Some children are more highly strung or emotional than others. They may get upset more easily or be much more sensitive to other people’s communications. Adults can misinterpret this as wrong, as their child having emotional problems and they over-pathologise the child, giving unnecessary drugs which are far too strong and disruptive to their little bodies. It is tragic how many children have been labelled with having mental illness and given drugs when what they actually needed was mental training.
As well as being an experienced psychotherapist and clinical hypnotherapist, I am also a naturopath and look at the full medical history and what may be changed regarding diet and lifestyle. Some children are extremely allergic to certain foods and chemical exposures. At such a young age they are also often more profoundly affected by allergens than adults because their immune systems are still developing.
Children are a delight to work with in therapy because they are so receptive to new ideas and learning new things. They are like little sponges waiting to soak up new knowledge and learn new skills. They are also very flexible and able to change. It is the nature of other developing brains. Hypnosis is excellent for children as they have very active imaginations, as any parent knows. They are much more likely to tell you what they can do rather that what they cannot.
Emotional stability in children and adults begins with good mental training in childhood. I teach children how to operate their brains and regulate and control their emotions. It is very important to teach this to children because if they grow up not being able to do this they will become adults who also have no control over their emotions.
I also work with parents in the session to help them help their children. We are meant to have emotions and enjoy them, rather than being labelled as having emotional problems. They are one of nature’s ways of motivating us to get from one experience to another. Good control over your emotions is necessary for a balanced life of wellbeing for children and adults.
