As a former school Chair of governors over many years, I genuinely enjoy working with children and teenagers. Their imaginations are powerful — and the same imagination that can create worry or fear can also create the solution.
When I work with young people, building trust is essential. I am not afraid to be light-hearted or even a little silly when appropriate, because connection creates safety. When a child feels safe, their mind relaxes — and when the mind relaxes, change becomes possible.
In the therapy room, I explain how their brain works in a way that is simple, engaging and empowering. When children understand that their mind is trying to protect them — even if it’s doing so in an unhelpful way — they often feel relieved. They begin to see that they are not “broken,” and that they can take back control.
As a parent or guardian, you may know how easily suggestions can be rejected. A well-meant “Why don’t you just…?” can sometimes be met with resistance, silence or a shrug of the shoulders. Particularly with teenagers, asking “What’s wrong?” often results in “I don’t know.”
Using carefully framed, solution-focused questions, I help young people explore what is really going on — even when they struggle to put it into words themselves. Often parents are unaware of the full extent of their child’s worries, and that is completely understandable. The aim is never to blame, but to work together as a team to support the child.
Laughter and lightness are not unprofessional — they are therapeutic. When a child feels relaxed and at ease, their mind becomes more open to new ideas and healthier thought patterns.
There are many reasons a child or teenager may feel anxious, low or overwhelmed, including:
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Lack of confidence or performance anxiety
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Concerns about body changes
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Difficulties at school with studies, teachers or peers
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Phobias (such as fear of the dark, sleep, dentists or needles)
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Embarrassment around habits like bed-wetting or thumb sucking
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Changes at home, such as a new sibling or family tensions
It is important to recognise that behaviour always serves a purpose. Our work together focuses on understanding that purpose and building healthier, more helpful patterns instead.
Signs that anxiety may be present can include:
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Ongoing physical complaints
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Changes in eating habits
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Sleep difficulties, nightmares or sleepwalking
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Withdrawal or unusual quietness
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Bed-wetting
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Anger or mood swings
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Concentration problems
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Weight changes
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Risk-taking behaviours
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Persistent sadness
Children’s minds are not yet fully rational in the way adult minds are. What may seem small from an adult perspective can feel enormous to a child. This is where therapy can be particularly helpful — we use the child’s own imagination and creativity to generate solutions that feel natural to them.
Children and teenagers often respond very well to hypnotherapy and coaching — provided they are willing to engage and recognise that something needs to change. On the rare occasion that I feel hypnotherapy is not the appropriate support, I will always be open and honest. If symptoms suggest a need for medical or specialist intervention, I will advise accordingly.
The goal is simple: to help young people feel calmer, more confident and better equipped to navigate life in their own way.
I usually work with children aged eight years and over.
Before beginning therapy, I strongly recommend an initial consultation with parents or guardians. This allows us to discuss your child’s difficulties, explore how change happens and ensure everyone feels informed and comfortable with the process. If appropriate, the initial consultation can also take place together so that your child feels supported and able to contribute where they wish.
Following this, therapy sessions are normally conducted on a one-to-one basis — provided your child feels comfortable and willing to engage. A child’s readiness and cooperation are essential for positive change.
I work to clear professional and ethical standards, and confidentiality applies to children just as it does to adults. This helps create a safe and trusting environment where young people feel able to speak openly.
If I ever have concerns about a child’s wellbeing or safety, I will discuss this with the parent or guardian. Wherever possible, I would encourage the child to be part of that conversation so that transparency and trust are maintained.
For your reassurance, I hold an up-to-date DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
My priority is always to create a safe, supportive and respectful space for both child and parent, working together in the child’s best interests.
Children are naturally more vulnerable to anxiety because they are still learning how to interpret situations, communicate their needs and regulate their emotions. Their brains are developing, and their imagination is powerful.
As a result, something that may seem small to an adult can quickly feel overwhelming to a child. A minor worry can grow into something much larger simply because their imagination fills in the gaps.
In therapy, we use that same imagination in a positive and empowering way. Through hypnotherapy, I help children understand what is happening in their minds and regain perspective. By working with their own thoughts, strengths and personality, they learn how to calm their fears and respond more confidently.
The goal is not to dismiss their feelings, but to help them feel safe, capable and back in control of their own mind.