Always see your GP first to rule out medical causes. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone — many children find it easier to change how they feel through imagination and play than through talking alone.
Children's Hypnotherapy in Melbourne
Gentle, child-friendly support for anxiety, sleep problems, big emotions and school worries.
It’s hard to watch your child struggle with fears, tummy aches, bad nights or big feelings they can’t explain. At Hypnotherapist in Melbourne, Olivia Walford and Hayley Peck work as hypnotherapists for children in Melbourne, helping children and teens feel calmer, more confident and more in control. Sessions are held at our Beaumaris clinic in Bayside Melbourne, or online via Zoom.
Is your child struggling with any of these?
- Habits such as thumb sucking or bedwetting
- Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or nightmares
- Worries, fears or phobias that stop them doing things
- Avoiding school, sport or social events
- Anger outbursts, mood swings or frequent crying
- Low confidence, bullying or exam stress
- Frequent tummy aches or headaches with no clear medical cause.
Worried About Your Child?
A 15-minute chat with Olivia could be the first step. It’s free, and it’s just between us.
Talk to Olivia — Free
Talk to Olivia — Free
What is children's hypnotherapy?
Children’s hypnotherapy uses focused relaxation and imagination to help a child learn calming skills and try new, helpful ways of thinking and feeling. It isn’t stage hypnosis. Your child stays aware and in control the whole time and can open their eyes or stop whenever they want.
Children are naturally good at this. They already slip into a focused, imaginative state when they read, draw or play. As a hypnotherapist for children in Melbourne, Olivia uses that ability in a gentle, guided way.
“Your child stays aware and in control the whole time.” That’s the one thing every parent asks about first — and the one thing we lead with in every session.
How hypnotherapy can help your child
Sleep better
A relaxed bedtime routine, plus SleepTalk for younger children
Feel calmer
Simple breathing and imagery tools to use at school, at night or before a big event
Build confidence
Practise feeling capable in situations they find hard
Manage emotions
Notice big feelings early and have a plan for them
Face fears
Approach worries and phobias step by step, at their own pace
Every child is different and results vary. Hypnotherapy is not a replacement for medical care.
What happens in a session
1
Free 15-minute parent chat
Tell us what's happening and ask any questions. There's no cost and no obligation.
2
First session (50 minutes)
We get to know your child through conversation and play, and give them a short, gentle first experience of relaxation so they know what to expect.
3
Follow-up sessions
Each one is tailored to your child, using stories, imagery and games.
4
Practice at home
Your child gets a short audio recording to use between sessions, which helps the skills stick.
5
Review
We check progress with you and agree when to finish. Most children need about [X–X] sessions. We'll give you an honest estimate after the first session.
Which age groups do you see?
| Age Group | How Sessions Work |
|---|---|
| 5 – 8 Years | Story-based and playful. A parent is usually in the room, and SleepTalk® is often added. |
| 9 – 12 Years | Imagery and skills-based, with your child having a growing say in the goals. |
| 13 – 17 Years | More conversational. Teens often prefer private time with a short parent check-in. |
Age
How sessions work
[5–8]
Story-based and playful. A parent is usually in the room, and SleepTalk® is often added.
[9–12]
Imagery and skills-based, with your child having a growing say in the goals
[13–17]
More conversational. Teens often prefer private time with a short parent check-in.
Common concerns we help with
Low self-esteem
Anger outbursts
Exam stress
Bullying
Bed wetting
Nightmares
Thumb sucking
Grief
Tummy aches
For conditions such as OCD, tics or PTSD, we work alongside your GP or psychologist rather than in place of them. If hypnotherapy isn’t the right fit, we’ll say so and suggest other options.
Book Your Free 15-Minute Chat
No cost. No commitment. Just a conversation about what you're going through.
SleepTalk for younger children
SleepTalk is a method where a parent gently reads positive, personalised messages to their child while the child sleeps. Olivia is a consultant for the Goulding Process SleepTalk® for children and can guide you through using it at home. Learn more about SleepTalk®
Who will work with your child?
Olivia Walford is a Clinical Hypnotherapist and hypnotherapist for children in Melbourne with over 25 years’ experience in healthcare and counselling including working with children as an applied behaviour therapist. She is a clinical member of the Australian Association of Clinical Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy (AACHP), a member of the Hypnotherapy Council of Australia (HCA), and a consultant for the Goulding Process SleepTalk® for children. Olivia is also a mum, and she keeps sessions warm, calm and playful.
Our team member Hayley Peck also has a special interest in supporting children and teens.
Got Something Coming Up? Let’s Start Now
Urgent sessions available. Call 0425 726 732 or book online.
FAQs
Is hypnotherapy safe for children?
Yes, when it’s done by a trained practitioner. Children stay awake, aware and in control throughout and can stop at any time. We explain everything in child-friendly language first and tell you what suggestions will be used.
How does hypnotherapy help children with anxiety?
It teaches a child to calm their body and mind using breathing, imagery and positive suggestions. They then practise these skills in real-life situations, which helps them cope when worries come up.
How many sessions will my child need?
Most children need about [X–X] sessions, depending on the issue and age. We’ll give you a realistic estimate after the first session.
What age can a child start hypnotherapy?
We see children from about [5] years old. Younger children often respond well to story-based sessions and to SleepTalk® at home.
Can I stay in the room during the session?
Younger children usually have a parent with them. Older children and teens often do better with some private time, and we’ll agree this with you and your child first.
Will my child lose control or say anything they don't want to?
No. Hypnosis is not mind control. Your child is aware of everything, and no one can make them do or say something they don’t want to.
Is children's hypnotherapy evidence-based?
Research supports clinical hypnotherapy for some childhood conditions, including functional tummy pain and IBS. Evidence is stronger for some issues than others, so we’re honest about what it can and can’t do.
Do you offer online sessions?
Yes. We offer in-person sessions in Bayside Melbourne and online sessions via Zoom.
What if hypnotherapy isn't right for my child?
We’ll tell you honestly and suggest other options, such as your GP or a psychologist.
Visiting our Children's Hypnotherapy Melbourne clinic in Beaumaris
We’re at Shop/3B Keys St, Beaumaris VIC 3193, Australia, in Bayside Melbourne. Families across Melbourne regularly travel to us from Sandringham, Black Rock, Cheltenham, Brighton, Hampton and Mentone for children’s hypnotherapy in Melbourne .
Hours:
| Monday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am–7 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–7 pm |
| Friday | 9 am–6 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–4 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Can’t get here? Online sessions via Zoom work well for many children across Melbourne, especially for anxiety, sleep and confidence.