NPHTI: National Pediatric Hypnosis Training Institute, 717 SE Delaware Street, Minneapolis, MN (2026)

02/25/2026

As our 2026 Online Mid-Year Meetup draws ever closer, we’re excited to invite clinicians to a rich, experiential exploration of Storytelling in Hypnosis with the National Pediatric Hypnosis Training Institute on April 29, 2026!

Led by Dr. Maren O. Lindheim, clinical psychologist at Oslo University Hospital, this dynamic workshop will examine how narrative can be harnessed within pediatric hypnosis to create meaningful therapeutic change. Through guided instruction and experiential learning, participants will refine their ability to construct and deliver stories that resonate developmentally, encourage adaptive reframing, and support emotional integration. Emphasis will be placed on using narrative as a flexible clinical tool- one that can be shaped in real time to meet the needs of each child or adolescent.

Designed with practicing clinicians in mind, the meetup offers a balance of advanced teaching, collaborative dialogue, and hands-on practice in small groups with direct faculty guidance. Attendees will leave with concrete strategies they can immediately incorporate into their work, along with renewed confidence in using storytelling to deepen engagement and therapeutic impact. Registration is now open at www.nphti.org/2026midyear and we invite you to join us for a stimulating day of shared learning, clinical connection, and professional growth!

02/18/2026

Clinical hypnosis is not a separate or mysterious technique in pediatric care- it is often already happening. Children naturally enter focused, imaginative states during medical visits while playing, waiting, coping with discomfort, or absorbing new information. In these moments, language matters more than we realize.

In his work on incorporating hypnosis into everyday pediatric encounters, NPHTI Faculty Member Robert A. Pendergrast, Jr., MD, MPH, FAAP, highlights how clinicians can thoughtfully use these natural states to support healing. Careful word choice, tone, and reflective listening can shape a child’s expectations, reduce fear, and strengthen emotional and physiological self-regulation- sometimes without a formal hypnosis induction.

This approach invites clinicians to notice what children are already doing well: calming their breath, focusing attention, using imagination, or finding ways to cope. Naming and reinforcing these skills helps children recognize their own capacity for comfort, control, and resilience, which can be an empowering shift for both patients and families. Across primary care, hospital settings, and specialty consults, hypnosis-informed communication supports developmental mastery, behavior change, and procedural comfort.
With proper training, pediatric clinical hypnosis becomes less about “doing hypnosis” and more about being intentional- using language as a therapeutic tool to meet children where they are and help them move toward better outcomes.

Read the full essay by following this link:
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/4/3/18

02/11/2026

Stories are among the most powerful tools we use in pediatric care. When thoughtfully and intentionally applied, storytelling can help children make sense of symptoms, emotions, and experiences that are otherwise difficult to articulate. Join the National Pediatric Hypnosis Training Institute for the 2026 Online Mid-Year Meetup on April 29, 2026, featuring an experiential workshop on Storytelling in Hypnosis led by Dr. Maren O. Lindheim, clinical psychologist at Oslo University Hospital.

This highly interactive session will explore how therapeutic storytelling can be used within pediatric hypnosis to shift perspective, support emotional regulation, and foster resilience. Participants will examine what makes a story clinically effective, how to adapt narratives to developmental level, and how to transform a child’s challenge into a therapeutic framework that promotes coping and growth. The day includes engaging lecture from renowned faculty, multiple small-group practice opportunities, and real-time application of concepts with faculty support, designed to ensure learning is immediately relevant and clinically useful.
This meetup is ideal for clinicians seeking to deepen their use of narrative in hypnosis, enhance engagement with pediatric patients, and expand clinical creativity while remaining grounded in therapeutic intention. We invite you to join us for a day of learning, collaboration, and meaningful clinical growth! Registration is now open at www.nphti.org/2026midyear

