Integrating Hypnosis into Clinical Practice:

Hypnosis with Children

Kevin Harrington, Ph.D., LP
Private Practice
39 Annual Workshop in Clinical Hypnosis, June 10-12, 2010, Minneapolis, MN
th

Introductory Workshop Objectives

A. Discuss the importance of child development on hypnosis/hypnotherapy with children and adolescents
B. Discuss the clinical efficacy of child hypnosis
C. List 5 common applications of hypnosis with children

1. Background and Review of Literature

Definition and Characteristics of Hypnosis with Children
Hypnotic Susceptibility in Children
Physiologic Control and Altered States
Literature Review: Applications of Hypnosis in Pediatrics
Ethical Issues
Training and Certification

2. Clinical Issues and Approaches: Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy with

Children
History, Rapport, and Getting Started
Developmental Issues
Therapeutic Communication: The Importance of Language
Explaining Hypnosis to Children and Families
Elements of the Hypnosis Experience for Children
(Induction, Deepening, Therapeutic Suggestion, Re-alerting, Debriefing, Follow-up)

Case Study Examples and Specific Clinical Applications of Hypnosis with Children

39th Annual Workshops in Clinical Hypnosis

Minnesota Society of Clinical Hypnosis
&
University of Minnesota
June 10-12, 2010
Hypnosis with Children - Selected References
Antitch, J.L.S.: The Use of Hypnosis in Pediatric Anesthesia. The Jrnl of the Amer Soc
of Psychosomatic Dentistry and Medicine 14:70-73, 1967.
Baumann, F.: Hypnosis and the Adolescent Drug Abuser. The American Journal of
Clinical Hypnosis 13:17-21, 1970.
Bernstein, N.R.: Observations on the Use of Hypnosis with Burned Children on a
Pediatric Ward. The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 13:110, 1965.
Culbert, T., Reaney, J., and Kohen, D.P. Cyberphysiologic Strategies in Children: The
Biofeedback-Hypnosis Interface. The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental
Hypnosis. April, 1994.
Culbert, T., Kajander, R., Reaney, J., and Kohen, D. P. Uses of Hypnosis and
Biofeedback for Children with Dysphagia Journal of Developmental and Behavioral
Pediatrics, 17:5, 335-341, October, 1996
Dikel, W. and Olness, K.: Self-Hypnosis, Biofeedback, and Voluntary Peripheral
Temperature Control in Children. Pediatrics 66:335-340. September, 1980.
Edwards, S.D. and Van Der Spuy, H.I.J.: Hypnotherapy as a Treatment for Enuresis. J.
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Ewin, D. Hypnotherapy for Warts (verucca vulgaris): 41 consecutive cases with 33
cures. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 35(1),1-10. 1992.
Gardner, G.G.: Parents: Obstacles or Allies in Child Hypnotherapy? The American
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Gardner, G.G.: Hypnotherapy in the Management of Childhood Habit Disorders. The
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Gardner, G.G.: Childhood, Death, and Human Dignity: Hypnotherapy for David. The
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Hogan, M., Olness, K., and MacDonald, J.: The Effects of Hypnosis on Brainstem
Auditory Responses in Children. The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis. 27:91-94,
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Jacknow, D.S., Tschann, J.M., Link, M.P., and Boyce, W.T.: Hypnosis in the Prevention
of Chemotherapy Related Nausea and Vomiting in Children: A Prospective Study
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Kohen, D.P.: Relaxation/Mental Imagery (Self-Hypnosis) and Pelvic Examinations in
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Kohen,D.P., Olness, K.N., Colwell, S., and Heimel, A.: The Use of Relaxation/Mental
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Kohen, D.P.: Applications of Relaxation/Mental Imagery (Self-Hypnosis) in Pediatric
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Kohen, D.P.: Hypnosis With Acting-Out Adolescents. in Zilbergeld, B., Edelstien, M.G.,
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Kohen, D.P. Hypnosis with Children in Hammond, D.C. (Ed.) Handbook of Hypnotic
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Kohen, D.P. Applications of Relaxation and Mental Imagery (Self-Hypnosis) for Habit
Problems Pediatric Annals 20:3, 136-144, March, 1991.
Kohen, D.P., Mahowald, M.W., and Rosen, G.M. Sleep-Terror Disorder in Children:
The Role of Self-Hypnosis in Management American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis
34:4, 233-244, April, 1992.
Kohen, D.P. and Olness, K.N. Hypnotherapy with Children in Rhue, J.W., Lynn, S.J.,
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Kohen, Daniel P. Ericksonian Communication and Hypnotic Strategies in the

