Hypnotherapy with young persons, from the ages of approximately 13 to 21 years old, can often produce extraordinarily powerful results. One reason is that their minds are so open and flexible, so that the process of change is easily assimilated into their own current growth and development. In addition, their personality and self- esteem are still being formed by incorporating the "messages" conveyed by the words and behavior of family, authority figures and peers. Positive suggestions absorbed in trance give them the necessary emotional support and nurturing that they need. Of course, all adolescent problems have a high degree of probability of being associated with substance abuse, if not developing addiction or alcoholism, which is another question. I have helped teenagers emerge from intensifying downward spirals of anxiety, panic and depression, subsequent to having a bad experience with alcohol and/or drugs, some kind of a “bad trip.”

The common antecedent to many adolescent problems is parental conflict, especially separation and divorce. Adults usually have little idea how these events devastate a child's sense of security. A rapid drop in academic levels, or sudden negative behavioral changes, (if not the result of alcohol/drug problems, another common cause), frequently indicates a problem at home. Remarriage often brings on or further aggravates difficulties. Much of the time the child is classed as either mad or bad, when in fact they are caught in emotional traps. Because young people are very in touch with their situations and emotions, especially in trance, it is often quite a simple process to assist them obtain relief, if you can gain their trust. Absolute non-judgmental genuine sincerity is a must. Many require no more than four or five sessions, of two hours plus, for virtual elimination of their troubles. Simultaneous initiation of ongoing emotional improvement processes via suggestion therapy adds many more benefits. Realizing that a person's life may be radically improved for fifty or more years is personally very rewarding to me. Also, my own adolescence was so disastrous, agonizing and bereft, that I have a deep compassion and understanding of troubled teenagers, and love to provide them with the assistance I never knew I needed, and of course did not get.

Serious problems such as trichotillomania, (compulsive pulling out of hair and eyelashes), obsessive hand washing, night terrors, and so forth, have also yielded to my hypnotic ministrations. I have helped a succession of young males reverse declining grades and other unacceptable behavior problems at school, by resolving resentment regarding a stepfather, especially if the stepfather is "mistreating" a mother the son is very close to. Unfortunately, when a young person gets poor grades, not knowing when this is the result of emotional stress, they may conclude, (on their own or with the assistance of authority figures), that they are stupid, and then begin to regard themselves as a failure. In fact, I have retroactively dealt with these issues in adults, still carrying scars to their self-esteem from precisely this sequence.

Till the next time, c. 2007. Brian Green. http://www.mindmagic123.com