How Hypnosis Helped a Teen Overcome School Anxiety and Find Relief
For many teenagers, school brings a natural mix of excitement and nerves. But for one 15-year-old sophomore, it had become a daily source of overwhelming fear - so intense that she began vomiting every morning before school.
Her anxiety wasn’t just emotional: it was physical, disrupting her ability to attend class and connect with peers. Eventually, she was moved out of her regular classroom and placed in a study hall away from her classmates, simply to manage the risk of vomiting during school hours.
This young woman’s experience isn’t as uncommon as you might think. Anxiety in teens can show up in powerful physical ways. When left unaddressed, it can chip away at confidence and disrupt a young person’s education and social development. That’s where hypnosis and mind-body tools can create real change.
A New Approach to an Old Fear
When she came to see me, we focused on three layers of support - each designed to address the root causes of her anxiety and help her feel in control again.
1. A Personalized Mantra
We began by crafting a simple, empowering mantra around going to school. Mantras may seem small, but when used consistently, they help redirect the subconscious mind and begin to rewire fear-based pathways into ones of calm and capability.
2. Hypnosis and Emotional Release
In hypnosis, she used her imagination to scan for internal blocks like memories, fears, or beliefs that might be fueling her anxiety. Then, she released them using gentle visualizations and guided techniques. This helped her mind feel safer and more neutral about the school environment.
3. A Body-Calming Tool for Real-Time Stress
To support her during the school day, I taught her a self-regulation technique known as Dr. Russell Kennedy’s ABCD tool. It is a simple but powerful way to calm the nervous system when anxiety shows up physically. It gave her something practical she could do in the moment to reduce overwhelm.
Rapid, Lasting Relief
After just one session, her daily vomiting significantly decreased. After the second session, she was back in all of her regular classes feeling confident, calm, and fully present. The physical symptoms had ceased, and her school experience had transformed.
A Reminder for Parents and Teens
If your child is struggling with anxiety that’s showing up in physical ways, know that there is hope. Hypnosis, when paired with practical tools and compassionate support, can create meaningful shifts in just a few sessions.
