20+ Years Experience | Fully Insured | Online Worldwide

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Empowering Children & Teens to Thrive

Expert Hypnotherapy for Anxiety, Focus, and Emotional Resilience

Growing up today presents unique challenges. From exam pressure and social anxiety to navigating neurodiversity like ADHD or Dyspraxia, young people are often overwhelmed. Hypnotherapy offers a gentle, effective way to help them regain control, build confidence, and develop lifelong emotional tools—all from the safety and comfort of their own home.

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I operate an online practice, conducting all sessions via Google Meet. Experience has shown that children and teenagers respond far better to therapy when they are in their own familiar environment, rather than a clinical office, which can sometimes feel intimidating.

By connecting online, your child can relax in their own safe space (perhaps with a favourite pet nearby), allowing us to bypass initial nervousness and access the subconscious mind more effectively. It creates a relaxed atmosphere where real change happens naturally.

Why Online Sessions via Google Meet Work Best for Young People

Therapy from the Comfort of Home

School Avoidance & Refusal

When a child refuses to go to school, it is rarely just "behavioural"—it is often a coping mechanism for overwhelming anxiety or fear. I work with children to gently uncover the specific triggers causing this avoidance, whether it's separation anxiety, bullying, or academic pressure. By rebuilding their confidence and reducing the "fight or flight" response associated with the school gates, we can help them return to education feeling safe and supported.

Fears, Phobias & Self-Esteem

From a fear of the dark to low self-worth, subconscious blocks can limit a child's happiness. We use the power of their vivid imagination to reframe these narratives, turning fear into autonomy and self-doubt into robust self-belief.

Trauma & PTSD Recovery

Traumatic experiences need a gentle touch. Using safe, non-invasive techniques (including the 6-session PTSD Protocol), I guide young clients through processing these events without the need to relive the pain. This fosters healing and resilience, preventing trauma from defining their future.

ADHD & Neurodiverse Support

For young clients with ADHD or Dyspraxia, hypnotherapy is a fantastic complementary tool. We focus on emotional regulation, self-esteem, and specific techniques to improve focus and impulse control. It’s not about "fixing" them, but giving them the tools to navigate a neurotypical world with confidence.

Academic Performance & Exam Confidence

Tests and exams can trigger immense pressure, blocking memory recall and focus. My sessions are designed to lower exam stress, enhance concentration, and use visualisation to "rehearse" success. This boosts memory retention and ensures they walk into the exam hall feeling prepared and capable.

Anxiety & Stress Management

Whether it’s generalised anxiety, social fears, or panic attacks, I help young people identify the root of their worry. We work together to install powerful coping mechanisms and relaxation techniques that allow them to navigate stressful situations with newfound calm.

How I Can Support Your Child

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Reinforcement Between Sessions: Wiring the Brain for Success

Therapy doesn't end when the video call finishes. The brain learns best through repetition, so to ensure lasting results, I provide a structured support system for the days between our appointments.

Customised Audio Recordings: After our sessions, I often provide a personalised MP3 audio recording for your child or teen to listen to, usually at bedtime.

  • For younger children: These might be "Bedtime Adventures" that help them drift off to sleep while reinforcing feelings of safety and bravery.

  • For teenagers: These are guided relaxation tracks designed to lower cortisol (stress) levels and improve sleep quality.

  • Why this matters: Listening to these tracks as they fall asleep allows the positive suggestions to bypass the critical, busy mind and settle deeply into the subconscious. It is an effortless way to "re-wire" the brain for confidence while they rest.

 

Simple Cognitive Tools: I equip young people with simple, practical tools to use in real-time. This might be a "3-Second Reset" breathing technique to stop a panic attack at school, or a quick "Mental Rehearsal" visualisation to do before a sports match or exam. These tools empower them to manage their own emotions independently, rather than relying solely on therapy.

The Parent's Role

You don't need to be the therapist. Your role is simply to encourage them to listen to their audio tracks. We want to avoid it becoming a "chore," so I will work with your child to make this a part of their routine that they actually look forward to.

The Online Session: What to Expect

Since all sessions are conducted via Google Meet, the setup is simple and stress-free:

  • The Environment: Your child simply needs a quiet place to sit or lie down where they feel comfortable (their bedroom or a quiet lounge). They can have their pet with them or a favourite blanket.

  • The Connection: We connect via a secure video link. This "screen barrier" often makes young people feel safer and more willing to open up than they would be sitting face-to-face with a stranger in a clinic.

  • The Parent's Role: For younger children, you are welcome to sit quietly in the room or just outside the door with the door ajar. For teenagers, it is usually beneficial to give them privacy to build trust, knowing that you are just in the next room if needed.

Tailored specifically for their Age

  • For Children (Approx. ages 6–12): Sessions are fun, interactive, and story-based. I often use metaphors involving superheroes, control rooms, or magical gardens. We don't "talk about feelings" in a heavy clinical way; instead, we go on an adventure where they learn to be the boss of their own thoughts and feelings.

