This section looks at some of the interesting approaches to hypnotherapy made by the late Milton Erickson and it is hoped that it will provide ideas for strategies that can be used in your own practice.

 

 

Prescribing the Symptom

Erickson theorized that if a pattern can be changed - albeit slightly - then this can lead to further changes.

Pain Relief and the Double Bind

One of Erickson's favourite stories was of the time when his son Allen, who was 8 at the time, fell and cut his leg on a...

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Unconscious Learning

Subjects who sleep walk could possibly be given post hypnotic suggestions that they will carry out a specified task during their sleep

Creating Amnesia for Pain

Erickson describes how he teaches patients to develop amnesia, as an alternative to anesthesia, for pain.

A Criteria for Psychotherapy

How to treat your clients - a short Ericksonian example

Directing People's Thinking

Erickson called it Indirect Ideodynamic Focusing but to my mind this account demonstrates a form of subliminal persuasion. .

Shock and Surprise

Erickson's cure for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - shock and surprise treatment

Bed Wetting

An Ericksonian approach to bed wetting - making it easy for a patient or client to discontinue an unwanted habit.