Ericksonian Hypnosis
Many people do not know that besides classical hypnosis, when a hypnotherapist authoritatively tells you what to do and feel, today there are other, more modern and effective methods of hypnosis.
Ericksonian hypnosis is named after its creator, Milton Erickson (1901-1980), who received worldwide recognition as a psychotherapist-practitioner. His approach to altered states of consciousness formed the basis of both Ericksonian hypnosis and neurolinguistic programming (NLP). Both of these methods are related to suggestive psychotherapy, which gives a quick strategic result.
"Most of our life is determined by the unconscious." Milton Erickson.
Milton Erickson, MD, founder and first president of the American Society for Clinical Hypnosis, and associate professor at Wayne University. He was the head of the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association and the American Psychopathological Association, and was a member of the American Psychiatric Association. His name is associated with the founding of the Training and Research Foundation of the American Society for Clinical Hypnosis.
At seventeen, Erickson suffered polio. The disease was extremely difficult, and doctors feared that he would not survive. On the night the illness reached its tipping point, Milton experienced what he called an "autohypnotic experience."
Erickson: While I was in bed that night, I heard three doctors tell my parents in another room that their boy might be dead by morning. I felt intense anger that someone was telling a mother that her son might be dead the next morning. My mother then came to me with the most serene face she could possibly get. I asked her to rearrange the chest of drawers, put it to the side of the bed and turn it at a certain angle. She didn't really understand why I needed this, she decided that I was delusional. It was difficult for me to speak. But at that angle, with the help of the mirror on the dresser, I could see through the doorway the west window in another room. I would be damned if I died without seeing another sunset. If I could draw even a little, I could even sketch that sunset.
Rossi: Your anger and anticipation of another dawn was the way you kept yourself alive on that critical day, despite the doctors' predictions. But why do you call it an autohypnotic experience?
Erickson: I saw the endless sunset colored the whole sky. But I know there was still a tree outside the window, but I crossed it out.
Rossi: Did you strike it out? Is this the same selective perception that allows you to say that you were in a state of altered consciousness?
Erickson: Yes, I did it unconsciously. I saw the entire sunset in its entirety, but I did not see the hedge and the large boulder that was there. I crossed out everything except the sunset. After I saw the sunset, I passed out for three days. When I finally woke up, I asked my father why they removed the hedge, tree and boulder. I didn't realize that I had taken them out of there myself when I focused all my attention so intensely at the sunset. Then, when I began to recover and realized the loss of some of my opportunities, I began to wonder how I would earn a living. By that time I had already published my work in one national agricultural journal. "Why Young People Leave Farms". I no longer had the strength to be a farmer, but maybe I could become a doctor.
Due to the transferred polio, Erickson was paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. As a result, he developed his own method that helped him cope with the consequences of this serious illness and remain socially active for the rest of his life. Erickson received patients and was engaged in teaching until a ripe old age, he had a big friendly family. It was this personal overcoming of the disease that helped Milton Erickson create a new direction of psychotherapy based on the use of hypnotic trance in combination with a special language of hypnosis, in which the suggestion is made softly, without violence, bypassing the patient's consciousness. This hypnotic language is figurative, vivid, multilevel (words are used in such a way that they can have different meanings on a conscious and unconscious level). Besides,
Ericksonian hypnosis is distinguished by carefulness and respect for the patient's desires - he is always given the opportunity to choose, he can either accept the suggestion or leave it unattended. The fact that the work takes place in a trance state greatly enhances the effectiveness of psychotherapy. In a trance state, it becomes possible to directly work with the unconscious layers of the patient's psyche, bypassing the control of consciousness, inhibiting or even blocking the process of change.
The Nature of Therapeutic Trance in Ericksonian Hypnosis
Erickson's approach to hypnosis was fundamentally anti-theoretical, individual and pragmatic. Milton Erickson in his work primarily used knowledge gained in practice, and not theoretical reflections. He never even formulated a unified theory of hypnosis, nevertheless, Erickson left behind many books in which he expressed his views on hypnotic trance.
- Trance as an inner guided state. Hypnotic trance in Ericksonian hypnosis is a state when the attention of the hypnotized is turned from the outside world inward, and the voice of the hypnologist directs this inner attention. At the same time, the focuses of attention, so numerous in our everyday life, are limited to a relatively small number. It turns out that the patient is not distracted by irrelevant external stimuli, the limitations of his usual frames of reference are removed, and, thanks to this, learning new things in trance occurs more intensively.
