Helping Children Feel Calm, Confident, and In Control
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy for children struggling with anxiety, sleep issues, confidence, fears, and emotional overwhelm — in a safe, gentle, and evidence-based way.
Please contact me for more information on my services or to book an appointment.
laura@brighterfuturetherapypractice.com
+44 (0)7564 966738
Contact Me To Discuss Your Child’s Needs
“Laura was wonderful with my daughter made her feel calm and comfortable at every session and was extremely understanding when my daughter was unable to attend her sessions. ” CB
“My son now understands what he needs to do to help his low mood and gained a better understanding of the thoughts from his brain and coping mechanisms” KB
“My 9 year old struggles with anxiety and school avoidance. We were looking for someone to help, due to the huge NHS wait list, for a possible diagnosis. We knew Laura as a fellow school mum and did not hesitate to book a 6 session block to help. Everything we tried didn’t work. Laura was amazing, she took time getting to know my daughter and incorporated some mindfulness techniques along with positive affirmations. On completion, our daughter was less anxious, more school ready and for the first time, she come out the school gate happy rather than a melt down. I can’t recommend Laura enough, thank you” HK
What Hypnotherapy Can Help With
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Separation Anxiety
Most children will suffer a degree of separation anxiety at some point in their early childhood as a natural part of development. However, this can become a serious problem and between 2% and 5% of children can be classified as having Separation Anxiety Disorder. Brighter Future hypnotherapy programme is designed to help your child overcome separation anxiety, allowing you and them to regain control of your lives.
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Sleeping Difficulties
There are many different types of sleep problems encountered by children. Most have accompanying or underlying anxiety with worrying thoughts and feelings preventing a restful sleep. Other factors can be fear of the dark, fear of monsters or disturbing dreams or nightmares. Brighter Future hypnotherapy programme can help you improve your child's sleep quality and establish healthy sleep patterns.
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Being Bullied
Bullying is carried out in a variety of everyday situations and is a serious problem which can result in low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, underachievement and even self-harm. Brighter Future hypnotherapy programme gives an opportunity for children to relax and release tension and can help raise self-esteem and confidence levels.
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Bed Wetting and Soiling
Bedwetting (Enuresis) is the unintentional passing of urine during sleep at night. This can occur for a variety of reasons including emotional stress, habit and a mindset of lack of control. Encopresis is the process of soiling underwear or passing faeces in inappropriate places. This can occur as a result of constipation and emotional problems. Brighter Future hypnotherapy programme provides a natural and safe approach to coping with bedwetting and soiling.
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Behaviour Problems
Behaviour problems can occur at any stage of development. Reasons can be many and various and behaviour can temporarily worsen because of changes in the school or home environment. Brighter Future hypnotherapy programme can help by building self-esteem, identifying when behaviour is better and working with the child to determine a reason for them to want to improve.
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Learning and Exams
Children who lack confidence, underachieve, find it hard to focus, or experience anxiety when faced with tests and exams can benefit from solution-focused hypnotherapy. Brighter Future hypnotherapy programme can boost self-image and self-confidence, help discover and emphasise individual strengths, improve listening and concentration skills and strengthen perseverance.
How Does Solution Focused Hypnotherapy For Children And Teenagers Work?
The first step is to reach out to discuss your child’s needs and how Brighter Future Therapy Practice can help - contact us.
We can then arrange an initial consultation for you and your child to attend together. During this initial consultation we will discuss the child’s individual needs and explain in a child-friendly format how the brain works and why it is making them feel as they do.
If both you and your child are happy to proceed with sessions, we will work with the child to help them:
Understand how the brain tries to protect us and why this can make us feel the way we do
Learn tools to calm and reframe negative thoughts
Develop a more positive, solution-focused mindset
Reinforce calm and confidence through relaxing hypnosis
Each session is structured as follows:
A discussion of “what’s been good?” to focus your child’s brain on the positives and put them into their intellectual brain. These do not need to be big things - perhaps they watched their favourite tv show, scored a goal at football or worked really hard on their homework…
Brain revision to remind them of the neuroscience behind our work and the importance of having good sleep, doing things that they enjoy, interacting with people who make them happy and having positive thoughts
A simple scaling exercise to determine how they are feeling this week and what would move them slightly up the happiness scale
A visualisation exercise to expand on what their preferred future would look like, how they will feel when you get there and what small step they can take to move in that direction
A fun and age-appropriate guided relaxation to help with sleep
Many children enjoy their sessions and look forward to the one-on-one time.
How Solution Focused Hypnotherapy Helps Children And Teenagers
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy Helps Children and Teenagers to:
Improve emotional resilience
Relax more and sleep better
Develop increased confidence and self-belief
Reduce anxiety and fears
Improve focus and behaviour
Feel happier and more in control
How Harry Overcame His Compulsive Thoughts Using Solution Focused Hypnotherapy
(Details changed for confidentiality reasons)
Harry was a 13 year old boy who had been experiencing increasingly frequent and frightening compulsive thoughts. His racing brain would keep him up at night and he was tired in the morning to attend school. This led to him withdrawing from his friends and falling behind with his schoolwork.
