The Answer Within: A Clinical Framework of Ericksonian Hypnotherapy

by Stephen R. Lankton and Carol Hicks Lankton

Book Overview

The first volume to appear in the Crown House Classics Series, The Answer Within fits the bill perfectly as it is both classic and completely contemporary. With new introductions by the authors, The Answer Within illuminates the genius of Milton H. Erickson as a psychotherapist and demonstrates how the principles that anchored his creativity can be incorporated into an effective therapeutic approach that is both flexible and grounded...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1845901215
• ISBN13: 9781845901219
• Release Date: July 2008
• Publisher: Crown House Publishing
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Metaphor and Trance in Ericksonian Hypnotherapy

From Preface: A pioneer in the clinical use of hypnosis, Milton Erickson published over 150 articles and co-authored 6 books. He founded the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis in 1957 and edited the 'American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis' from 1958 to 1968. He hypnotized over 30,000 people all over the world in conducting research and treatment. His work in hypnosis has resulted in the 'discovery' and clinical use of many techniques and theories now used both in and outside of hypnotic settings. Some of his techniques, such as paradox, metaphor, therapeutic double binds, and symptom prescription, are now well-know and frequently used in non-hypnotic therapies. The purpose of this book is to illustrate the clinical aspects of Erickson's work, rather than overemphasizing the mechanical aspects. We present here the structure of much of Erickson's hypnotherapy work, especially his use of embedded metaphors. Overall, we emphasize techniques only in the context of understanding the actual logic of treatment in an Ericksonian style. Whether we are dealing with the micro-dynamics of voice tone or macroscopic level of clients' life development, we focus on Ericksonian intervention within multiple embedded metaphors and strategically used trance phenomena. Erickson was well-known for his wit. His creative wit blossomed everywhere -- in his treatment, his teaching, his child-rearing, in the frontispieces of books he signed, in his greetings and even in a wedding 'ceremony' he conducted for us. His approach to people was the same as his approach to himself: teach the mind to concentrate on the countless learnings, potentials, and resources that lie within." ****************** Contents Include: I - BACKGROUND AND DIAGNOSIS 1 - Historical Framework * History of therapeutic hypnosis * Indirection * Unconscious and conscious * Utilization 2 - Principles of Treatment: The Attitudinal Framework * Internal Maps * Best Choice * Theories are not the client * Respect all messages * Teach Choice * Resources Lie Within * Meet Clients at their Model * Flexibility * Can't Not Communicate * Reduce to Component Bits * Outcomes at Psychological Levels 3 - The Diagnostic Framework * A systems and transactional approach * Etiology of the social map * An experiential map * Symptoms and the map of the social network * Parameters of the client-system * A case of stomach ulcer * The case of a child abuser 4 - Metaphor: The Cognitive Framework * Paradox * Hybrids of comparison * Frame changes * Perceptual changes * Behavioral changes * Affect changes * Drama in metaphor * Dramatic theme and therapeutic outcomes * Metaphoric treatment: transcript * Transcript of Erickson's embedded metaphor * Ideomotor response and client feedback * Symbols and concepts in the dramas PART 2: INDUCTION AND RESOURCES 5 - Induction and Indirection: The Interpersonal Framework * Safeguards and ill effects * Attitude and confidence * Social foundations o

You Cannot Practice Hypnotherapy Without this Seminal Work!

I am not going to write a great deal about this book. It speaks for itself and stands on its own. The Answer Within is also the answer that every practicing hypnotherapist must have. Must. With out the in depth knowledge of the precise techniques, so carefully detailed and skillfully analyzed by the Lankton's, especially the insightful and highly practical prose of Carol Lankton, it would take a life time to develop half of the knowledge contained in this delightfully written text. The great care and skill shown by Carol and Stephen Lankton make this text come alive and thereby allows the wealth of knowledge it contains flow easily to the reader. Although this book is specifically targeted to skilled professionals, the concepts, useful & practical concepts, can be grasped and used by the layperson. I also believe that there is little or no chance of harm or any difficulty arising by a non professional studying this work. In fact, if you spend the time to grasp and understand the basic framework and specialty specific vocabulary, it is one hell of a read. I recommend it to any person that is studying or practicing hypnotherapy - it is a MUST HAVE! To the interested layman - you can gain a keen insight into a world of treatment and knowledge of your inner self that you probably did not existed in this shape or form. Amazing! Buy the book. Grow. Learn. Find YOUR Answer. This is the seminal tome.