Meet McKing, a skilled hypnotist dedicated to helping individuals overcome trauma, eating disorders, and various emotional challenges. With a deep understanding of the mind-body connection, McKing uses the transformative power of hypnosis to guide clients toward healing and personal growth.
Whether it’s breaking free from the grips of anxiety, managing stress, or addressing unhealthy patterns, McKing creates a safe, compassionate environment where individuals can embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Through his unique approach, he empowers others to reclaim control of their lives and achieve lasting positive change. Read to find out how he got started on this journey.
What led you to pursue a career in hypnotherapy, and how did you discover its potential for helping people with mental health issues?
What happened to me was that when I was 20 years old, my lung ‘burst’ in my sleep, and I nearly died. That ended up causing trauma, and I found myself in depression. I learned something called NLP—neurolinguistic programming and I realised that my issues could be resolved. As I explored further into NLP, I realised the core of NLP actually comes from hypnosis. I hypnotised myself to resolve my depression, trauma, and PTSD—to clear all of it out.
It wasn’t until I helped my mom that things really changed. She didn’t have mental health issues but a physical one. Long story short, she injured her hand but she didn’t want to see a doctor or take TCM. On the fourth day, I noticed she was still in pain, and her arm was swollen. I said, “Let me do five minutes of hypnosis. I’ll reduce your pain and potentially heal your arm.” She was skeptical but said, “Fine, five minutes.” So I did the hypnosis.
By the time we had lunch with my brother, her arm was fine. The swelling was gone. That’s when I realised I had a unique set of skills and a unique perspective on how the mind and body are connected. I wondered if I could make this a practice to help more people. That’s how I became a hypnotist ten years ago.
Can you explain what causes issuses such as anxiety, depression, and trauma?
The simplest way to understand it is that there is a conscious mind and an unconscious mind. The conscious mind is the logical gatekeeper. Right now, as you’re listening or reading, whatever you choose to pay attention to comes through the conscious filter.
The unconscious mind is the opposite—it’s emotional and illogical. Between the conscious and unconscious mind, there is something I call a secondary filter. This filter is formed during childhood, shaped by our parents’ words, actions, and behaviours—whether harmful or good. All of this information forms that secondary filter. For example, if your mom is highly anxious, as a child you might see anxiety as normal.
Some mental health issues seem inherited or psychologically learned from the family environment. Trauma works similarly. If a father is abusive—physically or verbally—it can create fear. Even in moments of peace, the fear persists, leading to anxiety about when the next explosion might happen. These are the two main sources of mental health issues—learned behaviours from the home environment or trauma from abuse.
What are some common misconceptions people have about hypnosis, and how do you clarify them to your clients?
Some common misconceptions are that hypnosis is mind control or that it’s sleep. When I do hypnosis, you’re fully aware and in control. There are two main schools of hypnosis. The traditional method, often seen on TV, involves deep relaxation that resembles sleep. This method can take three to five sessions. But even then, it’s not actual sleep.
The way I practice hypnosis is more modern and conversational. You stay awake with your eyes open, and we converse. I need to understand what you’re experiencing to guide you through your mind and help you find solutions. It’s not sleep, and I can’t control your mind.
Hypnosis is consent-based. You can’t be hypnotised against your will. If parents bring their kids and say, “Make my kid behave,” I can’t do that. If the kid resists, I can’t force them. Hypnosis without consent wastes time and money.
Some common misconceptions are that hypnosis is mind control or that it’s sleep. When I do hypnosis, you’re fully aware and in control.
Can you share a memorable success story where hypnotherapy made a significant difference in someone’s life?
I’ve hypnotised more than 800 people over ten years. Many have had life-changing experiences in just one session. One woman was sexually assaulted at seven, molested at ten, and again at seventeen. She suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts. During hypnosis, we resolved all three traumas in one session. She later told me she felt peace for the first time in years.
Another case involved a woman with panic attacks at 4 p.m. daily. Hypnosis revealed the source—an incident from infancy. After resolving it, the attacks stopped permanently. These are just a few examples of how powerful and effective hypnosis can be.
How do you tailor your hypnotherapy sessions to address different mental health concerns, including phobias and eating disorders?
I would have a preliminary chat first – a 2-hour chat. I do not charge for this. I let them share the issues in their mind, and I analyse how their mind works. This chat is very important. During this session, I will also share how hypnosis works and how I think their mind works, so they get a better perspective of what’s happening.
We can then address it during the hypnosis itself, which is done at another time to work it out. Now, of course, when it comes to specific phobias, we have to understand that some phobias could stem from trauma, while others could be learned. For example, maybe the father had a fear of cats, and that’s why the son developed a fear of cats.
When it comes to eating disorders, most eating disorders probably have a traumatic source. However, some could be learned as well. We have to have that understanding first. The client has to share his or her life story so I know exactly where it’s coming from. Otherwise, I cannot assume it’s always one particular cause. Everyone is different.
What advice do you have for someone considering hypnotherapy but feeling skeptical or nervous about trying it?
First of all, hypnosis is a naturally occurring phenomenon. Every single person on earth – unless they’re brain dead – experiences some form of trance by themselves. Whenever you imagine something with pure emotion, your conscious mind is connecting with your unconscious mind.
That trance is hypnosis, and it happens multiple times a day. Now, if you still feel fear about hypnosis, I would ask – what is the fear about? Is it hypnosis itself, or is it fear of what you might see inside? Some people fear the “demons” or “gods” they might encounter in their unconscious mind. Others are afraid to face their trauma or past abuse.
Sometimes, it’s not hypnosis they fear but revisiting painful memories. That’s understandable. For some, it’s skepticism – “Is this even real?” And that’s fine. If you’re skeptical, go see someone else. Go to a counselor or psychiatrist. If you don’t actually want to solve your issue but just need a diagnosis, a psychiatrist can help with that.
Looking to the future, how do you see hypnotherapy evolving as part of mental health care in Singapore and globally?
Globally, hypnotherapy is already advancing, but in Asia – particularly Singapore – progress is slower. In the US, it’s easy to say, “Hey, I’m seeing a hypnotist,” but in Singapore, it’s still hush-hush. People are more closed-minded. However, I do see it slowly opening up, especially over the past 3 or 4 years. I’ve noticed more hypnotherapists popping up.
I believe people are recognising hypnotherapy as a good alternative for mental health care. The issue is public awareness. People still think hypnosis is “hocus pocus” or movie magic. They think it’s fake because science doesn’t “prove” it, but actually, science is studying hypnotherapy.
It recognises hypnotherapy as useful for pain reduction, stress, and anxiety. Hypnosis isn’t magic or devil’s work – it’s a tool. Public awareness is growing, but I wish it would happen faster.
Where do you see yourself, and what’s your vision for Singapore in the next 5 years?
Honestly, I’ll probably still be doing this. I’m not particularly ambitious – I’m not trying to expand or make it big. I just want to help people. I don’t do any marketing – no ads, no Google or Facebook. I believe anyone who finds my page is meant to see me. I believe it’s God-sent.
I hope the government recognises more alternative health care options. Right now, they’re pushing counseling and psychotherapy, which is great, but the system is swamped. People wait six months to a year to see someone. In the meantime, they suffer. It would help if the government acknowledged alternatives like hypnotherapy. This would give people more avenues instead of relying solely on counseling and psychotherapy.
Connect with McKing: LeeMcKing, Instagram and TikTok.
