Ericksonian hypnosis

[Jerome]

Hello, it's Jerome, Wolfie on the french forum.

One of my relatives, let's call her Lily, asked me whether I knew "ericksonian hypnosis". I told her "no", and, piqued by the mere fact of not knowing anything about it, began my own research on the Internet. I must say I'm not anywhere nearer to any "enlightened" opinion than I was when Lily asked me first about it. In the SotT podcasts, I heard what Laura had to say about hypnotherapy through her own experience, and derived from it that it may be as efficient as sometimes dangerous. But it seems that, when practised by people trained to "ericksonian" techniques, it could lead to consistently good results. I'd like to hear what you have to say about it, before giving any answer to Lily. She suffers from a lingering form of anorexia, though she tends to deny it. She is 34, and a bachelor, and would like to see clearer in herself and in "the reasons why..."

I'm at a loss in my trying to help her, so if there may be even one shadow of a hope there...

Thanks in advance

Jerome

 

[dj]

I read up a bit on Ericksonian hypnosis many years ago. I was very impressed with how powerful and direct it seemed to be, but I could never figure out exactly what he was doing to get such immediate results.

Since then, I've looked into NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) and I think Erickson's work is probably best explained in those terms. There's tons of info on NLP around. As with any tool, it can be used to help or to harm - so caution and knowledge of what you're actually doing is advised.

One of the best references I've read on anorexia is "The Secret Language of Eating Disorders" - a short book that is not really authoritative in the scholastic sense -- but it gave the most lucid and sensible description of anorexia I've read. It sounds off the wall, but if you think of the "voices" as programming, it makes sooo much sense. What I liked most about it was the way it gave me a way to effectively understand (maybe) and communicate with my wife during her anorexia. I credit it with being the biggest help I had in trying to help her with her battle with anorexia.

I think NLP can be very effective in working with anorexia because it deals specifically with personal programming and how to change or switch ones' programs.

best of luck to you and your relative.
dj

 

[Jerome]

I read up a bit on Ericksonian hypnosis many years ago. I was very impressed with how powerful and direct it seemed to be, but I could never figure out exactly what he was doing to get such immediate results.

That's exactly my case.

Since then, I've looked into NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) and I think Erickson's work is probably best explained in those terms. There's tons of info on NLP around. As with any tool, it can be used to help or to harm - so caution and knowledge of what you're actually doing is advised.

I also know quite well NLP. I think it is a good tool.

One of the best references I've read on anorexia is "The Secret Language of Eating Disorders" - a short book that is not really authoritative in the scholastic sense -- but it gave the most lucid and sensible description of anorexia I've read. It sounds off the wall, but if you think of the "voices" as programming, it makes sooo much sense. What I liked most about it was the way it gave me a way to effectively understand (maybe) and communicate with my wife during her anorexia. I credit it with being the biggest help I had in trying to help her with her battle with anorexia.

I think NLP can be very effective in working with anorexia because it deals specifically with personal programming and how to change or switch ones' programs.

best of luck to you and your relative.
dj

Thank you dj. I didn't know the book. I've just ordered it in the Internet. Your testimony gives me hope, because it seems that your wife doesn't suffer from it anymore.

Jérôme

 

[kinyash]

Hi Jerome,

Ericksonian Hypnosis is definitely a powerful tool that is especially good for therapy. The originators of NLP (Bandler and Grinder) actually studied the methods of Milton Erickson among others (Fritz Perls and Virginia Satir) and then used this to cut to the core of his methods and make them into a simple and effective usable format. I may be going out on a limb here, but it is useful to have some background on Milton Erickson. He suffered from poliomyelitis at age 17, and led a very difficult life healthwise thereafter. As a result of this disease, he was bedridden and hardly able to move for a long period of time while still relatively young. It was at this stage that he developed his powers of observation and concentration that led him to notice in great detail the behaviour and programs that people run. He became a skilled hypnotist capable of putting people into instant hypnotic trances and also developed the use of therapeutic Metaphors that drove straight to the subconcious. He was able to do this because of his ability (IMO!) to quickly figure out from each patients actions and words (and history when available) what "programs" a person was running, what beliefs they held and therefore what encrypted message the persons subconcious would be able to decode and act upon. Before Bandler,Grinder and the development of NLP, it was extremely difficult to understand and even replicate what Erickson was able to do, and especially the speed with which he effected lasting cures. You can read a brief and insightful biography of ME at _http://www.erickson-foundation.org/drerickson.html Needless to say, you must do your own research to ensure that if you are to seek therapy using Ericksonian hypnosis or NLP, you must ensure that you use somebody that is properly qualified and has a track record to boot. In the NLP field especially, you will find lots of fancy vocabularly, big egos and self centred politics. Tread with care.

 

[Renaissance]

She suffers from a lingering form of anorexia, though she tends to deny it. She is 34, and a bachelor, and would like to see clearer in herself and in "the reasons why..."

I'm not clear on the above. If she denies anorexia, how is she seeking 'the reasons why'?

I agree there seems to be a helpful use and also a harmful use of hypnotherapy. So, when is it harmful? I think it's when a person uses it to 'reprogram' primarily through direct or indirect suggestion. It appears that there is success in eliminating some programs through this method but it doesn't address the original trauma. And because the event was never dealt with, new programs will likely appear to protect our old injury. Hypnotherapy is probably of best use when it investigates trauma. A skilled hypnotherapist can provide a safe environment to revisit the trauma we experienced when we didn't have the coping mechanisms to be able to deal with the event or events. I think the safe environment helps facilitate a coping development where it was lacking in the program.

I think these threads could also help with understanding some of the issues involved:

http://www.cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php?topic=6989

http://www.cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php?topic=6419