- Trance as a highly motivated state. Ericksonian hypnosis uses the patient's personal psychodynamics and motivation to induce and develop the trance experience, avoiding standardized approaches that usually neglect the patient's individuality. It is the patient's motivation that prompts him to direct the focus of attention inward, and experts in Ericksonian hypnosis always take into account the patient's individuality when guiding and utilizing a trance.
- Trance as active unconscious learning. Erickson believed that patients' problems were related to acquired limitations. The purpose of trance in Ericksonian hypnosis is to mitigate these acquired limitations of the patient's conventional frames of reference to enable him to become aware of the variety of choices from the vast array of unconscious possibilities. After the liberation of consciousness from ordinary attitudes, prejudices and blocks, learning can occur on an autonomous or unconscious level. Thus, the Ericksonian hypnotherapist first removes the limitations acquired by the patient and then helps the patient to use the accumulated life experience, knowledge and skills in order to create and rebuild himself from the inside, at an unconscious level, avoiding the limitations of consciousness. It turns out that in Verikson hypnosis,
- Trance as an altered state of consciousness. Hypnotic trance in Ericksonian hypnosis is considered as an altered state of consciousness, which is neither wakefulness nor sleep. In this case, it is only necessary to create this altered state only once, and in order to re-induce it, it becomes enough only "symbolic" associations (some color, sound, memory of the state when the trance arose for the first time). Anyone who has ever experienced a deep therapeutic trance can attest to how different this state is from the waking state. At the moment when the trance subject returns to the waking state, he may find it difficult to answer such simple questions as: what day is it, or how much time has passed while he was in a trance. He can experience in a trance state sensations, as if the size and shape of the body or some of its parts change, arms or legs may become invisible or cease to be felt. In order to experience a deep and truly satisfying trance experience, it is important to learn to subjugate and reject waking behaviors, that is, to abandon some of the acquired limitations and usual frames of reference that are characteristic of conscious attitudes.
- Subjective trance experience. Each person experiences trance in their own way, depending on their personality and life history. A general characteristic of the experience of trance in Ericksonian hypnosis is that everything seems to happen by itself. So, for example, the hand of the trance subject can begin to rise by itself (this is called "hand levitation"). Very often, such processes cause surprise and awareness of the contrast between what happens by itself and what we think we control and direct. Our inner life is a dialogue between what happens to us and what we do about it. Feelings, sensations, emotions, moods, fantasies and associations always arise spontaneously at the subconscious level and present themselves at the threshold of consciousness. How we learn to respond to these spontaneous manifestations greatly determines our sense of reality, mental health, and well-being. For example, we can respond to something new that happens in our sensations or dreams,
The unconscious in Ericksonian hypnosis
In
Ericksonian hypnosis use the concepts of "consciousness" and "unconscious". What do these concepts mean? Imagine that your mind consists of two parts - conscious and unconscious. The conscious mind is the part that analyzes, criticizes, thinks logically and rationally, directs and focuses attention, is responsible for speech, abstract thinking and conscious effort. Consciousness is a characteristic of the functioning of the left hemisphere of the brain (for right-handers, for left-handers - the opposite is true). In a trance, the left hemisphere begins to work less actively, and all the therapist's efforts are aimed at moving consciousness away from the rigid framework and limitations of consciousness.
The right hemisphere of our brain is responsible for creativity, intuition, pantomime, kinesthetic (bodily) sensations, musical and visual-spatial perception, spontaneity, comfort, psychic abilities; this is the area of unconscious processes. The unconscious or subconscious is the part that governs bodily functions, from heartbeat to breathing. All your memories, desires and fantasies are stored in the subconscious, all the experience accumulated over life, from infancy onwards, all knowledge and skills. Wisdom, creativity dwells here. This is where the ability to solve problems lives. But it is also the area where the sources of all our problems, fears and illnesses are contained. Now you probably understand why immersion in a trance and communication with the subconscious directly.
