Tribute to Dr Erickson

Dr. Milton Erickson

Dr. Milton H. Erickson (1901-1980) attended the University of Wisconsin, where he earned his medical degree from Colorado General Hospital, simultaneously receiving a master's degree in psychology. He completed specialized training at the Colorado Psychopathic Hospital and began his career as a junior psychiatrist at the Rhode Island State Hospital. In 1930, he joined the staff of Worcester State Hospital in Massachusetts, where he became chief psychiatrist of the Research Service. Four years later, he moved to Eloise, Michigan, to serve as the director of psychiatric research and training at Wayne County General Hospital and Infirmary. Additionally, he was an associate professor of psychiatry at Wayne State University College of Medicine and a professor in the graduate school. He also held a brief appointment as a visiting professor of clinical psychology at Michigan State University in East Lansing.

In 1948, Erickson settled in Phoenix, Arizona, primarily for health reasons related to polio, which he contracted in his youth. This condition left him with physical limitations, but he used these experiences to develop a unique perspective on therapy. He entered private practice and became a prominent figure in the field of psychotherapy. He was a Fellow of both the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association, as well as a Fellow of the American Psychopathological Association.

Dr. Erickson was an honorary member of numerous medical hypnosis societies across Europe, Latin America, and Asia. He was the founding president of the American Society for Clinical Hypnosis and served as the editor of the society's professional journal. Since 1950, his professional life encompassed a busy private practice in Phoenix and extensive travel to conduct seminars and lectures throughout the United States and many foreign countries.

Erickson was known for his intense involvement with patients, and those who received his full attention often experienced profound impacts from his therapeutic style. His approach was characterized by a deep respect for the individual's autonomy and an emphasis on the therapeutic relationship. Despite his unique style, other therapists with different personalities and levels of involvement have successfully adapted many of his techniques.

Regarded as a master of the strategic approach to therapy, Erickson is often called the world's leading medical hypnotist. He dedicated his life to experimental work and innovative applications of hypnosis in therapy. While he is well known for his hypnotic techniques, Erickson also developed a strategic approach for individuals, couples, and families without the formal use of hypnosis.

Throughout his career, Erickson maintained a thriving psychiatric practice, addressing a wide range of psychological issues and supporting families at various life stages. His therapeutic style, even when not formally employing hypnosis, is deeply rooted in hypnotic principles, making his interventions appear to stem from that art. He introduced a diverse array of hypnotic techniques into therapy and broadened the understanding of hypnosis beyond mere ritual to a distinctive style of communication.

One way to conceptualize Milton Erickson's strategic therapy is as a logical extension of hypnotic techniques. His training in hypnosis fostered skills in observing individuals and the intricate ways they communicate, motivating clients to follow directives, and using his own words, intonations, and body movements to influence others. Erickson viewed people as inherently changeable, appreciated the malleability of space and time, and developed specific strategies to guide individuals toward greater autonomy. Just as a hypnotist might transform a severe symptom into a milder one or one of shorter duration, he envisioned shifting interpersonal problems into advantages.

Erickson’s legacy continues to influence the fields of psychotherapy and hypnosis, with many practitioners incorporating his techniques into their practices. His work laid the foundation for what is now known as strategic therapy and continues to inspire mental health professionals around the world.

Giulio Mike Bianco

Chicago Hypnotist