Healing and Hypnotherapy Volume 5, Special Issue, 15 June 2021 | Page 25

children are fun and interesting , as each one must captivate the child in its own way , to help them buy into the process as much as possible .
We have to adapt our techniques to suit the age and understanding of the young person , but also to match their interests and hobbies . Only then can we fully engage them .
Not all hypnotherapy is created equal
Seeing pupils in a school-based setting poses some unique differences compared with a clinical situation . It comes with its fair share of challenges – you ’ re constantly contending with noises and interruptions , and being on the move means you need a portable chair and other resources .
But on the other hand , you have staff on hand ready to provide positive feedback and help reinforce your suggestions . These staff are an incredibly valuable resource and we often capitalise on this in the HISP .
Most HISP sessions are conducted individually , but some of the breathing techniques and imagery can be taught to whole classes , and some sessions ( e . g ., for exam anxiety ) can be conducted in small groups , making them more cost-effective for schools with limited budgets .
We ’ ve even developed sessions for staff after they saw the benefits their pupils were experiencing . After all , the wellbeing of staff is equally as important as the pupils . Happy , relaxed staff can undoubtedly teach better and provide more effective support for the pupils in their care .
So does it actually work ? You bet it does
The evidence for the effectiveness of the HISP is compelling . The latest figures taken from pupils who have had HISP show that 75 % of pupils achieve or exceed at least one of their targets , while 97 % of those that complete the program achieve at least a 75 % progression towards at least one target .
Schools are under pressure to demonstrate impact and prove that what they spend their money on works , so these statistics are very encouraging and show that hypnotherapy can give a significant result in a relatively short space of time .
And it works for more than just anxiety