Healing Through Nature: A Case Study Analysis of Ericksonian Hypnosis and Reiki-Infused Transpersonal Counseling for Eco-Anxiety Relief

Abstract

Eco-anxiety, an intensifying social threat related to climate change that significantly impacts individuals’ mental wellbeing and societal steadiness, especially in densely urbanized communities such as Hong Kong, where environmental forces are compounded by limited access to nature. This case study examines the effectiveness of incorporating Ericksonian hypnosis and Reiki therapy into a transpersonal counselling setting to alleviate eco-anxiety in three Hong Kong residents. Participants comprised a 22-year-old female university student experiencing relationship distress and climate anxiety, a 45-year-old married male suffering from work-related stress and concern for his children’s environmental futures, and a 52-year-old female homemaker struggling with chronic fatigue syndrome for which her eco-anxiety was exacerbated by restrictions on mobility. Over 8 weeks in the program session, each participant was awarded weekly 60-minute sessions featuring hypnotic nature imagery (e.g., Hong Kong forests in Tai Mo Shan, Sai Kung beaches, Pok Fu Lam Reservoir) Reiki energy balancing targeting emotional and physical restoration and mindfulness exercises specific to their urban lifestyles. Pre-intervention and post-intervention EDS scores and qualitative self-reports suggest a steady 20-point decrease in anxiety (case A: 65 to 45), along with better emotional resiliency, renewed sense of connection to nature. This research shows that this multi-faceted approach has potential to not only improve individual eco-anxiety but also promote sustainable behaviours. Offering a practical model for addressing climate-related psychological burdens in urban settings. Further correlated studies on a larger scale are encouraged for further validation and to build on these preliminary results.