Is your adolescent struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or trauma? Have they lost someone important and resist talking about it, fearing it will only make things worse? If so, Ericksonian hypnotherapy may offer a way for teens to heal without the pressure of verbalizing their pain.
Teens often avoid discussing painful topics, fearing they’ll be overwhelmed by emotions they don’t yet know how to manage. Well-meaning caregivers may offer to talk, but for a teen struggling to stay afloat emotionally, this can feel like too much. You’re caught in a dilemma—you know your teen is suffering, but they resist traditional conversations about their struggles. Ericksonian hypnosis offers a different path, helping them process emotions and develop coping skills without requiring them to put their experiences into words.
Common Issues Addressed with Hypnosis
I frequently use hypnosis with teens to help with:
Sleep problems, nightmares, or night terrors (often linked to trauma)
Anxiety and excessive worry
Lack of motivation (often due to depression or mood disorders)
Unresolved grief
Uncertainty about their future or life direction.
Why Ericksonian Hypnosis?
Unlike directive hypnosis, which relies on commands, Ericksonian hypnotherapy is creative and permissive—an approach that works well with adolescents who resist being told what to do. Based on the work of Dr. Milton H. Erickson, this method bypasses power struggles by gently guiding teens into a relaxed state where their unconscious mind can explore solutions. Instead of dictating what they should think or feel, I help them access their own inner wisdom, while also introducing beneficial skills and ideas they may not have considered.
Hypnotherapy for Sleep Issues
Quality sleep is vital for a teen’s well-being, yet many struggle with it due to academic pressure, social media, anxiety, or trauma-related nightmares. Some experience night terrors or panic attacks in their sleep, feeling trapped between past trauma and future worries. Hypnosis helps teens reconnect with their bodies and emotions in a way that fosters relaxation and sleep. If trauma is the root cause, we can work through those experiences in a gentle, empowering way.
Managing Anxiety with Hypnosis
Today’s world is overwhelming—even for adults with fully developed brains. For teens, anxiety can stem from academic expectations, social pressures, identity exploration, environmental concerns, and self-worth struggles. Many also experience social anxiety, particularly when speaking in class or interacting with peers.
Hypnotherapy helps teens become more comfortable with uncertainty, quiet their inner critic, and challenge negative thoughts. They learn to discern whose opinions truly matter and to cultivate a sense of self-worth. After sessions, they receive a recording to reinforce what they’ve learned, offering a tool they can use whenever needed.
Overcoming Lack of Motivation
Depressed teens often struggle to find meaning in daily activities. They know they have responsibilities—homework, chores, social obligations—but they just don’t care. This can be frustrating for both them and their families.
Through hypnosis, teens can explore what truly matters to them. They envision possible futures and experiment with new ideas in a risk-free mental space. Whether it’s improving grades to play a sport or discovering long-term career aspirations, hypnosis helps them reconnect with their inner motivation.
Addressing Unresolved Grief
Grief is difficult at any age, but teens lack the emotional maturity to process it the way adults do. Some withdraw into isolation, while others express grief in ways that may seem confusing or frustrating to those around them.
Hypnosis provides a gentle way to face loss. In a hypnotic state, teens can revisit memories, say unspoken goodbyes, or comfort their younger selves. This approach allows them to process grief without the interference of logic or the barriers of their conscious mind.
Finding Life Direction with Ericksonian Hypnosis for Teens
As high school graduation approaches, many teens feel overwhelmed by life’s big decisions. Should they go to college, take a gap year, or pursue trade school? What if they choose the wrong major or career path?
Hypnosis can help teens access their unconscious wisdom and explore what truly resonates with them. In this relaxed, focused state, they can quiet external pressures and gain clarity about their future.
Take the Next Step
These are just some of the ways Ericksonian hypnosis can help teens. If your adolescent is struggling and open to trying clinical hypnosis, please call me at 661-233-6771 or click the contact button below to learn more.