Use of hypnosis with children

Hypnosis is a valuable if underused medical tool for increasing compliance, decreasing discomfort and fear, and teaching patients a sense of mastery and constructive control. This article focuses upon the pediatric patient requiring common out-patient procedures. Four case studies are presented. Techniques are discussed with reference to patient selection, methods of induction, trance deepening and maintenance, and deinduction. Specific recommendations are made to incorporate the parents and permit the expression and experience of feelings. Children seem particularly well suited to mobilize their talents for creative fantasies rather than expending their energy in fear and resistance.