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Hypnosis for
Kids and Teens:
Practical Tips That Work
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Let’s be honest. Clients aren’t the only ones who fall into trances. We do it too. And one of the sneakiest trances out there is the trance of overthinking. You’ve seen it in t know that. Their subconscious has sold them a story of danger. And because the mind is powerful, that story feels real.
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This is where burnout hides for us as therapists too. It’s not just the long hours or the endless paperwork. Burnout often shows up because we start buying into the trance that says I must control everything. We try to plan every outcome, protect every person, anticipate every disaster. The problem is, the world doesn’t play by those rules. When our brain insists that it should, the mismatch creates stress, fear, and exhaustion.
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Zac and I talked about this in the latest podcast, and we laughed at how often we catch ourselves doing the same thing. It’s humbling. We know the tools, we teach the tools, but still we find ourselves running the same old loop. That’s the nature of trance… it pulls you in before you even know it.
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When we walk into a session with a client, we’ve learned to spot a few patterns that point toward toxic trances.
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The first thing we notice is identity. If a client’s sense of worth is tied only to outcomes, they’re standing on shaky ground. Identity has to come first. Who they are, separate from the chaos of their life, is the anchor. Without that, every wave knocks them flat.
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Then we look at obstacles. Clients love to wrestle with problems that are still miles away. They waste their strength shadow-boxing. It’s our job to bring them closer to what’s real. Only then can they measure the obstacle, scale it, and move forward.
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Finally, we look at planning. Planning is healthy. It’s like putting on a seatbelt before driving. But over-planning is panic in disguise. If a client rehearses every possible crash, they are already living in accidents that never happened. Our role is to help them notice that difference.
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One of the most practical ways to shift this trance is through simple metaphors. In session, we might say:
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“Notice the safety that’s already here, in this room.”
“Your breath steadies you without you having to try.”
“Imagine walking toward a wall. Details only show up when you get close. Not before.”
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Each line pulls them gently back to the present. Their body starts to calm. Their subconscious loosens its grip on the story of helplessness. It’s no secret trick, it’s just giving the mind another choice besides fear.
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If we don’t practice this ourselves, clients will see right through us. If we are over-planning, tense, or burnt out, they will pick up on it. Healing is contagious, but so is fear.
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This work isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being steady enough that our clients borrow some of our balance while they find their own.
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Want To Hear The Full Conversation, Jokes, And All?
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Check out our latest Tripping Off Podcast episode. Subscribe on YouTube or Spotify.
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And if you’re ready to build deeper skills that stop burnout before it starts, join our Trauma Focused Hypnotherapy Certification Course. We’ll give you the tools, the community, and the confidence to help your clients shift their trances into growth.
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Think hypnosis is stage magic? Think again. ✨ Treating Complex Trauma with Hypnotherapy is happening on October 10, 2025, 9:00–10:30 AM (EDT) via Zoom!, led by Zac Dodson and Jesse Lyon. In this Zoom training, you’ll discover how Trauma Focused Hypnotherapy is transforming the way professionals understand and treat trauma.
Register now at mhccf.wildapricot.org/event-6341917
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Co-Founders of Trauma Focused Hypnotherapy
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PS: Want to talk with us live and get suggestions for your daily sessions? Join our TFH Discord Community! Click here to connect!
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