02/04/2026

The long winter months can be emotionally challenging for many children and adolescents. Shortened daylight, colder weather, and fewer opportunities for movement or social engagement often lead to monotony, irritability, restlessness, or low mood—what families commonly describe as “cabin fever.” Youth who rely heavily on external stimulation may struggle most during this season, showing decreased motivation, increased screen use, or difficulty with emotional regulation. Normalizing these reactions as predictable seasonal responses can be an important first step in supporting families.
Clinicians can help by teaching simple, developmentally appropriate hypnotic strategies that build internal resilience when external options feel limited. Imagery-based interventions are particularly effective and easy to translate for home use. Younger children may respond well to metaphors like imagining an “inner sunshine,” tending a cozy winter cabin, or carrying a warm blanket of calm inside their body. Adolescents often benefit from brief self-hypnosis practices that focus on cultivating steadiness and patience, such as visualizing a slow-burning fire or deep roots growing stronger beneath frozen ground. These tools give kids something they can return to again and again, regardless of weather or routine.
Framing winter as a season for inward growth- not just something to “get through”- can be powerful for both clinicians and families. Teaching short, repeatable self-hypnosis exercises reinforces agency and self-efficacy, helping youth learn that they can access comfort, creativity, and regulation from within. When shared clearly and simply, these strategies allow parents to reinforce the work at home, transforming the long winter months into an opportunity to strengthen coping skills, emotional flexibility, and resilience.

01/14/2026

The period following the winter holidays often brings a noticeable emotional shift for children and adolescents. After weeks of anticipation, social gatherings, and disrupted routines, January can feel abruptly quiet and demanding. The contrast between the stimulation of December and the structure of returning to school, extracurriculars, and expectations may lead to what is commonly described as a “January slump.” Young people may present with irritability, low mood, fatigue, decreased motivation, or heightened anxiety, particularly if the holidays were emotionally charged or accompanied by family stressors, loss, or unmet expectations. For some youth, the return to routine can feel less like stability and more like a loss of connection, novelty, or emotional safety.
Clinicians can play a vital role in helping children and teens process this post-holiday letdown through developmentally attuned hypnotic interventions. Hypnosis offers a framework for acknowledging disappointment and emotional fatigue without pathologizing these responses. Guided imagery can help younger children symbolically “close” the holiday season, such as visualizing placing meaningful memories on a shelf or in a keepsake box they can revisit later, while gently turning toward the present moment. For adolescents, self-hypnotic techniques that incorporate metaphors of transition, recalibration, or seasonal rhythm can support emotional integration. Pairing slow, rhythmic breathing with language that normalizes emotional ebb and flow allows teens to experience the return to routine as a gradual adjustment rather than an abrupt loss.
Hypnotic work can also support nervous system regulation and energy restoration during this period of transition. Clinicians may teach imagery focused on replenishment, such as visualizing warmth returning to the body or imagining internal resources being slowly refilled after a period of exertion. Establishing brief, repeatable self-hypnosis practices can help youth regain a sense of agency as they re-engage with daily demands. By framing January as a time of rejuvenation, clinicians can help children and adolescents approach the post-holiday period with increased self-compassion, emotional flexibility, and resilience, laying the groundwork for a steadier return to routine and well-being.

01/07/2026

We’re kicking off 2026 with an exciting new educational opportunity. Join us on January 20 at 11:00 AM CST for our newest NPHTI webinar, “Getting More Familiar with Your Favorite Place,” presented by Leora Kuttner, PhD, and Adam Keating, MD.

This session brings together two highly respected clinicians and educators whose work has shaped the field of pediatric mind-body medicine and clinical hypnosis. With decades of combined experience in research, teaching, and clinical practice, Dr. Kuttner and Dr. Keating are known for their thoughtful, practical, and deeply engaging approaches to therapeutic work with children and adolescents.

We’re thrilled to begin the new year learning from such accomplished presenters and to continue building clinical insight, curiosity, and connection within our professional community. Save the date and join us as we start 2026 with meaningful education and inspiration.

