My client Martin hated Hong Kong’s busy streets and crowded MTR, with increasing distress. The constant rushing of commuters and the way people bumped into him made him increasingly angry. He perceived them as rude and inconsiderate. He dreaded the thought of going back and forth to work every day.
In our first session, he railed against Hong Kong commuters repeatedly until I was able to steer him into realizing that his extreme reaction suggested a deeper emotional conflict.
Hong Kong's densely populated streets and relentless energy only intensified his feelings. He hoped that his unconscious mind would provide an answer to his uncontrollable behaviour and allow him to transform it into a more peaceful state of mind.
His belief in the power of the unconscious mind, coupled with his desire to change, made him an ideal candidate for hypnotherapy.
He agreed with me that something must have happened to him in the past to trigger this combative state. In a hypnotic trance, he was able to remember memories that went directly to the root of his anger. Martin's reactions stemmed from being bullied and pushed around in secondary school. These experiences left him hypersensitive to any perceived rudeness that made him want to fight back.
In our sessions, he learned to interrupt his automatic response and replace the belief of negative intent with a more realistic assessment of why people seem pushy when moving through crowds. He was able to slow down his thoughts and seek moments of calm and relaxation instead of anticipating conflict. He discovered he could block out negativity and focus on what he truly desired – ignoring the crowds and moving forward.
With these newfound strategies, Martin experienced a remarkable shift in his perception of Hong Kong. The city no longer overwhelmed him; it became a different place altogether. He now explores the busy streets with fascination. He marvels at the efficiency of the public transportation system
Hypnotherapy helped him let go of the impact of those old memories. He’s much more pleasant to be with now and found what he was looking for – a peaceful state of mind.