Hypnotherapy with Children

I often get asked if hypnotherapy with children is safe, and yes it is, there are a couple of points I would like to add however, but for the most part it is common sense.
Children work particularly well with hypnosis because quite simply they have excellent imaginations. Hypnotherapy by a good hypnotherapist will require the subject to be able to use imagination to some degree, that can be stumbling block for some, but not very often for children, that's the easy bit for them.
It goes without saying supervision by a parent or guardian is paramount. I would never work with child alone, and I would never work with ANYONE under the age of 18 without parents consent and them being present if it were a "one to one" session. If anyone asks to work with a child or young adult alone....refuse.
How young can they be? Well really the limit is they must be able to understand you, so really 5 or 6. Hypnotherapy is only story telling, so if they can understand a story, then a good hypnotherapist can include the help within the story without them even knowing. They should however inform the parents of what they are attempting, and consult with them if they agree this is suitable. Using animals instead of humans in the story, and placing an animal in the same situation as the child (bringing in the problem) is a very good approach. Then the idea would be is to get the child to help the animal. Completely turning around a fearful situation into a one where they are the hero and in control. A good hypnotherapist would be able to do something like this, but there are other ways, always ask the therapist what they intend to do. IF you don't agree with it, then do not go ahead with it.
Reality Check Just keep an eye on your child or speak to them to ensure they know that the story they have been told under hypnosis is a story. The same as watching a film on TV it can be fantasy, and must not be acted out. I have not come across this problem, but it is something just worth keeping an eye on.