12/31/2025

As we say goodbye to another year, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported NPHTI’s mission over the past 12 months. To our founders and our dedicated board members- thank you for your vision, leadership, and tireless guidance. To our incredible faculty who have shared their expertise through webinars and our annual workshops, your generosity in teaching and mentoring continues to transform the lives of children, teens, and the clinicians who care for them. We are also deeply grateful to the team working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly- your commitment and hard work make it all possible. And, of course, to our attendees, followers, and all who believe in the power of hypnosis to support mental health, resilience, and positive change: we could not do this without you.
As we step into a new year, it’s a perfect time to set intentions around mental health, family, and self-care. Whether it’s cultivating daily moments of mindfulness, teaching children strategies to manage stress and anxiety, or committing to your own professional growth, small, intentional actions can have a profound impact. The practice of pediatric clinical hypnosis- and the broader focus on mind-body connection- is a tool that allows us to nurture resilience, emotional regulation, and meaningful connection with others.
From all of us at NPHTI, we wish you a happy, healthy, and inspiring new year. May 2026 be filled with growth, connection, and the continued pursuit of well-being for you, your families, and your communities. Thank you for being part of this journey- we can’t wait to see what the new year brings!

12/24/2025

Wishing you a warm and cozy holiday season! While this time of year is often filled with joy, family gatherings, and celebrations, we know that the holidays aren’t always easy for everyone. Some may be navigating grief, separation, stress, or other challenges that make this season feel difficult.
This holiday season, let’s remember the power of compassion and support- both for ourselves and for those around us. Small gestures of kindness, listening with presence, and offering understanding can make a meaningful difference for someone who may be struggling. Taking time for self-care, establishing comforting routines, and practicing mindfulness or relaxation techniques can help you navigate the season with resilience and grace.
From our team to you, we hope you find moments of warmth, connection, and peace throughout the holidays. May this season bring cozy moments, small joys, and gentle reminders that whether this season is joyous or challenging, support, comfort, and hope are always within reach.

12/16/2025

The winter holiday season can bring a host of disruptions that make restful sleep challenging for children and teens. Excitement over celebrations, travel across time zones, irregular mealtimes, late-night social events, or increased screen time can all interfere with the body’s natural sleep rhythms. Emotional stressors—such as family tensions, grief over absent loved ones, or anticipatory anxiety around holiday schedules—can further complicate bedtime, making it difficult for kids to settle. Clinicians can equip families with developmentally tailored hypnotic strategies to help reset evening routines and promote restorative sleep. For younger children, simple guided imagery exercises can be effective, such as imagining a favorite cozy place where their body feels heavy and warm, or visualizing snow gently falling to signal the day’s end. Teens may benefit from pairing slow diaphragmatic breathing with a personal self-hypnosis cue, like repeating a calming phrase while picturing a soothing scene, which can help quiet a racing mind.
Parents can support these practices by establishing consistent wind-down routines at home. This might include dimming lights, limiting stimulating screen exposure, offering calming sensory cues such as soft music or weighted blankets, and creating a predictable bedtime sequence that signals the body it is time for rest. To maintain consistency even in new or unfamiliar environments—such as visiting relatives, staying in hotels, or traveling for holiday events—families can bring familiar items like a favorite blanket, pillow, or stuffed animal to provide comfort and continuity. Preserving key elements of the bedtime routine, such as reading a short story, practicing a guided imagery exercise, or using the same self-hypnosis cue, helps signal that it is still “sleep time” despite changes in surroundings. Planning a predictable sequence of low-stimulation activities, keeping rooms dark with blackout curtains, or using a white-noise machine can also support the child’s sense of safety and routine.
By thoughtfully combining these strategies with patience and consistency, families can help children and adolescents maintain healthy sleep patterns and emotional regulation throughout the holiday season, no matter where they are or what changes the season brings.

