Product reviews for Ericksonian Approaches - Second Edition

Ericksonian Approaches: A Comprehensive Manual was originally published in 1994.This new edition including all the tried and true methods and techniques given in the first edition, adds much more. Exercises throughout the book have been enhanced. New sections on Rossi -˜s work, emergency and trauma, and other utilizations of hypnosis have been updated. Each chapter carefully places the material into its relevant context with important theories and findings on the topic. Practical instructions, Ericksonian stories, and exercises help the reader to integrate and personalize the learning. Chapters also are filled with sound advice for effective practice of psychotherapy in general, such as the fourth chapter on building rapport, certainly a vital skill for any therapist. Along with several other contributors, the two authors weave their expertise together into a well-integrated tapestry of Ericksonian methods.

Early on, the authors offer what they believe to be Erickson -˜s most “encompassing and functional”(p 30) definition of hypnosis, as the communication of ideas and understandings that help clients to become receptive and feel motivated so they will make needed changes. Interpreting Erickson -˜s therapy as a form of verbal communication sets the agenda for this book -˜s thorough treatment of the Ericksonian use of language. Instructions are included for many Ericksonian language forms with a clear summary of NLP theory and detailed instructions on how to prepare and deliver hypnotic messages.

In the 1960's, the Mental Research Institute (Jackson, Bateson, Haley, etc) developed a systems-communications theory of change based on logical types at different levels, called first-order and second-order change. The authors explain this theory well in a chapter on hypnotherapy without trance and show how to put them to use.

Erickson believed that trance was one of the best environments in which to bring about change, and so the authors carefully lead the reader through the induction of trance to enhance responsiveness in the Ericksonian way. Included are explanations of trance phenomena such as ideodynamic responses and one of Erickson -˜s favorite ways to communicate: the story. The authors interpret stories as a form of metaphor, and they proceed to address metaphors in great depth. Four detailed chapters describe how to build simple and complex metaphors with clear instructions for how to create guided metaphors. Battino also shares his innovate use of art as hypnotherapeutic metaphor.

Utilization is the final set of topics, including applications to psychological, medical, and dental problems. The authors outline step-by-step models for readers to follow along and include case reports to illustrate and exercises to practice. Several specialists also have contributed chapters such as Ericksonian approaches in medicine, Ericksonian applications to dentistry, and Ericksonian methods for substance abuse. The authors offer an overview of new findings about hypnosis and the brain along with Rossi -˜s innovations in psychobiology and mind/body therapy. Other topics are hypnotherapy for people with life-challenging diseases and ethical/legal considerations.

The authors conclude that Erickson-˜s two major contributions are his utilization principle and “his precise use of vague language”(p.560).With this information-packed book, the authors succeed in setting readers squarely on the path to utilizing vague language precisely! We highly recommend Ericksonian Approaches to anyone interested in learning and integrating these powerful methods into his or her practice.