Developing Ericksonian Therapy

State of the Art

by Jeffrey K. Zeig and Stephen R. Lankton

Milton H. Erickson continues to fascinate and inspire thousands of practitoners with an innovative approach that has revolutionized existing therapeutic methodology. His growing influence was most recently relected by the tremendous participation in the Third International Congress on Ericksonian Approaches to Hypnosis and Psychotherapy. This exciting confrence was attended by over 1,800 highly enthusiastic professionals and led by a faculty of more than 150 nationally and internationally renowned practitioners in Ericksonian psychotherapy.

Now this eagerly awaited volume brings together 30 of the outstanding invited addresses from this Congress. It reflects the far-reaching state of the art in Ericksonian thinking and innovation. The 30 stimulating chapters offer a rich and varied collection of clinical and theoretical work by well-known practitioners such as Araoz, Crowley, Gilligan, Lange, C. Lankton, S. Lankton, Lustig, Mills, Rossi, Satir, Yapko, and Zeig.

Section 1 of this volume introduces the reader to the fundamental principles undrlying Ericksonian psychotherapy. It includes chapters examining what makes this therapy so effective, the power of hypnosis, the utilization approach, and strategic therapy. This section also provides overviews on the psychobiology of mind-body healing, motivation and the multiple states of trance, and the role of language in therapy. In addition, a number of contributors offer their personal perspectives on becoming an Ericksonian. An important area of Ericksonian thinking - individuation - is amply discussed.

Section 2 focuses on practice, including the newest therapy techniques - logical and paradoxical assignments, therapeutic metaphors for children and adolescents, and the phenomenological approach to hypnotic induction. Treatment is discussed in its various ramifications - for example, short-term intervention, naturalistic techniques, and marital and family therapy. Firsthand accounts of training with Erickson are vividly described.

Section 3 consists of an enlightening panel discussion with Lance Erickson, Robert Erickson, and Betty Alice Erickson Elliot on how Erickson encouraged individuality in his children. In Section 4, Virginia Satir delivers a loving keynote address on the "tools of the therapist."

Developing Ericksonian Therapy is a landmark in this feild which will be treasured by all practitioners who are exploring new areas of theory and application of an approach created by one of the true masters of our time.