Information for Schools

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 both pupils and staff.

For pupils, it can be delivered individually for specific issues or in small groups (maximum 4 pupils) for general issues, i.e. exam anxiety.

For staff, it can be delivered individually for specific issues or in small groups (maximum 5 members of staff) for general issues, i.e. de-stress, raising confidence. Please see the separate leaflet for further information about staff HISP session.

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.

Pupil HISP Sessions

What can HISP help pupils with?

Hypnotherapy can help with a wide range of issues such as:

•Low self-esteem / low confidence

•Poor motivation / concentration

•Anxiety (exams, social, speaking out loud, answering questions, playtimes, victims of bullying, fear of a specific subject, phobias, etc)

•Dealing with feelings (anxiety, worries, anger, frustration, grief, sadness)

•Symptoms of some diagnosed conditions i.e. OCD, depression, school phobia, anxiety disorders, panic attacks, ADHD, ASD, selective mute

•Self-harming behaviours

•Sleeping difficulties

•Eating difficulties

•Pain control

•Attachment difficulties

Please contact your local HISP Practitioner if you have a pupil who requires help with an issue not listed above.

Does it matter what religious beliefs a pupil 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.

How does it affect the pupil?

The pupil remains safe and in control at all times. It is a fun and enjoyable experience that most pupils engage fully with. It helps pupils change/control the way they think, feel and behave about things, both directly related to the issue they were referred for and more generally. Pupils learn valuable skills and strategies to help manage themselves and deal with situations more effectively so that their general wellbeing can improve and they can learn more easily.

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 you refer the pupil for.

How do I access HISP?

Contact your local HISP Practitioner to discuss if the pupil is suitable. If they are then you will need to complete a HISP referral form. There is a section for school to complete and a section for parents/carers to complete. BOTH these sections need to be completed before any intervention can be started. Your HISP practitioner will then arrange an assessment session to meet the pupil, check he/she is suitable, answer any questions they might have and set targets to work on. Further sessions will then be agreed (usually in blocks of 6).

How will I know how the pupil has got on?

A brief summary report will be written when the intervention finishes. A feedback meeting with parents/carers can be arranged if requested.

Where do the sessions take place?

Sessions are carried out within school. It is ESSENTIAL that an allocated room/space is available that is private and as quiet as possible.

Who is present during the sessions?

For individual sessions, the HISP practitioner and the pupil are the only ones present in the session. For group interventions, the HISP Practitioner and up to 4 pupils are present. Parents and school staff do not attend.

What does an intervention involve?

Each session lasts between 30 - 45 minutes and is generally held once a week for 6 weeks. If it is felt further sessions would be beneficial, this will be discussed with school. Pupils are supported using hypnotherapy to hopefully either overcome or manage more effectively whatever issue they have been referred for. Each session is tailored to the needs of the pupil/group. Pupils may be given tasks to complete for homework including regular practise of strategies taught within the sessions. These usually involve some form of visualisation. Pupils are often provided with a hypnotherapy CD to use outside of the sessions.

Staff HISP Sessions

Who can take part?

The session is suitable for staff employed in any role within school, i.e. teaching, support, admin, lunchtime supervisors, ground maintenance, SLT. HISP is not suitable for anyone who has a history of psychosis or is currently experiencing a period of psychosis. It is also not suitable for anyone who is under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs at the time the session is conducted.

Focus of the session

The focus of the session is around general de-stressing, relaxation, increasing feelings of wellbeing and confidence building. Sessions can be adapted for a specific need if required, i.e. pre-OFSTED focus, confidence around being observed/assessed. Please discuss with the HISP practitioner if you would like a tailor-made focus for a session.

Taking part

It is essential that staff are allowed to opt into the session and it is made clear that attending the session is not compulsory. Schools may choose to use staff meeting times to deliver the session but staff must be made aware that they do not have to attend and will not be put under any pressure to participate.

Staff questionnaires

All staff wishing to attend a group staff HISP session must complete a questionnaire. Staff who do not complete this will not be allowed to participate.

These questionnaires are confidential and should only be read by the HISP Practitioner. Schools are advised to hand out the questionnaires and then ask staff to place them in a sealed envelope which is kept securely and given to the HISP practitioner who may speak with individual members of staff about information on this prior to the session being conducted.

Actual HISP session

This session will last approximately 1 hour. Staff will need to be in a lying or semi-reclined position. It is essential that they are comfortable during this time so they are advised to bring in a chair/mat/beanbag or any other item that assists this. They may choose to change into some comfy clothes for the duration of the session if they wish.

The session needs to be carried out in a private place where people will not walk through or disturb it once it is in progress. There should be no obvious noise distractions, i.e. telephones ringing.

It is up to schools to arrange the grouping of staff but there must be no more than 5 individuals in any one session.