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PrintMilton Erickson - Going Beyond "The Cult"
Milton Erickson’s case studies are legendary. As with many legends, cults have grown up around the man and his life. There are numerous 'Ericksonian' schools and practitioners all over the World and his reputation grows by the day.However, I believe that if we study Erickson’s life and work merely to increase our sense of wonderment and awe then we are missing much of the potential of such study. In short we have to look at what he was doing rather than what he was. When reading Milton Erickson’s words it is clear you are reading about people, not about ‘psychology' or ‘science' Despite his sophisticated and advanced understanding, his life long fascination with teaching healthier personal attitudes shines through.
I believe that Milton Erickson had some very important things to say about human motivation and the every day nature of trance and hypnosis. In addition to its therapeutic value, he showed its central role in emotional problems.
It may seem irreverent, but it is possible that present-day therapists or those in the future may be more skilled than Erickson was. Would we term such people ‘Ericksonians?' To be as effective as Milton Erickson doesn’t mean just aping him, but working from similar principles and learning to see and observe in ways comparable with his (legendary) human observation.
Next, Ericksonian Hypnosis Handshake
