This video features three separate cases, but all demonstrate Erickson’s fundamental method of utilization. Utilization is the foundation of solutions to all problems, and it is a philosophy of living which was central Erickson’s life and work as a therapist. He demonstrated that whatever existed in the situation, whatever the patient presented, could be utilized to advance the therapy.
In this video, Dr. Milton Erickson describes sexual development — from infancy to adulthood, with a focus on male sexual maturation. As Erickson’s describes sexual development, the viewer feels as if they are going through the process as well. Erickson also includes humorous anecdotes of his children as they grew into adults. At the end of the video Dr. Jeffrey Zeig comments on Erickson’s fascinating teaching methods and communication techniques.
In Part 2 of Dr. Erickson’s Orientation to Sexual Development, Milton Erickson continues his interesting lecture about the natural developmental processes involved with sexual/relational maturity. This video begins with Erickson telling charming stories of his sons sexually and relationally developing, which illustrate the principles outlined in the video.
Erickson demonstrates his utilization method of entering into the client’s world. He demonstrates his unique approach to working with dreams using a parallel process to stimulate strategic understandings of restrictive family patterns.
Erickson works hypnotically with a naive subject. He demonstrates the use of arousal state and destabilizing methods. Hypnosis can stimulate resources into play that can promote adaptive living.
This video contains the best illustration of how Milton Erickson's handles cases presented to him. Using both hypnotherapy and strategic directives, Erickson works with a woman who has a phobia of a flying in a plane. This significant case exemplifies the fundamental principles and practices of an Ericksonian approach. These can be applied to other presenting problems and used by clinicians who subscribe to other treatment methodologies for a particular problem.
Milton Erickson often advised psychotherapy students to study anthropology so that therapy could be provided from the perspective of the cultural background of the client. In the video, Erickson uses his understanding of cultural orientation when working with an adolescent where the presenting problem is a speech defect. This is a highly informative case of using strategic and systemic processes that can be applied to other presenting problems.
A client asks Erickson to help him stop smoking tobacco. Rather than using a formula, Erickson tailors a treatment approach to both address underlying problems and elicit resources.