Supporting children with ADHD: Hypnotherapy as a path to focus

ADHD is more common than many realise, affecting roughly 5% of children worldwide. While medication can make a profound difference for some, alternative therapies, like hypnotherapy, offer another way forward. Hypnotherapy doesn’t replace medication but can offer children tools to improve focus, manage emotions, and feel empowered – skills that go beyond the ADHD diagnosis and into every aspect of their lives.

My journey into understanding ADHD

As a former teacher turned hypnotherapist, I’ve worked with thousands of children. But like many, my understanding of ADHD was once limited to a few well-known symptoms: lack of focus, impulsivity, and those stereotypical hyper behaviours. This view changed when my eldest daughter, now in her twenties, came to me suspecting she might have ADHD. At first, I wasn’t sure as she didn’t “fit the mould.” She excelled academically, thrived in a grammar school, and went on to earn a first-class honours degree. Yet on reflection, she did face struggles that aligned with ADHD, like a lack of organisation.

Her journey led me to a new understanding of ADHD, especially how it presents in girls and young women – often subtly but profoundly. This discovery opened my eyes to ADHD’s many faces. Eventually, my youngest daughter and my husband were both diagnosed too. Now, with more insight, I’ve come to see ADHD as a spectrum of experiences, often accompanied by conditions like anxiety and low self-esteem. It’s this insight that has guided me to explore alternative approaches like hypnotherapy to help my children and my clients.

ADHD, anxiety, and co-existing challenges

ADHD rarely arrives alone. It’s often accompanied by emotional and mental challenges, anxiety being a major one. In my family, and with many clients, I’ve noticed how children with ADHD can feel overwhelmed and even defeated, leading to self-doubt and sensitivity to perceived judgments from others. For children, these internal struggles can greatly impact their behaviours and self-esteem.

The combination of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with hypnotherapy creates a powerful approach to managing ADHD and its related challenges. CBT helps children identify and reshape unhelpful thought patterns, while hypnotherapy deepens this work by supporting emotional and mental control. Together, they build a pathway where children can not only understand their thoughts and behaviours but also respond to them with greater calm and confidence.

How hypnotherapy supports children with ADHD

Hypnotherapy sessions for ADHD are all about creating a calm, focused state where children feel comfortable, present, and receptive to things like positive suggestions. Through hypnotherapy, children can enter a deep relaxation that allows them to “turn down the noise” or practice new ways of focusing and staying organised. The aim isn’t to change who they are but to help them harness their own strengths, manage their symptoms, and feel good about themselves in the process.

In my own experience with hypnotherapy for my youngest daughter, breaking down big tasks into smaller steps helped reduce her feelings of overwhelm. Visualising success became an anchor for her, giving her a sense of calm and achievement before she’d even begun. In my hypnotherapy sessions, I use similar techniques to help children picture themselves completing difficult tasks or staying calm in situations that might otherwise feel challenging to them.

Techniques that make a difference

Hypnotherapy offers children with ADHD valuable tools to develop calmness, focus, and confidence in themselves. Through guided visualisation, children imagine themselves in a safe, peaceful setting where they can fully concentrate on a single task. This practice helps them naturally build sustained attention and a sense of calm over time.

Another important element is positive self-talk and reflection. By looking back on their achievements and practising affirmations, children begin to see their strengths, which builds confidence and resilience. Connecting with the subconscious is also a key aspect; during sessions, children learn to access their inner resources, helping them feel grounded and more in control of their emotions and responses.

Finally, many children benefit from learning self-hypnosis. This empowering skill allows them to tap into feelings of calm and focus on their own whenever they need it. It gives them a sense of independence and confidence in managing life’s challenges. Together, these approaches offer children tools that can make a real difference in how they handle ADHD in their daily lives and into adulthood.

What to expect in hypnotherapy sessions for ADHD

Hypnotherapy sessions are tailored to each child’s personality and pace. First, we take time to make them feel comfortable and heard – many children come in with reservations, especially if they’re not familiar with hypnotherapy. We might start with a simple chat about their interests or the day they’ve had. From there, we introduce techniques that feel more like exercises or games than therapy. Over time, these exercises help children feel more confident, focused, and calm.

Each session is designed to reinforce their progress, and families are encouraged to try certain techniques at home between sessions. Children may practice visualisations or breathing techniques, or use affirmations that they can carry with them into school and other social settings. The goal is always to help children feel empowered in their own lives, giving them skills they can rely on.

Hypnotherapy benefits for families

ADHD doesn’t just affect the child – it affects the whole family. In our household, hypnotherapy became a source of calm and connection. Practising these techniques together brought balance and improved communication for all of us. As children learn to manage their symptoms, routines can become more predictable, and conflicts can ease, giving parents peace of mind and confidence in their child’s ability to manage life’s ups and downs.

Hypnotherapy as a holistic approach for ADHD

For parents exploring options beyond medication, hypnotherapy offers a holistic way to address ADHD and help children build resilience. These skills become tools for life, strengthening children’s independence and giving them the confidence they need to face each day with less stress and more joy. Every child’s journey with ADHD is unique, and a blend of therapies, whether CBT, mindfulness, or hypnotherapy, can create a foundation that lets children thrive.