Supporting Children and Adolescents through mental health struggles: How Hypnotherapy, Breathwork, IEMT, and EFT can make a difference

In today's modern and face paced world, children and adolescents face a wide range of mental health challenges that can have a profound impact on their overall well-being. From the pressure of exams and revision stress to the emotional toll of bullying, social challenges, and family issues, young people are often forced to navigate complex emotional landscapes at an early age. These challenges can manifest in ways that affect their mental health, contributing to conditions like anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. 

If you’ve just watched Netflix ‘Adolescence’ the complexities of young minds, navigating the world of social media and hierarchy of social standing is a minefield to navigate and to begin to unpick, for an adult mind, yet alone a young impressionable mind of our children and teens.  

However there are therapeutic techniques—such as Hypnotherapy, Breathwork, Integral Eye Movement Therapy (IEMT), and Emotional Freedom Technique (which is evidence based)—that can offer substantial support in helping children and adolescents overcome these challenges. These techniques are gaining recognition for their ability to help young people not just cope, but truly thrive.

How struggles impact mental health: anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem

It’s no secret that mental health struggles in children and adolescents are on the rise. This generation is facing unique challenges that can sometimes overwhelm their ability to cope.

Exam and Revision Stress. The pressure to perform academically can be overwhelming. For some young people, this pressure builds up into intense anxiety, leading to sleepless nights, physical symptoms such as headaches or stomachaches, and, in some cases, panic attacks. The fear of failure can spiral into a sense of inadequacy, which may contribute to low self-esteem or even depression.

Bullying, whether it’s physical, verbal, or emotional, can have lasting effects on a young person’s mental health. The emotional scars from bullying can leave children feeling isolated, rejected, and worthless. Over time, this can develop into feelings of anxiety and depression, making it harder for them to trust others or find a sense of belonging.

Social Issues and Peer Pressure. Adolescence is a time when young people are figuring out who they are and where they fit in. Social anxiety, peer pressure, and the desire to be accepted can lead to feelings of insecurity and self-doubt. If not managed, these emotions can snowball into more significant mental health struggles, such as depression and generalised anxiety.

Family Issues. Family dynamics are crucial to a child’s emotional development. Whether it’s parental conflict, divorce, financial strain, or neglect, issues at home can leave children feeling emotionally destabilised. This emotional turmoil often manifests in depression, anxiety, and issues with self-worth, as they may internalize the stress and feel helpless.

How therapeutic approaches can help: Hypnotherapy, Breathwork, IEMT, and EFT

While mental health struggles in young people are undeniably challenging, there are holistic therapies that can help alleviate these struggles. These therapeutic approaches target the root causes of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem while promoting emotional healing and mental well-being.

Hypnotherapy: unlocking the power of the subconscious

Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic technique that uses guided relaxation and focused concentration to access the subconscious mind. In a state of deep relaxation, children and adolescents are more open to positive suggestions and new perspectives. This can be a powerful tool for, reducing anxiety and stress Hypnotherapy can help children and teens reframe negative thought patterns that fuel anxiety. By teaching them relaxation techniques and mental imagery, they can develop better coping mechanisms for stress.

  

Building self-esteem, Hypnotherapy can also be used to strengthen self-worth and improve confidence. Through positive affirmations and visualization exercises, a young person can learn to challenge self-doubt and build a stronger sense of self.

Addressing Trauma and Bullying. If bullying or traumatic experiences have left emotional scars, hypnotherapy can guide young people in releasing these negative memories, replacing them with more empowering beliefs.

Breathwork: calming the mind and body

Breathwork involves a variety of breathing techniques that focus on controlling the breath to induce physical and mental relaxation. When children and teens are faced with anxiety, stress, or depression, their breath often becomes shallow or erratic, making it harder to stay calm. Breathwork teaches them how to breathe deeply and intentionally to activate the body’s relaxation response.

Managing stress and anxiety. Regular breathwork practices can help children and adolescents regulate their emotions, reducing the physical symptoms of anxiety and stress. It provides them with a simple yet powerful tool that they can use anywhere to regain control of their emotions.