Unlike other methods of psychotherapy, the essence of the approach of Ericksonian hypnosis lies precisely in the appeal to the creative subconscious of a person and to unconscious learning in a state of trance. "Most of our life is determined by the unconscious" - this phrase belongs to Milton Erickson. The same idea was expressed earlier by the founder of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud, who believed that human behavior is mainly governed by unconscious drives and desires (according to Freud, mainly sexual), which are contained in the subconscious. The fundamental difference between Erickson's approach to the unconscious is that he was one of the first psychotherapists who began to view the subconscious not as a source of problems, but as a huge reservoir of potential resources and opportunities - health, well-being, achievements, successes, victories, joyful and happy moments that you once experienced. Unfortunately, this powerful reservoir of resources is not available to most people in everyday life, however, it can be accessed through hypnosis and activated all these resources for the benefit of the person.
To all that has been said, we can add that today scientists with the help of modern devices for studying the activity of the brain have established that in a trance state the work of the left and right hemispheres of the brain is balanced, and as a result of this, our brain enters the mode of operation in alpha rhythms, which is already in itself has a healing effect on the entire body and psyche of a person. In addition, when working with negative experiences in a hypnotic trance state, you have the opportunity to relive these situations in a safe environment and, using the tips and help of the therapist, find new ways to deal with difficult situations.
As a result, a new experience of positive experiences is recorded in the subconscious, for which it does not matter whether the solution to the problem occurred in real life or in a hypnotic trance. This leads to a restructuring of the psyche, and problems, illnesses and difficulties remain in the past. Hypnosis, therefore, is the help that the therapist provides in order for the patient to enter a state of trance, turning the focus of his attention inward, and triggering unconscious internal mechanisms to find a solution to his problem.
Unconscious learning and circumvention of the limitations of consciousness in Ericksonian hypnosis
According to Erickson, hypnosis facilitates learning and makes openness and willingness to accept change more likely. This is not about an instilled drowsy state. In Ericksonian hypnosis, the therapist does not "immerse" his patients, they do not lose self-control, and they are not guided by the will of another person. In fact, the trance state experienced with hypnosis is a natural state that everyone has experienced many times, and so are you. The most familiar state of this kind occurs when we fall into dreams; other forms of trance may occur during meditation, prayer, or a repetitive physical exercise sometimes referred to as "moving meditation."
In such cases, the person realizes that internal states and sensations are perceived more vividly than external stimuli, such as sounds and movements, which are given less importance. Under the influence of hypnosis, the patient often begins to intuitively understand the meaning and meaning of dreams, symbols and other forms of expression of the subconscious. The suggestions of a hypnotherapist in a state of hypnotic trance are perceived less critically, but nevertheless, if these suggestions run counter to the patient's values, then either their assimilation will be partial, or they will be completely rejected.
If the hypnotherapist's suggestions are accepted, stable changes occur in the patient's behavior and system of relations. The stability of the changes can be explained by the fact that under the influence of hypnosis, the patient's abilities for unconscious learning awaken, and he begins to use them. That is, in a trance, you come into contact with your own unused knowledge accumulated throughout your life. It turns out that by remembering these forgotten skills, you can incorporate them into the structure of your behavior, which will become more constructive and strengthen your personality. Impact of
Ericksonian hypnosis stable and leads to intrapsychic changes that reproduce and maintain themselves and lead to further changes. Such stability of changes when using Ericksonian hypnosis is due to the fact that the work is aimed at internal growth, self-disclosure and self-acceptance by a person.
Differences between classical hypnosis and Ericksonian hypnosis:
It is important to understand that when we compare classical and Ericksonian hypnosis, we are not talking about two different hypnosis, but about two approaches to hypnosis, which are very different from each other. In classical hypnosis, an authoritarian approach is used, the hypnotist exploits such means of influence as a "magnetic gaze" and an imperious voice, while the hypnotist himself thinks that he has a special magnetism and power over other people.
In Ericksonian hypnosis, a permissive approach is used - the trance subject (the person who is hypnotized) feels and understands that practically everything is "allowed" to him. At the same time, a hypnologist working in Ericksonian hypnosis considers himself to be a guide, a guide who helps the trance subject to navigate in the process of hypnosis, and the partner, equal relationship between the hypnologist and the patient is especially emphasized. If in traditional hypnosis the hypnotist seeks to create a relationship of submission, then in Ericksonian hypnosis, on the contrary, there is a release.
In traditional hypnosis, the main emphasis is on implanting certain thoughts, ideas, feelings and sensations into a person's head with the help of direct directive suggestions. In
Ericksonian hypnosis, suggestions are also used, however, the main work is aimed at releasing and starting to actively use what a person already has inside - his positive experience, accumulated knowledge and skills, skills, memories. The Ericksonian hypnotherapist's primary concern is to help you make the most of your own capabilities and resources to achieve your goals.
