Your role as a parent in your child's sessions

As a parent or guardian, you have two main jobs in your child's hypnotherapy: complete the intake form on their behalf, and (if you wish) be present during the session. You also make the booking, since clients under 16 must be booked by a parent or guardian.

Before the session: the intake form

After you book, you complete the child intake form. This is how your child's practitioner prepares. It covers the concern you'd like help with and the background that shapes the session. The child version of the form is designed for a parent to complete. See intake forms explained for how the forms work generally.

For teenagers (13–18), the intake works a little differently: teen forms can be completed together, or via a parent-created link with a PIN so your teen can complete their part privately. See teen intake forms.

During the session

You may be present during your child's session. Many parents choose to sit in, particularly with younger children; others find their child settles better one-to-one with the practitioner. Paediatric hypnotherapy at Norwest Wellbeing is led by Paul Smith, and you can talk through what will suit your child best.

The same applies to children's personalised audio: the parent completes the intake and may sit in while the child listens. See children's personalised audio.

Consent

Anyone under 18 needs parent or guardian consent for services. The rules by age and product are set out in ages and consent.

Common questions

Q: Do I have to stay in the room? A: No. Being present is your choice. Discuss with your child's practitioner what will work best for your child.

Q: Who fills in the intake form for a child? A: You do. The child intake form is designed for a parent or guardian to complete on the child's behalf.

Q: Can my teenager complete their own intake? A: Teen forms can be completed together with you, or your teen can complete theirs via a parent-created link with a PIN.