Offering an entirely new fundamental model of hypnosis from an Ericksonian perspective, this book is valuable to the beginning and intermediate practitioner who wants to add hypnotherapy into clinical practice. It provides a comprehensive genealogy (an Ericksonian family tree), testimony to Dr. Erickson’s significant influence; deconstructs the key concepts of hypnosis; presents real-life cases, dispels myths; and demystifies the process of eliciting trance. It also compares and contrasts the traditional model of hypnosis with the Ericksonian model; delves into hypnotic evocative communication, “the language of hypnosis,” and the ARE model of hypnotic induction; and distinguishes between the three aspects of human experience: emotion, moods, and “states,” with “states” being the most operative in the elicitation of hypnosis, and effecting generative change.
Milton Erickson’s close association with hypnosis is well known. In fact, it was merely one tool in his therapeutic arsenal, albeit a powerful one. This book presents my interpretations of some Ericksonian hypnotic methods and is primarily about hypnotic induction. It delves into the fundamentals of Ericksonian hypnosis, as I understand it. I posit hypnosis as a syndrome. It does not have to be seen as a unique entity, which is the common view among experts. Also, the term “induction” is a misnomer. Hypnosis is elicited, not induced. Because “induction” is commonly associated with hypnosis, I use the term, but when I write, “induction,” think “elicitation.” —from the book
Contents Include…
Deconstructing Hypnosis (What is Hypnosis Anyway?)
Milton H. Erickson and the Foundation That Bears His Name
Tracking the Evolution of Erickson’s
“States”—The Geography of Change
An Experiential Introduction: Salvador Dali Meets Milton H. Erickson
The Traditional Model of Hypnosis
The Phenomenological Orientation
Hypnotic (Evocative Communication)
An Ericksonian Model of Induction and Hypnosis
The Language of Hypnosis: The Microdynamic Gift-Wrapping of Possibilities
The ARE Model: Absorb, Ratify, Elicit
“Zeig tells the story of the Ericksonian movement, and illuminates the hypnotic process under the Ericksonian lamp, and he accomplishes these objectives well. His delivery in this book mirrors his messages about Ericksonian hypnosis. He seems more intent on evoking in readers a lived experience of Ericksonian transformation than on logically explicating concepts and skills. I recommend this book for practitioners of psychotherapy and hypnosis, and for students in psychology, social work, counseling, psychiatry, medicine, and allied fields.”
