancers writings and drawings about how they imagine their battles with their own cancer cells, how they over come them and then how their therapies go in real life. I am certain that is a form of self hypnosis eh? Very interesting!

I work at the present time with mainly geriatric patients and looking forward to applying my (at present) small knowledge base to them as well. I am very excited with the prospect of acquiring the abiities to help even more than I am presently able to. I have always been able to incorporate a bit of guided imagery for my patients, which patients are normally grateful for.

But really, I think kids would especially be able to benefit. Actually, babies really are my heart, and I have had good results with Reiki or "hands on healing" with the very littlest ones. I began this when I was working in cardiology and simply doing ekg's on 36 weeks (and earlier!) crack premies in the neonatal ICU (made it much easier to get ekg's done when the babies are quieted and holding more still - lol!). Pretty sure you can't very well hypnotize an infant though.... right?

I do not practise pediatric nursing because I can't stand inflicting any more discomfort (IV starts, etc.) to kids than they are already going through, and most times do not understand. Even when I pick up hours in ER, I will pass on the peds patients unless they're a bit older, say, 10 and up and can understand that I'm not poking them for no reason.

Learning another way to help is very exciting for me. As of now, I don't have specific questions, as I have not received ANY training, so I simply don't know what questions to ask. I want to add you as a friend, for as the months go by and I do become knowledgable, I am sure I'll have some questions maybe you can help with - thanks so much for your reply Scott!!! And thanks on behalf of the kids, I know they can't always thank you in person.

ShantiShanti

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Permalink Reply by Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com on April 29, 2008 at 11:12pm

http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=pediatric+hypnosis&hl=en&am...

The above link is worth reading for those interested in pediatric hypnosis.

On my "Inductions and Deepeners Vol. 2" video, I have examples of two inductions with children, one using a Teddy Bear. Also have it in my book of the same title.

Children make great subjects becasue theyy are free from objections and adult skepticism.

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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on April 30, 2008 at 6:44am

An excellent book that may give you ideas on how to help children with creative story-building is "Narrative Therapies with Children and Adolescents" edited by Craig Smith and David Nylund. It contains many case examples of the use of drama, art, play and humor in engaging with children in their own language and perspective. Hypnotists often incorporate stories (pioneered by one infamous Milton Erickson) in therapeutic sessions for clients of any age. This approach is so wonderful when working with kids, who, by the way, live in their own state of hypnosis most of the time!

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Permalink Reply by Brian David Phillips on April 30, 2008 at 3:10pm

Shanti, children are in many ways far easier to work with than adults as far as hypnosis is concerned. There are a few folks who do a great deal of work along those lines and others who have training products available. Specialists, yes, but I don't know of anyone who works with kids exclusively. The link Richard posted seems to be worth an exploration, lots of good resources. There are a few inductions for kids at the exchange http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hypnosistechniqueexchange along with previous discussions (just type in "children" or "kids" in the search form in the message archive.

One thing I have learned from experience is that kids don't require a "formal" induction. Just give 'em something to engage their imaginations and you're off. The "big toe induction" and the "children's television" induction work great. Make it experiential and they will go with it.

- Brian

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Permalink Reply by ShantiShanti on June 5, 2008 at 8:13am

Hi Kelley - super! I actually have quite a bit of training in drama and theatre - (my first love/major back in the day but knew I'd never make a buck at it - hmmm, was i wrong?).

I love it - they live in their own state of hypnosis most of the time - I think you hit the nail on the head there, I'd love to be able to use your comment in the future if it comes up for research? I'm thinking that is so very true. Very magical thinking, the mind of a child and that is precious.

Love and light to you!

ShantiShanti

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Permalink Reply by ShantiShanti on June 5, 2008 at 8:15am

Thanks Brian - love watching all your vid's on youtube and such - you rock kid! LOL! I'm hoping to begin training in the fall and I hope I can ask you some questions along the way, I like your style.

ShantiShanti

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Permalink Reply by ShantiShanti on June 5, 2008 at 8:18am

Thanks so much! I will most certainly check out your links and scripts. I do understand the hearing issues with kids, with their voices being so high pitched. Thankfully, I don't have this problem with hearing. I have very sensitive hearing, as well as perfect pitch musically. It's not easy and I appreciate that you understand this. There are those who can learn from your wisdom/knowledge and take up the flag, so to speak. Thanks for your recommendations!

ShantiShanti

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Permalink Reply by ShantiShanti on June 5, 2008 at 8:24am

Ms. Johnson - I tried to check your website off your personal page, but link came back not working - perhaps it's entered incorrectly? I'm just in Michigan, would love to hook up with you for dinner/ cocktails whatever next time we're in Niagara - love the city/falls! Perhaps this summer sometime? I've only been there once with international guests and would love to return.

Love and light to you my friend!

ShantiShanti

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Permalink Reply by ShantiShanti on June 5, 2008 at 8:41am

Hi Richard! Will for sure check out your advised links now. That is what I was thinking, that the kids are so free of skepticism and "adult" objections, they'd be great candidates for hypnotherapy. In the past, my passion was drama and theatre and this plays so much into that. Combo of nursing and drama/theatre.... perfect for working with kids, IMHO, though I'm just in the beginning stages of training. I'm so grateful for folks helping me out who have so much knowledge and experience, I do thank you!!!!!!

My own son has a teddy bear given to him by EMS (emergency medical services - paramedics) who he dubbed "Mama Bear", who ( funny to refer to mama bear as a person, but to him, She is), helped him through a very traumatic episode in his life. I'll be interested in learning about the teddy bear inductions, I know Liam so loves "Mama Bear", as he calls her.

I also have my oldest daughter who is dead-set on working Pediatric Oncology at Childrens Hospital in Detroit. (I work for the same company, Detroit Medical Centers, though not with kids). She is currently working for a place in nursing school (hopefully 2010) and will then be working at Childrens, best case scenario.

I also have a very dear friend as well as another accquaintance who teaches at the nursing school she will be attending, I'd love to be able to talk to them about hypnosis for children as a viable/profitable therapy for these kids. I truely believe hypnotherapy would be exceptionally helpful for sick children and I'd love to be able to further or increase the confidence in professionals to use hypnotherapy as part of the therapeutic milleau for this patient group.

Love and light to you!

ShantiShanti

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