Information for Parents/Carers

What is HISP?

Hypnotherapy in Schools Programme (HISP) is a programme which uses clinical hypnotherapy in educational settings to support the learning and general wellbeing of pupils and staff.

What is hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a technique that uses deep relaxation combined with other techniques (i.e. guided imagery, therapeutic story-telling) to help elicit changes in thinking, feeling and behaviour. Clinical hypnotherapy NOT stage hypnosis is used in HISP. Clinical hypnotherapy uses techniques and strategies for therapeutic benefit as opposed to stage hypnosis which focuses solely on entertainment value.

How will it affect my son/daughter?

Hypnotherapy is a fun and enjoyable experience that most children/young people fully engage with. Your son/daughter will remain completely safe and in control at all times. You will hopefully notice positive changes in your son/daughter related to the issue they have been referred for and frequently more generally too. Your son/daughter will be learning valuable skills and strategies which they can use to help them control/change the way they think, feel and behave.

Hypnotherapy can be very effective with children/young people who can easily access their imagination and generally respond well to the techniques. Just like any intervention however there is no guarantee that HISP will completely solve the issue your son/daughter has been referred for but the evidence from HISP suggests this approach is usually very effective at making a positive difference.

Who is present during the sessions?

For individual sessions, the HISP practitioner and the pupil are the only people present. In small group sessions (i.e. for exam anxiety), there may be up to 3 other pupils also present.

What does a session involve?

Each session lasts between 30 - 45 minutes and is conducted on an individual/small group basis, usually once a week for 6 weeks. Your son/daughter will be supported using hypnotherapy to hopefully overcome whatever issue he/she has been referred for. Each session is tailored to the need of that pupil/group. He/she may be given tasks to complete for homework including regular practise of strategies they have been taught within the sessions. These usually involve some form of visualisation. Some children/young people are provided with a hypnotherapy recording to use outside of the sessions.

Why has my son/daughter been referred?

Your son/daughter has been referred because school feel that HISP could help them with some aspect of their general wellbeing or learning. It does not mean that your son/daughter is naughty or that you are a bad parent. Everyone wants your son/daughter to achieve his/her potential and be the best that they can be. The specific issue relating to the referral should have been discussed with you.

What if I don’t want my son/daughter to take part?

You have the right to decline to give consent for your son/daughter to take part in HISP, however, I would advise that you discuss your concerns with the school/HISP Practitioner before making this decision. The school want the best for your son/daughter and have referred them to HISP because they feel it will help them.

What do I need to do?

A HISP referral form needs to be completed for your son/daughter. There is a section for you to complete and a section for the school to complete. Both sections must be completed before an intervention can begin. Your son/daughter will then have an informal meeting with the HISP Practitioner who will decide if he/she is suitable for HISP and will answer any questions your son/daughter may have. If HISP is felt to be appropriate then sessions will be arranged with the school.

Where does it take place?

The sessions are carried out in your son/daughter's school in an allocated room/space within the school building.

What do I tell my son/daughter about it?

It often helps if you can ensure that your son/daughter knows why they are going to have some help and what the specific issue is. As with any intervention, HISP can only help children/young people who want to be helped, i.e. are motivated to change. It cannot make them do something they don’t want to do. You can tell your son/daughter that the sessions will be fun and relaxing and may involve them doing visualisations. It is important that they know they will be safe at all times and do not have to take part if they don’t want to.

How can I help my son/daughter while they are involved in HISP?

You can be positive about the experience. You may choose to ask your son/daughter what they have been doing (but don’t insist they tell you if they are reluctant to discuss it) and show enthusiasm about what they tell you. You can encourage them to use any techniques they have been asked to practise and listen to the recording if they have been given one. They will generally require a quiet place to practise where they are undisturbed.

Does it matter what religious beliefs my son/daughter has?

No it doesn’t matter. Hypnotherapy does not subscribe to any one set of beliefs (religious, cultural, moral or spiritual) and works alongside the specific beliefs systems of each pupil at an individual level.