Improving focus and clarity. For teens facing exam stress or social pressures, breathwork can help clear the mental fog and improve concentration, allowing them to tackle challenges with a calm and clear mind.

Enhancing emotional regulation. Breathwork helps young people become more aware of their emotions and learn to respond to stress in a healthy, balanced way, promoting emotional resilience.

IEMT (Integral Eye Movement Therapy): rewiring negative emotional patterns

IEMT is a unique approach that combines eye movements with cognitive therapy to help individuals process past traumatic memories and negative emotions. It is especially useful for children and adolescents dealing with unresolved trauma, bullying, or emotional pain.

Processing past trauma. IEMT helps young people process difficult memories in a safe, controlled manner. By gently shifting the way the brain processes emotions, IEMT can reduce the emotional intensity associated with past events, making it easier for children and teens to move forward.

Releasing limiting beliefs. Many children and adolescents internalise negative beliefs about themselves, often as a result of bullying, social pressure, or family issues. IEMT can help rewrite these limiting beliefs, helping young people see themselves in a more positive light.

Emotional resilience. IEMT strengthens emotional resilience by helping young people reframe negative thought patterns, making them more capable of dealing with stress, setbacks, and emotional challenges.

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique): tapping into emotional healing

EFT, also known as tapping, involves tapping on specific acupressure points while focusing on emotional challenges. It is evidence based on the belief that tapping on these points helps release blocked energy, facilitating emotional healing.

Reducing anxiety and panic attacks. EFT is particularly effective for children and teens dealing with anxiety or panic attacks. By tapping on specific points while focusing on their emotional distress, they can experience immediate relief and learn to manage anxiety more effectively.

Healing from bullying and low self-esteem. EFT is a powerful tool for addressing feelings of inadequacy, low self-worth, and trauma. By focusing on the emotions associated with bullying or negative experiences, EFT can help young people release these feelings and replace them with a sense of self-love and empowerment.

Improving emotional regulation. Through regular EFT practice, children and adolescents can improve their emotional regulation, helping them better manage stress, frustration, and other intense emotions.

The positive impact of these therapies on children and teen mental health

By integrating these therapeutic approaches, hypnotherapy, breathwork, IEMT, and EFT, into a young person’s mental health care routine, they can gain valuable tools for managing anxiety, depression, bullying, low self-esteem, and the stress that often comes with academic and social challenges. 

These therapies not only address the symptoms of these struggles but also help young people develop healthy coping mechanisms, emotional resilience, and a positive mindset. They empower children and teens to take control of their emotional well-being, encouraging them to step into their full potential with confidence and self-assurance.

For parents and caregivers, supporting a child’s mental health involves being proactive and open to exploring alternative therapeutic methods alongside traditional approaches. With the right support, children and adolescents can overcome their struggles and develop into emotionally healthy, resilient individuals.

Children and adolescents face many challenges that can impact their mental health, but with the right support and tools, they can learn to navigate these struggles. Techniques like hypnotherapy, breathwork, IEMT, and EFT offer valuable ways to promote emotional healing, reduce anxiety, and build self-esteem. By providing these tools, we empower young people to overcome their difficulties and build a healthy, resilient mindset for the future.

Reach out for support

If your child is struggling with anxiety, depression, social anxiety, school related issues, fears, and other aspects and you would like to understand more, don't hesitate to reach out for support. Phiona is trained and holds and enhanced DBS and offers therapy that fits your child’s needs—whether in-person or online in Havant. Helping you to feel acceptance and understanding for you and your child’s needs. Phiona is experienced in working with children and young people and works  uniquely  to each individual. 

Whether you're dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma, bereavement or looking to break habits, reframe fears, or phobias. Phiona can help you develop approaches to overcome these barriers that prevent you from living life to the fullest. Helping you navigate life’s challenges and take the next step towards a brighter, calmer future.

If you feel you would like support, and you feel therapy may be the answer. I offer 15 minute complimentary  consultations, for you to have the chance to discover how therapy might support you. Visit my website for more information. 

www.mindfulmomentstherapies.co.uk

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mindfulmomentstherapies@gmail.com

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