Working with kids—especially teens—requires a different kind of presence. A different kind of patience. And a deep understanding that while the challenges they face may appear smaller on the surface, the weight those issues carry in their hearts and minds is very real.
In my work with children, some as young as 10, I’ve sat with wide-eyed silence, emotional shutdowns, angry outbursts, and anxious tears. I’ve watched as little fists clenched from overwhelm, and voices cracked under the pressure of trying to “hold it all together.”
And I’ve seen the transformation that happens when a safe space is created—one where they can explore their inner world without judgment, pressure, or forced expectations.
Every child is unique.
Every session is personal.
And the privilege to walk with them on their healing journey is never taken lightly.
The Landscape of Childhood Anxiety and Stress
Today’s kids are under pressures we never dreamed of. Between academic demands, social media comparisons, friendship drama, home tension, and the burden of global anxiety, it’s no wonder we’re seeing more kids overwhelmed, irritable, sleepless, or emotionally reactive.
Parents notice things like:
- Mood swings or unexplained outbursts
- Withdrawn or avoidant behavior
- Trouble concentrating
- Difficulty sleeping
- Physical complaints like stomach aches or headaches
And often, they don’t know where to turn. Medication is sometimes discussed, but not always desired. Traditional talk therapy doesn’t always resonate—especially when kids can’t find the words to explain what’s happening inside.
That’s where I come in.
Creating the Space: The Power of Permission and Presence
The first step in working with children isn’t technique—it’s trust. Kids can smell pretense. They know when someone’s just “doing a job” or checking boxes. What they need is presence. Realness. The kind of calm, grounded energy that says:
You are safe here.
You are seen.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Parents or guardians are always welcome in the room. I never shut them out—but I also respect the child’s need for autonomy. Sometimes the child wants Mom or Dad to stay close. Other times, they’ll look over and say, “Can you wait outside?”
That’s a good sign. It means they feel safe enough with me to be honest—to open up, explore, cry, vent, laugh, and just be.
That kind of safety is healing in and of itself.
The Toolkit: Hypnosis, MEMI, Tapping, and Storytelling
While no two children are the same, my approach often combines a blend of proven modalities that help calm the nervous system, reframe thinking, and teach emotional regulation in ways kids can actually use.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
1. Hypnosis (Yes—Kids Are Amazing at It)
Children are naturally hypnotic. Their imagination is already active. They spend much of their day in a trance-like state—lost in games, stories, dreams. Hypnosis simply guides that natural ability toward healing.
With kids, I never make it mysterious or weird. It’s more like guided imagination. We build metaphors. We create mental safe spaces. We visualize strength. We talk to fear and teach it how to help instead of harm.
A child who once trembled walking into school might, after a few sessions, anchor a sense of calm with a simple breath and a phrase we created together. They learn that their mind isn’t the enemy—it’s a powerful ally.
2. MEMI (Multi-Channel Eye Movement Integration)
Eye movement techniques—like MEMI—are gentle, effective tools for helping children process difficult emotional experiences without needing to relive trauma or go into deep verbal detail.
Through guided eye movements and minimal talking, we help the brain “reprocess” the emotional memory so it no longer triggers the same stress response. It’s subtle. It’s safe. And kids often leave the session saying, “I feel lighter,” or “I don’t feel that stuck feeling anymore.”
Parents are often amazed at the shifts. What felt like months of bottled-up frustration, fear, or sadness begins to dissolve after just a few sessions of this powerful technique.
3. Tapping (EFT – Emotional Freedom Technique)
Tapping is one of the most accessible and empowering tools I teach kids. It’s simple, hands-on, and makes sense to them.
We tap on acupressure points while saying affirmations, calming thoughts, or naming what we’re feeling. It lowers stress in real time and gives kids a sense of agency—a way to do something when emotions feel too big.
I’ve had teens use it before exams, during social tension, or even to fall asleep when their thoughts were racing. Once they learn it, it becomes theirs. And that sense of control over their inner world is powerful.
4. Mindfulness and Breathing
Many anxious kids don’t realize they’re holding their breath or shallow-breathing all day. Teaching basic mindfulness and breathwork opens the door to regulation.
Sometimes we count breaths. Other times we create calming rituals or anchors—like a special word, image, or object that brings them back to center.
Mindfulness gives kids permission to pause. To stop spiraling. To return to the moment and realize: “Right now, I’m safe. Right now, I’m okay.”
That awareness is gold.
5. Storytelling: Healing Through Imagination
Stories bypass resistance. They speak to the unconscious. And they allow children to see themselves as heroes in their own narrative.
In sessions, I’ll often create short metaphoric stories based on their situation:
- A lion learning to roar again after being silenced
- A bird learning to fly even with one wing healing
- A tree whose roots grew strong through storms
These stories are personalized. Symbolic. Sometimes they’re funny. Sometimes they’re tearful. But always, they land.
The child walks away not just with a new story—but with a new sense of identity.
Every Child Is Unique
There’s no cookie-cutter plan. What works for one anxious teen may not work for another. Some kids open up in minutes. Others take weeks. Some love visualization. Others prefer tapping or movement. Some need quiet. Others need to laugh, cry, and talk it out.
That’s the beauty of this work. It’s not rigid. It’s relational.
My job is to listen first. To observe. To adapt. To meet the child where they are—and guide them gently, steadily, toward where they want to be.
Trust: The Sacred Responsibility
When a parent brings their child to me, I never take that lightly. That’s not just a client—it’s their world. Their heart. Their most vulnerable relationship.
And when a child opens up—tells me what they’re afraid of, what they don’t understand, what hurts—I don’t take that lightly either.
Healing doesn’t come from a script. It comes from connection. From showing up consistently, gently, and without judgment.
That kind of trust isn’t given lightly. It’s earned. And I protect it fiercely.
The Parents’ Role: Support, Not Pressure
Parents, if you’re reading this: your child is not broken.
They’re not “bad” or “too sensitive” or “overdramatic.”
They’re struggling. And they’re trying to find their way through it the best they can.
Your presence matters. Your tone matters. The way you respond when they’re melting down—that matters.
I encourage parents to be involved, but not controlling. To stay informed, but not intrusive. The goal is to create a united front—not a pressure cooker.
Your calm confidence gives them permission to believe healing is possible.
Your patience helps them slow down and stop expecting perfection.
Your love—expressed clearly, daily—anchors them more than you know.
What Real Change Looks Like
Healing isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes, it’s subtle:
- A child who used to hide during class now raises their hand
- A teen who struggled to sleep now falls asleep without anxiety
- A young boy who bottled up anger now uses words instead of fists
- A quiet girl who once whispered now shares how she really feels
Sometimes, the transformation is internal. Sometimes, it’s obvious. But either way, it’s real. And it’s possible.
The Journey Is Worth It
Children are resilient. More resilient than we give them credit for.
But even the strongest kids need support.
They need someone who sees past the behavior.
Someone who knows how to speak to the part of them that wants to be brave—but doesn’t know how yet.
That’s what this work is about.
It’s not about fixing kids.
It’s about guiding them back to the parts of themselves they forgot they had.
It’s about giving them tools they can use for life.
It’s about planting seeds of strength, calm, and courage—and watching them grow.
If your child is struggling, please know this:
There’s hope.
There’s help.
And healing is possible.
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