No matter how hopeless or severe a clinical problem, Erickson always seemed to know of something that could be done. Without a road map to explain their construction, the complexity of his ingenious techniques is intimidating. However, Erickson formulated his overall approach using a few simple strategies. This deeper level of understanding can be learned by almost anyone and is especially important when using powerful therapeutic techniques.
The ability that Dr. Milton Erickson had for “reading the patient” and get information from them in order to build a context in which change was easy to obtain is an area that has been often overlooked due to the difficulty to understand the process that he was using. In what way was he carefully observing the patient to gain personal information from them? Several techniques will be listed and demonstrated in order to become an observant and strategic therapist.
Excellent supervisors have a way of joining well with their supervisees. Supervisors build strong associations with supervisors, help supervisees extol their areas of incompetence to collaboratively build competencies, and supervisors learn to utilize what the supervisee brings to enhance the quality of the relationship. Through the supervisory relationship, supervisors/supervisees collaboratively generate approaches to working with clients, building appropriate treatment plans, and helping supervisees develop skills needed to work independently.
Recently a set of core competencies was identified and endorsed by a majority of the leading figures in Ericksonian therapy. These key concepts have been subjected to empirical testing and found to be pivotal to the identity of this unique form of therapy. Dan Short, author of the recently released Core Competencies Manual for Ericksonian Therapy, will provide an overview of this wealth of information.