The Ericksonian Hypnosis

"Words wich relieve"

Ericksonian Hypnosis : What is it ?

Hypnosis
It is defined as a modified state of consciousness , something which everybody knows already, like when we are absorbed in a good book, spellbound by the fire in the hearth or simply lost in our thoughts, (although sometimes that can be somewhat “deeper”).

Ericksonian
So named because it is based on the work of Milton Erickson (1901-1980), who spent a large part of his life handicapped and who, as a result, developed an extraordinary sense of observation.
He sought to bring about, in his clients, a specific state which is sometimes called trance and demonstrated that a slight state of dissociation was enough to have results … ?
One of his specialities was to induce a state of “ennui” by telling stories with no endings (but which, of course, were made up of therapeutic qualities) guiding the patient to the desired result without he/she realizing what was happening…

Modified state of consciousness (trance)
A state of trance may lead to a variety of sensations :

• An array of physical sensations: heat, pins and needles, cold, heaviness, lightness…
• A feeling of being elsewhere.
• A facility for refinding memories.
• The sensation of simply “being”.
• The perceptions of those around you are no longer important.
• The impression of already knowing this particular state of being.
• The feeling of an immense interior potential.
• The feeling of comfort and ease at being in this state.
• ... And still more.

Obviously the subject may feel one or more of these sensations.

Despite generally accepted ideas...

• We do not sleep during hypnosis.
• We are not necessarily relaxed when we are in a trance.
• The subject is in control of the session.
• A deep trance is not necessary to reach the desired results.
• The subject cannot be forced to do something against his/her will.
• There is no transfer of symptoms with Ericksonian hypnosis.
• The worst that can happen is that the subject fall asleep (very rare).

The unconscious, according to Milton Erickson :

• It is distinct and functions differently from our conscious: it understands words in a literal way, is much quicker, is creative, always active and is always in the present, in a manner completely independent from our conscious.

And also :

• It regulates our biological functions.
• It is a reservoir of knowledge and the centre of our memory.
• It acts as an “interior guide”, responsible for protecting us under all circumstances.
• It allows the possibility of a link with the collective unconscious. (CG Jung)

How does a session work ?
Firstly, the therapist asks questions concerning the problem in an attempt to understand the process (and not the whole life story and personal details of the person), in order to help the client set an objective (positive, realizable) so that the “ecology”, or consequences for the person, may be examined.

Next, the “real” hypnotic session can begin. Induction (and there are numerous ways of inducing a trance), going deeper, the application of one or more techniques to help the person towards their objective, some suggestions for the following session, and finally, the “return”, sometimes with a conversation about what took place so that that may be taken into account for an eventual next session (and yes, sometimes one session is enough although mostly, several sessions are needed to “unravel the problem”.

There are many different techniques, using first the Ericksonian language, so rich and wonderful, and also metaphors, visualization techniques and indirect suggestions, not forgetting to leave a large place for the creativity of intuition…

What can be treated with Ericksonian hypnosis ?
The possibilities are so vast that they are almost unlimited: inhibitions, phobias, depression, anxiety, fears, stress and malaise, insomnia, tics, shyness, migraines, various chronic pains, motivation, mental preparation for athletes, sexual problems, bulimia and anorexia, skin problems, psoriasis, eczema, pruritus, shingles, warts, urticaria, chronic or one-off allergies, asthma, high blood pressure, weight problems and, of course, rapid treatment of all addictions (alcohol, tobacco, drug, food, gambling, buying…)

The possibilities are numerous and this list is by no means exhaustive...
(Extract from the site www.synergiepsy.com )