In 1979, Milton Erickson and Jeffrey Zeig spent five hours reviewing a demonstration that Erickson conducted at a teaching seminar. That demonstration is now available as a training video for Ericksonian practitioners. Erickson’s experiential methods include the symbolic use of hypnotic phenomena, encouraging resistance, naturalistic confusion technique, seeding, and using isomorphic anecdotes. Jeffrey Zeig discusses the mechanics of Erickson’s unique approach to psychotherapy. Working with Resistance provides an opportunity to watch a master hypnotherapist demonstrate his technique.
This hypnotherapeutic session took place in 1978, and decades later, it’s just as powerful and engaging. Enhancing the viewer’s learning experience is Dr. Zeig’s discussion of the underlying elements of Erickson’s methods: the ARE model of instruction; the art of parallel communication; targeted utilization; and the use of implication. Erickson’s fluid repertoire, drawn from systematic thinking, includes the use of anecdotes, symbolic communication, and strategic seeding. The elicitation of solutions, based on promoting constructive associations and flexible thoughts and feelings, is an area of particular interest and one in which Erickson was especially elegant.
Educational Objectives:
To describe how EFT can be used with partners with attachment injuries.
To list three of the main elements in Emotionally Focused Therapy.
Aaron Beck (1995) selects a clinician to role-play a male client. The client, Mike, was abandoned by his wife after she had multiple affairs. Mike is a recovering alcoholic with a sexually transmitted disease who suffers from dating anxiety, childhood trauma, and feelings of inferiority. Beck demonstrates how to establish a collaborative relationship with the patient.
Albert Ellis (2000) demonstrates with two volunteers. The first volunteer is angry and intimidated by her supervisors. Humor and imagery are incorporated. The second volunteer feels a need to control others and is angry when she can’t. Ellis uses imagery to correct cognitive patterns and produce an emotional shift.
Ellis and Wolfe (1995) demonstrate with several volunteers. Beth, is troubled by her dominating mother. Ellis assigns a homework task. Next, Wolfe works with a volunteer who feels betrayed by her husband and brother. Ellis works with a second volunteer, Megan, who is ending a relationship with her boyfriend. Ellis uses imagery, confrontation and humor.
Alexander Lowen (2000) demonstrates with Ann, who he used as a ten years earlier. She reports that since that first session she has been free of severe asthma attacks. She is now troubled by the death of her father and mother, abuse from her brother, excessive weight gain and the onset of menopause. Lowen guides her through a series of movement exercises.