In psychology, there are many scientists who have somehow influenced the development of science. But a special place among them is occupied by Milton Erickson, who, with his ideas, turned the minds of many people. This is an outstanding twentieth-century psychotherapist who has made a significant contribution to modern medical and psychological science. This is evidenced not only by the author’s works, but also by numerous publications about him.
Milton Erickson: biography
At the end of the nineteenth century, the parents of a well-known psychotherapist moved to Nevada to mine silver and gold. On December 5, 1901, the famous psychotherapist Milton Erickson was born there.
He went to school already in Wisconsin. Studying was not easy for him because of dyslexia. In 1919, after graduation, Milton fell ill with polio. This infection affected all the systems of his body, and doctors predicted his short life, spent only in a supine position. Having a large supply of time, the future famous scientist spent it on memories and training of feelings that are responsible for perception. He spent months mentally developing the movements he needed in order to look out the window, take a spoon in his hands, and so on. Not even a year had passed after the paralysis of the whole body, as Milton Erickson could already come on crutches to the University of Wisconsin. Stubborn physical labor led to the fact that after two years the young student could already walk without crutches, limping slightly, his body weight also increased, and all problems with the spine were resolved. By carefully studying the work of Luria and other psychotherapists, Erickson, based on his feelings, derived many principles in working with people through hypnosis and just counseling.
At the age of 50, Milton Erickson overtook the post-polio syndrome, after which he was able to restore his strength only partially. The remaining years he spent in a wheelchair, and died at 78 years old.
The principles of Milton Erickson and are now actively used in medicine and psychology, helping people find peace of mind. He was not only fond of hypnosis, but also believed in the power of the subconscious, which he gave the lion's share of recovery and changes in the person's personality.
The personality of Milton Erickson
The biography of this scientist only confirms the strength of his spirit. Not everyone can achieve results with only thinking and great desire. Erickson is an example of a strong person who boldly goes to his goal. He had a goal - to start walking, and he began. He wanted to restore all the motor functions of the body - he did it at a young age.
Also, many spoke of him as an optimistic person with an excellent sense of humor. He never allowed himself to lose heart, believed in the power of the subconscious and the driving forces of man, which can do the almost impossible. Erickson's quotes testify to the strength of his spirit. Here is some of them:
- "Nothing really ends while we are alive."
- "We learn very quickly in situations we don’t like."
- "And in every life, rain must be shed. And there will be days that are gloomy and sad."
- “Always set yourself a feasible goal in the near future” and so on.
The stories of Milton Erickson and his interaction with patients indicate his strong influence on them. He liked the indirect effect on people - during the conversation, without directly pointing out the problems, Milton changed the thinking and behavior of a person.
Erickson's attitude to pay for his work
Milton Erickson has never been greedy or covetous. He charged for his psychotherapy or hypnosis services, but he did not have a specific amount for everyone. The scientist was sure that in order to work on himself, a person should sacrifice something material, but he was in the position of each client. He took practically nothing from poor people and students. The therapist was one of the few people who worked for the idea. He never put his enrichment at the forefront, but devoted himself completely to science. Milton wanted to develop it as much as possible and study the forms of behavior of different people.
There are 5 principles of Milton Erickson in working with clients that helped him and his followers change the way people think.
Erickson's first principle of working with people
With people everything is OK. It says that every person can develop and change all his life. Each achieved level of development is a support for further personal growth. With the process of personality growth, various points of view and visions of the situation arise, with the help of which we can analyze everything that happens and learn lessons. Knowing that at every moment of life everything is OK with us, we see a little more than we saw before, that is, we go beyond the usual, former. Based on this, we have the opportunity to choose.
The second principle of a psychotherapist
Focusing on ... Consciousness limits our ability to analyze information. We perceive much more with our subconscious. With the help of certain techniques, Milton turned the conversation so that a person could better know and understand his feelings, make the right choice for him in this situation. After that, the client gains internal strength, self-confidence, ceases to need outsiders' advice.
The best person choice
At this stage of a person’s life, he always makes the best choice from what he can analyze. Erickson did not have the concept of "bad decisions", he was sure that for a client a certain solution is optimal in a particular situation. If you focus on "it should be," a person will constantly regret something. Erickson argued that it was important to understand the client, because he was an integral person.
Erickson's Fourth Principle
A positive intention in behavior . This principle states that every human action is based on good intentions. At a certain moment, we have specific needs that we satisfy with the help of certain forms of behavior. After a while, we may no longer understand why we made this or that decision or acted in one way or another. But if you believe that any action has a positive intention, Milton Erickson argued that we will go to a new level of understanding, entailing a change in personality.
Inevitability of change
In a constant change of thinking, the external behavior of a person also changes. By setting himself in a positive way, applying Erickson principles, a person becomes able to help himself in difficulties, and can also provide basic therapeutic assistance to others.
Psychotherapist Techniques
Milton Erickson's techniques in the practice of hypnosis are widely used in many countries of the world. Developing in others a positive attitude towards himself and the whole world, he improved his therapeutic techniques in working with clients. There are several well-known Erickson trance guidance techniques.
- Say “Yes” - in the course of the conversation, the therapist uses statements that the client constantly agrees with, euthanizes his vigilance, and he also answers “yes” to the statement with which he may not agree.
- A pattern break is behavior unusual in a particular situation. The interlocutor is confused, and the therapist gives instructions that the client accurately follows.
- Clotting. This technique is used by gypsies. The therapist pronounces a set of words, skipping from one topic to another. A person, trying to understand the meaning, is lost, his consciousness can’t cope with the flow of information, at this time the instruction for action goes directly to the subconscious.
- Overload - double guidance. Two people stand on different sides in relation to the client, gesticulate, touch and gossip him. All modalities are overloaded (auditory, kinesthetic and visual), consciousness is turned off.
- Triple helix. This technique was actively used by its author - Milton Erickson. Quotes, stories, messages are used in it, but the first two are not fully told, interrupted in the most interesting place. The third story with instructions for behavior is told to the end, then the second and first ends. A man enters into a light trance.