Changing Children’s Lives with Hypnosis
Book review by Kavita Kaur
In Changing Children’s Lives with Hypnosis: A Journey to the Center, pediatric pulmonologist who used hypnosis in his work, Dr. Ran Anbar, explains how hypnosis can be used as a powerful tool to help children overcome physical, emotional, and psychological challenges. Dr. Anbar presents this using a blend of research explanation and real-life cases that demonstrate the effectiveness of hypnosis in pediatric care.
Many children experience symptoms such as anxiety, chronic pain, insomnia, asthma, headaches, or functional disorders that cannot always be fully explained or treated through medicine alone. Sometimes, they go through numerous tests, medications and procedures with no conclusive results. In his book, Dr. Anbar demonstrates that hypnosis provides a safe, gentle, and effective way to access the mind’s natural ability to influence the body. This is also cost effective for the children's families. Through guided imagery, suggestion, and relaxation techniques, children can learn to regulate their thoughts, emotions, and physical responses to support their healing.
Dr. Anbar explains that children are particularly receptive to hypnosis because they naturally have vivid imaginations and are creative in their thinking. By using storytelling, metaphors, and imaginative exercises based on the children's expressed interests, children can be helped to reinterpret their symptoms and develop new ways of coping with stress and discomfort.
All of this is well explained throughout the book using patient recounts. Dr. Anbar begins by sharing about two young patients who influenced him greatly, Paul and Harry. Through knowing Paul, Dr. Anbar realised how much more could have been done for Paul so he could live a more comfortable life and the necessity for the medical profession to not just treat symptoms, but the person as a whole. His experience with Harry and the power of imagination is what got Dr. Anbar to start using hypnosis. This is very engaging for the reader and highlights how children manage issues, including chronic coughs, seizures, severe headaches, anxiety, and trauma. The young patients were very much a part of this process. They contributed by sharing their favourite characters, games and places. All of this were incorporated into the hypnosis. Children were also taught self-hypnosis techniques that empower them to manage their symptoms independently. They were able to do this well and this gives them the added benefits of confidence, emotional regulation, and a sense of control over their own wellbeing.
Dr. Anbar also reinforces the impact and influence of the spoken word on children by parents, teachers and adults of influence. These words can either reinforce fear and limitation or encourage resilience and healing. It's a good reminder to therapists and healthcare professionals too on the impact of words used when treating children.
Also, rather than replacing conventional medicine, hypnosis is presented as a complementary approach that can work alongside medical treatments. It is described as painless, non-invasive, and cost-effective, with minimal risks when used appropriately.
The book also emphasises on empowerment. By learning to work with their own minds, children can gain tools that help them cope with stress, illness, and life’s challenges. Dr. Anbar’s work and message is hopeful: when children are guided to access their inner resources through hypnosis, they often discover a remarkable capacity for healing and growth.
The book does well in introducing pediatric hypnosis to parents, therapists, and healthcare professionals interested in supporting children’s mental and physical wellbeing in a more holistic way. I found it especially helpful as I work with children as well and have used hypnotherapy multiple times with great results. Through this book, I was able to learn more about how children respond to hypnosis and more ways in which they can be engaged. For example, Dr. Anbar mentions that it is common for children to periodically open their eyes during hypnosis, akin to our eyes being open while daydreaming. This helped normalise my experience as the children I work with would sometimes do this, especially the younger children. The effectiveness level remained positive.
Thank you,
Kavita Kaur