Children’s anxiety & sleep
Gentle, evidence-based support to help children feel calmer, safer, and more confident — day and night.
Anxiety in children can show up in many different ways. Some children worry a lot, struggle to settle at night, or become upset at separation or change. Others may appear confident on the outside but hold their worries in, which often surface at bedtime.
At The Nest Hypnotherapy, I support children experiencing anxiety and sleep difficulties by helping them understand what’s happening in their minds and bodies, and by teaching practical tools they can use to feel calmer and more in control.
Sessions are available in person in Oxfordshire or online, with parents supported along
How anxiety often shows up in children
Children don’t always have the words to explain anxiety. It may show up as:
+ Frequent worries or fears
+ Difficulty falling or staying asleep
+ Bedtime anxiety or night-time reassurance seeking
+ Physical symptoms such as tummy aches or headaches
+ Emotional outbursts, tears, or meltdowns
+ Avoidance of school, activities, or separation
Every child is different, and anxiety can look very different from one child to another.
How I work with children
My work with children is based on cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy, adapted in a gentle, age-appropriate way.
Sessions focus on:
+ helping children understand anxiety in a simple, non-scary way
+ teaching calming and self-soothing techniques
+ building confidence and emotional resilience
+ reducing fear and avoidance gradually
+ using imagination and hypnosis to reinforce calm and safety
The aim is to help children feel more confident managing worries — not to force fears away or rush change.
Support for sleep difficulties
Sleep problems in children are often linked to anxiety. When the day becomes quiet, worries that have been held in can surface, making it hard for children to settle.
Support may include:
+ understanding why sleep has become difficult
+ teaching calming bedtime strategies
+ helping children feel safer at night
+ reducing reliance on reassurance over time
+ supporting parents with consistent, confidence-building approaches
The focus is on helping sleep feel safe and manageable again — for both children and parents.
What sessions are like
Sessions are calm, supportive, and tailored to your child’s age and personality.
Some children enjoy talking, while others prefer stories, metaphors, drawing, or guided exercises. Hypnosis is always explained clearly and used in a way that feels safe and familiar.
Parent involvement is flexible and guided by what feels most helpful for both you and your child. We’ll talk this through together and decide what feels right.
Is this the right support for your child?
This approach may be helpful if your child:
+ struggles with worries or anxiety
+ finds bedtime or sleep difficult
+ avoids situations due to fear
+ needs help building confidence and emotional regulation
+ would benefit from gentle, structured support
If you’re unsure whether this is the right step, an initial conversation can help you decide.
Next steps
If you’d like to talk about what’s been happening for your child and explore whether this support could help, you’re very welcome to get in touch.