One of the most challenging aspects of treating children through self-hypnosis is educating the parents on how they can best help. Studies indicate that the more the parents are involved, the less effective the treatment. So, as a parent, you are asked to do the exact opposite of what you've done the child's entire life: you must stay out of it!

For example, if your child has an ear infection or a strep throat, you give the child his/her medication twice a day, or remind the child to take the medication. With clinical hypnosis, it is ALL up to the patient. You must refrain from asking, “Are you doing your homework?” or “Are you practicing the exercises?”

As a parent, this can be very difficult to do, since you love your child and want to help him/her. Dr. Lazarus often uses humor to encourage parents to “stay out of it.” If you forget once in awhile, we let it slide. But if you keep bothering your child, then, of course, we have to punish you! Typical suggestions for punishment include: no desert that night, or no television that night, or, you have to go to bed early that night!

A parent's surprise:
“Jonathon had some issues with insomnia, and Dr. Lazarus helped us quite a bit with that. And Joshua had a plantar wart that he got rid of with self hypnosis. As a parent, it was a pleasure to be in the room while the kids were going through this. The parents benefit so much. I came out of there feeling so relaxed, sort of like I had had a massage from the inside out. Everybody benefits from it.”

— Mother of Jonathon and Joshua

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