Hypnotherapist offers stress relief

Xiao Dan lolled on a sofa, droopy-eyed and slack-jawed, as Fang Xin spoke in a quiet, rhythmic voice next to her.

The hypnotherapist, who's also the director of the psychological counseling and psychotherapy center at Peking University, led Xiao into a trance.

Xiao, a 29-year-old sales manager (who asked that her real name not be used), came to Fang's small, cozy office in order to overcome a fear of public speaking.