12/08/2025

For many families, December brings warmth, connection, and celebration. But for others, the holidays can amplify grief, loneliness, and emotional strain. Children and teens may struggle with the absence of a loved one, a recent divorce or separation, shifting family dynamics, financial stress, or the loss of long-held traditions. Even positive transitions, such as a move or a new blended family, can create a sense of disorientation during a season that emphasizes continuity and togetherness. These experiences can leave young people feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure how to express what they’re carrying.
Clinically informed hypnotic strategies can offer meaningful support at home, providing children with a sense of inner steadiness when external circumstances feel unpredictable. Parents can help younger children create an “inner cozy corner” through guided imagery, inviting them to picture a warm, safe place filled with comforting sensations, sounds, and familiar items. This practice can become a go-to tool before bedtime, during moments of sadness, or when holiday gatherings feel overstimulating. For teens, parents can introduce brief self-hypnotic breathing paired with phrases like “I can hold this feeling and still be okay” or “Comfort can grow even when things are hard.” Older youth may also benefit from imagining a quiet inner space where they can “invite in” supportive qualities such as courage, calm, or connection, especially when missing someone or navigating complicated emotions.
Families can also integrate simple rituals that acknowledge grief without letting it overshadow the entire season. Lighting a candle for someone who has passed, creating a small memory ornament, or setting aside time to share stories about old traditions can help validate emotions while fostering connection. Parents might guide children through a gentle visualization of sending kindness or gratitude to the people they’re missing or to themselves for being resilient through change. By approaching the holidays with openness, validation, and intentional mind-body strategies, caregivers can help transform an emotionally difficult season into one marked by compassion, meaning, and quiet moments of healing.

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at NPHTI!
As we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, we are reminded of the power of gratitude to brighten our lives and strengthen our connections. While the holiday season can sometimes bring stress or feelings of overwhelm, taking intentional moments to acknowledge the people, experiences, and small joys we appreciate can make a meaningful difference in our emotional well-being.
Thanksgiving offers a special opportunity to pause, reflect, and focus on the positive forces in our lives - whether it’s the support of colleagues and loved ones, the resilience we see in the children and families we serve, or simple everyday moments that bring us joy. Practicing gratitude during this time helps cultivate perspective, foster connection, and enhance emotional resilience, even in the midst of life’s challenges.
We hope your Thanksgiving is filled with warmth, laughter, and the comforting presence of those you care about. May it be a time to celebrate both the big and small blessings, and to carry the spirit of gratitude with you throughout the season and beyond.
From all of us at NPHTI, Happy Thanksgiving!

11/21/2025

The holiday season is often depicted as a time of joy and celebration - but for many, it can bring stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. Balancing social obligations, financial pressures, and personal expectations can leave even the most resilient individuals feeling overwhelmed. During these challenging times, practicing gratitude can be a powerful tool to cultivate emotional balance, foster resilience, and reframe the way we experience the season.
Gratitude is more than a polite “thank you”; it is a deliberate practice of noticing and appreciating positive aspects of life, even amidst challenges. Reflecting daily on what is meaningful - whether a supportive friend, a small act of kindness, or a quiet moment of peace - can shift attention away from worries and toward what is working well. Consistent gratitude practice can reduce stress, improve mood, and strengthen connections with others, all of which are especially valuable during a season that can otherwise feel overwhelming.
For those navigating particularly difficult holidays, gratitude can act as a stabilizing force. Small, intentional practices - like keeping a gratitude journal, expressing thanks to loved ones, or mentally acknowledging minor joys - can cultivate perspective and emotional resilience. Mind-body techniques, such as brief mindfulness exercises or guided visualizations centered on gratitude, can enhance these benefits.
It is also important to recognize that some people may require extra support from both themselves and others during the holidays. Reaching out to friends, family, or colleagues, sharing moments of connection, or simply offering empathetic listening can reinforce a sense of belonging and safety. Gratitude practiced collectively - through community service, giving, or shared celebrations - can amplify its impact, reminding us that even small silver linings matter.
Ultimately, cultivating gratitude during the holiday season is about intentionally focusing on what we can appreciate, rather than what is lacking or stressful. By making gratitude a consistent practice, we can navigate the holidays with greater emotional resilience, perspective, and capacity to find hope, warmth, and meaning all season long.

NPHTI: National Pediatric Hypnosis Training Institute

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