Over the course of 10 sessions Harry learnt to control his compulsive thoughts using Solution Focused Hypnotherapy. He achieved this by:
Reducing gaming and screen time particularly in the hour before bed
Spending more time with his father doing activities such as golf which he really enjoyed
Returning to school on a phased basis as his sleep and mood improved
Identifying the habits which worked for him and those that didn’t
Who Will My Child Be Working With?
My name is Laura Bartlett and I am a Child Solution Focused Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapist, with a strong academic and professional background in psychology and evidence-based therapy. I hold a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from Royal Holloway, University of London, alongside a Diploma in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy and a Hypnotherapy in Practice Diploma.
I am a registered member of the Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (AfSFH), fully insured, and hold an enhanced DBS certificate — so you can be confident you are working with a qualified, professional, and ethical practitioner.
I have four children of my own - boys and girls aged 6, 8, 10 and 11 and I adopt a fun, relaxed and child-friendly approach.
Registered member of associations that you can trust
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AfSFH
Membership Number: 2625
The Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapists provides the public with the only dedicated register for Solution Focused Hypnotherapists, and all listed members must be appropriately qualified and insured and abide by the Code of Conduct and professional standards.
As a professional governing body, AfSFH set and monitor standards to ensure all our therapists adhere to the hallmarks of best practice.
All AfSFH registered members are required to engage in at least 21 hours of additional professional development activities per year, including undertaking regular supervision and further training as part of their continuous professional development.
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NCH
Membership Number: 12094
The National Council for Hypnotherapy holds one of the largest registers of independent Hypnotherapists in the United Kingdom and strives to maintain the highest standards among its members.
There is an agreed Code of Conduct, an established Complaints & Disciplinary Procedure and all members are obliged to maintain comprehensive Public Liability & Professional Indemnity Insurance, maintain regular CPD (continuing professional development) hours, and attend Supervision when needed.
Book an initial consultation
Appointments can be in-person in my relaxing therapy room in Hadleigh, Essex or virtually anywhere in the world via Zoom.
A parent or carer is welcome to attend the consultation along with their child.
Book your 45 minute initial consultation with no-obligation to book further sessions.
Book now online or call +44 7564 966738
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is a combination of Psychotherapy and Hypnosis. Psychotherapy in itself is extremely beneficial and its effects are enhanced by the application of Hypnosis, which enables the subconscious mind to make beneficial changes.
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How do children experience trance (hypnosis)?
Children can experience trance differently to adults. They may prefer to do colouring or play with a fidget while they listen to the language pattern. This does not make it any less effective. They do not need to close their eyes or be completely still. They will be in control at all times and cannot be made to do anything that they don’t want to.
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Is hypnotherapy safe for children?
Yes, solution focused hypnotherapy is considered safe and gentle for children when delivered by a properly trained and insured practitioner. It is non-invasive and does not involve medication or physical intervention.
Sessions are tailored to the child’s age and emotional needs, using relaxation, imagination, and positive language. Children remain fully aware, in control, and able to stop at any time.
In the UK, reputable hypnotherapists working with children follow strict safeguarding procedures, professional codes of conduct, and confidentiality guidelines. Parental consent is always required.
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What age can children have solution focused hypnotherapy?
In the UK, children can usually benefit from solution focused hypnotherapy from around 8 years old, depending on their developmental level, attention span, and willingness to engage.
Sessions for younger children are adapted to be shorter, playful, and story-based, while older children and teenagers benefit from more structured discussions and guided relaxation.
An initial parent consultation helps determine whether hypnotherapy is appropriate for your child at their current stage of development.
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Will my child be asleep or lose control?
No. Hypnotherapy is not sleep, and your child will not lose control or be made to do anything they don’t want to do.
Children remain awake, aware, and able to talk throughout the session. Hypnosis is simply a state of focused attention and relaxation—similar to daydreaming or becoming absorbed in a story.
Your child can open their eyes, move, speak, or stop the session at any point.
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Is hypnotherapy suitable for anxious or highly sensitive children?
Yes. Solution focused hypnotherapy is particularly well suited to anxious, sensitive, or emotionally overwhelmed children.
Sessions are calm, positive, and do not require children to relive distressing experiences. Instead, the focus is on helping the brain learn new, healthier responses to stress.
The pace is always guided by the child, ensuring they feel safe and supported throughout.
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Can hypnotherapy help children with ADHD or autism?
Hypnotherapy is not a treatment for ADHD or autism, but many parents find it helpful in supporting associated challenges such as anxiety, emotional regulation, sleep difficulties, or low confidence.
Sessions are adapted to suit neurodivergent children, using clear structure, predictable routines, and flexible communication styles. Suitability is always discussed during an initial consultation.
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How quickly will we see results?
Some children experience noticeable improvements after just a few sessions, while others show gradual change over time.
Every child is different. Factors such as the nature of the issue, consistency between sessions, and support at home can all influence progress. The goal is sustainable change, not quick fixes.
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Is children’s hypnotherapy confidential?
Yes. Sessions are confidential and follow UK data protection (GDPR) and safeguarding guidelines.
Parents are kept informed about progress and general themes, but children’s personal conversations are respected unless there is a safeguarding concern where disclosure is required by law.
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Do you need parental consent?
Yes. In the UK, written parental consent is required before working with a child or young person.
Consent, safeguarding procedures, and confidentiality are explained clearly before therapy begins, ensuring transparency and trust for both parents and children.