  • For Teenagers (Approx. ages 13–18): Teens are treated with the respect and autonomy of young adults. We move away from "stories" and focus more on practical coaching, neuroscience (explaining why their brain reacts the way it does), and empowering visualisation. The goal is to give them tools they can use independently, boosting their sense of control.

CChildren and teenagers are actually the ideal candidates for hypnotherapy. Unlike adults, who often have layers of critical analysis and skepticism, young people have naturally vivid imaginations. They spend much of their day in a state of 'flow'—whether playing games, daydreaming, or getting lost in a movie. Hypnotherapy simply utilises this natural ability to create positive change.

A Gentle, Imaginative Approach

Why Young People Respond So Well to Hypnotherapy

All sessions are private, confidential, and conducted via secure Google Meet. Your transformation takes place in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Common Questions from Parents

As a parent, it is completely natural to have questions when considering a new form of support for your child. You want to be sure that the therapy is safe, effective, and the right fit for their specific personality. Below are the answers to the questions I am asked most frequently.

If you have a specific concern that isn't covered here, please do bring it up during your free Discovery Call—I am here to put your mind at ease.

If you don’t see your question here, or if you simply want to talk things through, you are always welcome to reach out. You don’t have to figure this out alone—I am here to help you take the next step whenever you feel ready.

📧 Email: paul@paulmatthewshypnosis.ie

📱 WhatsApp: Chat with me on WhatsApp

Do I need to sit in on the session?

For younger children, having a parent quietly in the room or with the door ajar provides comfort. For teenagers, however, it is vital that they feel they have a private, confidential space to speak freely. I recommend parents of teens ensure the young person has privacy, perhaps knowing you are just in the next room if needed.

How many sessions will we need?

Every child is unique, but hypnotherapy is generally considered a "brief therapy." Many parents notice positive shifts after just 2 or 3 sessions. For specific issues like phobias or exam stress, a short block of sessions is often sufficient. For deep-rooted trauma, we may work together a little longer. We will discuss this during your initial Discovery Call.

Does this really work online?

Yes, and often better than in-person sessions for this age group. Children and teens are "digital natives"—they are comfortable communicating through screens. Being in their own bedroom creates a sense of safety that allows them to relax more deeply than they might in a strange clinic office.

Will my child fall asleep during the session?

No, the goal is not sleep. The goal is a "trance" state, which is a state of heightened focus and relaxation. They will be awake, aware of their surroundings, and able to hear everything I say via Google Meet. They can open their eyes and stop the session whenever they wish.

Is hypnotherapy safe for children?

Absolutely. Hypnotherapy is a completely natural, safe, and drug-free therapy. It is not mind control; it is simply a state of focused relaxation, very similar to when your child is daydreaming or completely absorbed in a video game. Your child remains in control at all times and cannot be made to do anything they don't want to do.

Privacy and trust are the cornerstones of my practice. While many clients choose to share their reviews publicly on Google, others prefer to remain private.

The 'non-Google' reviews listed above are shared with strict permission. In some cases, particularly when working with children or sensitive trauma cases, names may have been changed or abbreviated to protect the identity of the client, ensuring their safe space remains secure.

Hear from Parents Who Were Once in Your Shoes

 

It is completely natural to feel uncertain when trying a new therapy for your child. The reviews below come from real families who started exactly where you are now—worried, perhaps a little sceptical, and looking for answers. Here is how they found the relief and results they needed through our online sessions.

 

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Direct line to Paul: If you prefer to text before booking, you can   Chat with me on WhatsApp

Let’s Get Your Child Back to Being Themselves

 

It is easy to hope that it is "just a phase," but if your gut tells you your child is struggling, early support makes all the difference. You don't have to navigate this worry alone anymore.

I know that reaching out to a therapist can feel like a big step, so I have made the process as simple, transparent, and pressure-free as possible.

How to Get Started:

  1. Book Your Free Chat: Click the button below to choose a time on my calendar that suits you.

  2. We Meet Online: We will hop on a 30-minute Google Meet call. You tell me what is going on, and I will answer all your questions.

  3. We Make a Plan: If we feel we are a good fit, we can schedule their first session and start their journey towards confidence immediately.

 

Imagine seeing them smile again—genuinely smile. Imagine them walking into school without the stomach ache, or sleeping soundly through the night. That change is possible, and it starts with a simple conversation.

Book Your Free Discovery Call via Google Meet by clicking the button below:

 

 

 

  • Based in Dublin, providing confidential online hypnotherapy worldwide via Google Meet.

  • Clinical Hypnotherapist & Nutritional

  • Therapist specialising in PTSD, anxiety, addictions, and medical hypnotherapy for pain & IBS.

  • Mission: help 20,000 people reclaim calm, confidence, and control with structured, outcome-tracked programmes.

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