Ericksonian Hypnosis: A New Frontier In Hypnosis

From very ancient times, to the current modern age, hypnosis has had a place in our culture and medical fields.  Although, widely used by various doctors throughout the years, hypnosis was not considered a necessarily viable means of assistance.  The world of psychology took an interest in hypnosis, and used it with some measure of success.

Today, a widely accepted means of hypnosis, called Ericksonian hypnosis, is used in many different applications.

What Is The Difference Between Ericksonian Hypnosis And Traditional Hypnosis?

Traditional hypnosis comes to mind when contemplating hypnotherapy.  This involves the hypnotherapist giving direct commands to a patient that is in a trance, or an extremely relaxed state of consciousness. These commands are said in a powerful manner.

Milton Erickson was born in 1902 and grew up in a rural environment.  Ericksonian hypnosis, was far from his mind as he went through his childhood.  His education was not very advanced, and in fact he was color blind, dyslexic and tone deaf.  Not the image of someone who would then create Ericksonian hypnosis, and become very well known.

When he was seventeen, he contracted polio.  This left him paralyzed.  His parents, doing the best they could, tied him to a chair during the day, and he was left in the house.  As Milton was unable to move, he spent a lot of time watching people and their body language.  He noticed the subtle nature of body language, and how sometimes we say no when our bodies say yes.  He also, began using visualization to picture himself outside playing.  While using this extreme concentration, he noticed that he could move the chair he was sitting in.  He also watched as his baby sister learned to walk, and imitated her motions, and began walking himself.

All of these beginnings helped him create the Ericksonian hypnosis process.  This involves indirect suggestion, as opposed to the classic direct approach.  The Ericksonian hypnosis process can either use the trance state or by just story telling.

When using the Ericksonian hypnosis process and story telling, a general theme is covered over and over in order for the subconscious mind to pick up the subtle message given.

Ericksonian hypnosis is in wide use today.  There are many different methods and approached to this form of hypnosis.  They can range from therapy where a trance state is induced and then indirect suggestions are then made, to the more subtle approach of a talk therapy program.

Ericksonian hypnosis seems to work for many people, that traditional hypnotherapy has been unable to help.