Milton Erickson's Biography(Books)(Photos)

Milton H. Erickson, md (1901 - 1980) was a
psychiatrist and psychologist regarded by

believed that almost every experience
contained a seed of valuable learning.

many as the foremost practitioner of medical
hypnosis in his time. He wrote "Hypnotic

Realities" and many other books dedicated to
the "Art of Hypnosis" and which document the

his professional life. His widow, Elizabeth,
still lives in Phoenix. They had eight

many things he learned while treating the
many patients he encountered.

children; the youngest five were living at
home during those years. Without exception,

Milton Erickson is considered the father of

they each remember patients fondly as an
important part of their growing up.

modern hypnotherapy. The therapy he
engendered, Ericksonian hypnotherapy, is one

Milton Erickson achieved an almost legendary

of the fastest growing and influential
branches of hypnotherapy today. His methods

reputation for the success he had with even
the most "impossible" clients. He was

have inspired short term strategic therapy,
the rebirth of guided imagery, and NLP

founding president of the American Society
for Clinical Hypnosis, as well as a fellow of

(Neuro-Linguistic Programming) to name a few.
Even John Bradshaw, in both of his acclaimed

several APAs: The American Psychiatric
Association, The American Psychological

series on PBS, frequently quotes Erickson and
calls him "the greatest therapist who ever

Association, and The American
Psychopathological Association.

lived."

He was noted for his often unconventional

Milton Erickson was a scientist and deeply
gifted hypnotist. Erickson knew how to

approach to psychotherapy, such as described
in the book Uncommon Therapy by Jay Haley;

hypnotize people and could do so in an
instant. Milton Erickson was internationally

for his extensive use of therapeutic metaphor
and story as well as hypnosis; and for

acclaimed, in his lifetime, as one of the
world's leading medical hypnotherapists.

coining the term Brief Therapy for his
approach of addressing therapeutic changes in

Erickson was educated in the psychoanalytic

relatively few sessions, often only a single
session.

tradition but he did not accept the premise
of incompatibility of basic human urges and

What sets Ericksonian Hypnosis apart from

civilized living standards. During World War
II, he worked for the Selective Service and

other, more traditional forms of hypnosis?
Perhaps the best way to gain insight into

examined literally thousands of young
draftees. From this experience, he expanded

this question is to follow Erickson's lead
and use stories, starting with Erickson's own

his understanding of human nature and gained
a larger appreciation for the vastness of the

dramatic life story. A story of courage and
determination and one that, to me, is a

normal human life. He also began his
understanding that a very brief encounter

confirmation of the belief that there are no
coincidences. Everything happens for a

could have significant information contained
and exchanged. The seeds of brief and

reason, and has benefit.

strategic therapy were sown.

Erickson was born in a pioneering and rural
farming country in 1902. The schooling he and

Even though he had a great faith in the basic
goodness and normalcy of most people and used

many of his brothers and sisters received was
basic, and thus it is not surprising that

that as a part of his therapy, Erickson
recognized mental illness and pathologies.

nobody noticed that young Milton was
experiencing the world in a rather unique

Cutting his professional teeth before the
advent of psychotropic drugs, and having done

manner: he was color blind, tone deaf, and
slightly dyslexic. These perceptual

part of his internship in a prison hospital,
Erickson knew the depths mental illnesses

abnormalities may have led Erickson to a
roadless traveled", but it wasn't until his

could create.

teenage years that his life would take a
truly pivotal turn - a turn that would effect

The name Erickson has become almost
synonymous with "indirect metaphors and

storytelling." He often believed that
approaching a problem indirectly was most

And what could you expect if you decided to

effective because it allowed patients
independence and dignity, and bypassed

go to an Ericksonian hypnotherapist today?
Hard to specify. In much the same way that

resistance because it did not require direct
information from the therapist. He did not

Erickson treated every patient on a very
individual basis, there are as many

hesitate, however, in being extremely direct
and forceful. He also did not hesitate to

approaches to the continuation of his work as
there are followers of it. There is a joke

make clear he had strong morals and that the
right way for people to behave is with

that kind of sums it up: "How many
Ericksonian hypnotherapists does it take to

change a light bulb?" Answer: "Seventeen. One
to change the bulb and sixteen to argue how