Suggestions in Ericksonian Hypnosis
Scientists estimate that most people use no more than 10% of their mental potential. Our consciousness is too narrow, rigid and limited in its ideas about what we are capable of. Our education and upbringing system taught us certain skills and armed us with some knowledge, but at the same time constrained us with rigid frameworks of prejudices against our abilities and subjective ideas about what we can and what not. Many times in the past you have probably had such moments when you could be so immersed in something that interests you that you simply did not notice anything around. At such moments, you are able to “not hear” what is being said right next to you, “not see” anything other than what you are doing, “not feel”, for example, that your posture is uncomfortable, and your leg is numb and numb. All this you do easily and automatically, when you do not think about it. However, if you are asked to “not hear” or “not see” anything right now, your reaction is likely to be confusion: you may think you don't know how to do it. Our consciousness does not know how it is "not to hear" and "not to feel" on direct instructions, although in appropriate circumstances we do it easily and without thinking.
In
Ericksonian hypnosis, special forms of suggestions are used - indirect suggestions. This form of hypnotic suggestion is aimed at ensuring that a person can perform certain actions that he finds it difficult to do consciously, although automatically and unconsciously they are quite accessible to the same person in certain life situations. With the help of such indirect forms of suggestion, characteristic of Ericksonian hypnosis, the patient becomes able to control and direct such reactions that are usually regulated by the subconscious.
Erickson has developed and inherited many unique forms of indirect hypnotic suggestion, which allow you to momentarily change the limitations of consciousness that bind the patient and open up to the inner potential. A well-trained expert in Ericksonian hypnosis is, first of all, a good observer, skillfully recognizing what is hindering the development of each individual patient. The Ericksonian hypnotherapist seeks to provide the means to liberate and revitalize human development, the use of which is already the patient's responsibility.
Using Learning Stories in Ericksonian Hypnosis
Milton Erickson himself has often skillfully interweaved teaching stories in his work with trance states - stories from his own life and the lives of his relatives and other stories told in the form of parables, which are brilliant examples of the art of persuasion. It is these teaching stories that are the "trademark" of
Ericksonian hypnosis , they give the therapy a special charm and, of course, increase its effectiveness. These trance stories are also called therapeutic metaphors, and they can influence the unconscious and provide an impetus for lasting positive changes in a person's behavior. Moreover, the impact of Ericksonian hypnosis leads precisely to such changes that reproduce and support themselves and lead to further changes.
Through teaching stories, a hypnologist provides new information, evokes new feelings, and encourages new experiences. Communication takes place at different levels, including the unconscious. New, life-affirming views can be transmitted to the patient both in the waking state and in the hypnotic state. And then you may find that you don't have to rely entirely on standard thinking and remain trapped in your own limiting attitudes.
Patients often identify themselves with the characters of therapeutic metaphors, thereby absorbing the qualities, knowledge and skills that they need to successfully solve their problems, and this new experience then passes into real life. This can be illustrated by solving sexual problems such as premature ejaculation. If the patient, being in a hypnotic trance, was able to experience the same sensations that arise when enjoying a successful intercourse, then this means that the psychotherapist was able to add to his memories a sense of success and the expectation of further success.
As an example of Milton Erickson's teaching stories, I will cite a story from his book "My voice will stay with you ...", which is called "How to get from room to room."
I asked the student: "How do I get from this room to another?"He replied: "First you need to get up. Then take a step ...".I stopped him and said: "Name all the ways you can go from one room to another."He said: "You can run, you can step, you can jump on one leg or two; you can do somersaults. You can leave the building, go around it from the outside and enter the room through another door. If you want, you can climb through the window ... ".I said: “You promised to think big, but you yourself made a mistake, a serious mistake. taxi to the airport, bought a ticket to Chicago, from there I would fly to New York, London, Rome, Athens, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Honolulu, Chicago, Dallas, then back to Phoenix, drive up to the house in a limousine, enter through backyard, through the back door, through the back door into this room. And you only thought of going forward! And you didn't think of going in the opposite direction, did you? And besides, you forgot that you can get to the room by crawling. "The student added: "Or, accelerating, ride on your stomach."
How much we limit ourselves in our thinking!