Management of Tics and Tourette Syndrome in Children and Adolescents with Tourette
Syndrome in Lankton, S.R. and Zeig, J.K. (Eds.) Difficult Contexts for Therapy Ericksonian Monographs 10 Brunner-Mazel, New York pp. 117-142. 1995.
Kohen, Daniel P. Relaxation/Mental Imagery (Self-Hypnosis) for Childhood Asthma:
Behavioral Outcomes in a Prospective, Controlled Study HYPNOS - The Journal of the
European Society of Hypnosis in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine 22:3, 132144 , September, 1995.
Kohen, Daniel P. Coping with the Stress of Tourette Syndrome in Children
Adolescents: Use of Self-Hypnosis Techniques. The Australian Journal of Clinical and
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Kohen, Daniel P. and Olness, K.N. Self-Regulation Therapy: Helping Children to Help
Themselves. Ambulatory Child Health: The Journal of General and Community
Pediatrics 2: 43-58, July, 1996.
Kohen, Daniel P. Management of Trichotillomania with Relaxation/Mental Imagery (Self
Hypnosis): Experience With Five Children. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral
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Kohen, Daniel P. Teaching Children with Asthma to Help Themselves with
Relaxation/Mental Imagery (Self-Hypnosis) in Matthews, W.J. and Edgette, J.H. (Eds.),
Current Thinking and Research in Brief Therapy: Solutions, Strategies, NarrativesAnnual Publication of the M.H. Erickson Foundation Brunner/Mazel, pp 169-191, 1997.
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Education Program: Uses of Storytelling, Imagery and Relaxation. American Journal of
Clinical Hypnosis 39:3, 2-14, January, 1997.
Kohen, D.P., Mann-Rineheart, P., Schmitz, D., Wills, L. Using Hypnosis to Help Deaf
Children Help Themselves: Report of Two Cases American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis
40:4, 288-296, April, 1998.
Kohen, D.P. Hypnosis in the Treatment of Asthma The Integrative Medicine Consult, 2:6,
61-62, June, 2000
Kohen, D.P. Applications of Clinical Hypnosis with Children in Burrows, G.D., Stanley,
R.O., and Bloom,P.B. (Eds.) International Handbook of Clinical Hypnosis John Wiley
and Sons, LTD, New York pp 309-326, 2001.
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Surgical Patient Charles C. Thomas, LTD., Springfield, IL, pp 138-162, 2001.

Kohen, D.P. and Ondich, S.K.W. Childrens Self-regulation of Cardiovascular Function

with Relaxation/Mental Imagery (Self-Hypnosis): Report of a Controlled Study
HYPNOS-The Journal of European Society of Hypnosis in Psychotherapy and
Psychosomatic Medicine 31:2, 61-74. June, 2004
Kohen, D.P. Teaching the Language of Hypnosis in Kane, S and Olness, K (eds) The
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Kuttner, Leora Helpful Strategies in Working with Preschool Children in Pediatric
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Mills, Joyce C. and Crowley, Richard J. Therapeutic Metaphors for Children and The
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Daniel P. Kohen, M.D., Behavioral Pediatrics Program, University of Minnesota June, 2005