With exam season looming, anxiety amongst teens and young people is rising. Particularly in the aftermath of Covid, they have never felt more pressured to do well.
Yet, we all know that when we feel stressed and anxious it is hard to do our best. So, finding ways to support our young people going through exams is key to helping them remain focussed without letting stress overwhelm them and impact their performance.
Cognitive Behavioural (CB) Hypnotherapy is one modality that can help transform the way people manage anxiety. Unlike other mind therapies, CB Hypnotherapy accesses the subconscious mind where our past experiences, thoughts and feelings sit, fuelling the stress response.
By leading the client into a state of deep relaxation, the practitioner can help them identify the triggers and consciously transform them.
Camilla Ross, Seed’s CB Hypnotherapist, has worked extensively with young people, teaching them tools and techniques they can use themselves when needed. Said Camilla, “Revision and exam preparation can seem like a hugely overwhelming task. As the pressure mounts, anxiety creeps in and sleep is often disrupted which further exacerbates how they are feeling.
The aim of CB Hypnotherapy is to provide them with the tools they need to manage and overcome anxiety, panic and overwhelm. Of course, every person is unique so each session is personalised, drawing on techniques as follows:
BREATH WORK – Practicing breathing techniques helps them manage their racing heart or other sensations of panic that may arise around the exam.
VISUALISATION – They can rehearse the exam and imagine how calm and focused they will feel.
ANCHORING – This technique gives them a small action such as squeezing their fist when they want to feel calmer.
SUPPORTING FOCUS – Hypnotherapy supports focus and motivation as well as helping people to feel more accepting and in control of their situation.
AIDING SLEEP – We know that everything feels more overwhelming when we are tired. Hypnotherapy can help them switch off so they can get the vital sleep they need.
After the session they leave with a recording to listen to in order to help them embed these new thoughts, feeling and behaviours.
To access more specific support for your teen / young person, see below a list of Seed practitioners who can help:
CB Hypnotherapy – Camilla Ross
Breath Work – Kirsten Orchard
Meditation / Mindfulness – Kelly Saward
Counselling – Helen Evans
Family Counselling / Support – Caroline Chambers
Clinical Psychology for Teens / Young People – Dr Anouk Houdijk
Hormonal Health – Adele Wimsett
Sleep Coaching – Emily Guiver
Neuro Change & RTT (Rapid Transformational Therapy) – Sophie Fraser