Rubin Battino — Eriksonian Approaches TOC

ERIKSONIAN APPROACHES

A Comprehensive Manual

by Rubin Battino
M.S., Mental Health Counseling
Adjunct Professor
Department of Human Services (Counseling)
Wright State University

and
Thomas L. South, Ph.D.
Twin Valley Psychiatric System Dayton Campus

with chapters by
James Auld, B.D.S., Dip. Soc. Sc., MSc
Leon S. Segal, M.A.
Sandra Sylvester, Ph.D.

Foreword by Ernest L. Rossi, Ph.D.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Preface

Contributors

Chapter 1. History of Hypnosis: Thomas L. South

A. Introduction
B. Franz Anton Mesmer (1734–1815)
C. John Elliotson (1791–1868)
D. James Esdaille (1808–1859)
E. James Braid (1795–1860)
F. Milton H. Erickson (1901–1980)
Exercises

Chapter 2. Myths and Misconceptions: Thomas L. South

A. Introduction
B. Hypnotic Susceptibility
C. “Power” of the Hypnotist
D. Fear of Not Awakening
E. Antisocial Behavior
Exercises

Chapter 3. Traditional vs. Non-traditional Inductions: Thomas L. South

A. Traditional Inductions
B. Non-traditional Inductions
C. Rationale of Models
D. Hypnosis Defined
E. Common Everyday Trance
F. Indications of Trance
Exercises

Chapter 4. Rapport Building Skills: Rubin Battino

A. Introduction
B. Rogerian Approaches
C. Gathering Information
D. Representational Systems
E. Pacing and Leading
F. Eye Accessing Cues
G. Anchoring
H. The Utilization Approach

Chapter 5. Language Forms: Rubin Battino

A. Introduction to Language Forms
B. The NLP Meta Model
C. Introduction to Hypnotic Language Forms
D. Delivery
E. Word Usage
F. Negation et al.
G. Ambiguity
H. Binds
I. Stories
J. Torpedo Therapy (NLP)
K. Summary

Chapter 6. Hypnotherapy Without Trance: Rubin Battino

A. Introduction
B. The Theory of Change
C. Reframing
D. Paradoxical Interventions
E. Solution-Oriented Therapy and Hypnotherapy
F. Summary

Chapter 7. Basic Inductions: Thomas L. South

A. Introduction
B. Traditional Inductions
C. Non-Traditional Inductions

Chapter 8. Advanced Inductions: Thomas L. South

A. Introduction
B. Sensory Altering Inductions
C. Levitation Inductions
D. Cataleptic Inductions
E. Pantomime Techniques
F. Confusion Techniques
G. Utilizing Resistance Techniques
H. Spontaneous Inductions

Chapter 9. Utilization of Hypnotic Phenomena: Thomas L. South

A. Introduction
B. Age Regression
C. Age Progression or Pseudo-Orientation in Time
D. Time Distortion
E. Amnesia
F. Analgesia and Anesthesia
G. Dissociation
H. Hallucinations
I. Posthypnotic Behavior
J. Ideodynamic Responses
K. Hypnagogic and Hypnopompic States
L. Summary
Exercises

Chapter 10. Utilization of Ideodynamic Responses: Rubin Battino

A. Introduction
B. Ideomotor Responses
C. Other Ideodynamic Methods
D. Summarizing Ideodynamic Methods
Exercises

Chapter 11. Basic Metaphor: Rubin Battino

A. Introduction
B. Basic Metaphors
C. Some Sample Metaphors
D. Summary

Chapter 12. Advanced Metaphor: Rubin Battino

A. Introduction to Multiple Embedded Metaphor
B. Two Transcripts of Multiple Embedded Metaphors
C. Erickson and Joe the Florist
D. Commentary
Exercises

Chapter 13. The Arts as Hypnotherapeutic Metaphors: Rubin Battino

A. Introduction
B. Eight-Step Model for Clients with “Psychological” Problems
C. Eight-Step Model for Clients with Physical Health Problems
D. General Comments About the Eight-Step Process
Exercises

Chapter 14. Utilization of Hypnosis: Thomas L. South

A. Introduction
B. Common Habits
C. Medical Conditions
D. Pain Management
E. Surgery
F. Phantom Limb Pain
G. Respirator Phobia
H. Impotency
I. Ejaculatio Praecox
J. Menstrual Function
K. Summary
Exercises

Chapter 15. Ericksonian Approaches in Medicine: Sandra M. Sylvester

A. Introduction
B. The Use of Clinical Hypnosis in Medicine
C. Applying Hypnosis to Medical Problems
D. Conclusion

Chapter 16. Ericksonian Approaches in Dentistry: James Auld

A. Background
B. Anxiety Control and Stress Management
C. Pain Management
D. Muscle Control
E. Gagging
F. Bleeding
G. Amnesia
H. Sensory Modification
I. Salivation
J. Oral Habits
K. Summary
Exercises

Chapter 17. Hypnotherapy with Special Populations: Rubin Battino

A. Introduction
B. Family, Couples and Children
C. Other Populations
D. Summing Up
Exercises

Chapter 18. Ericksonian Techniques in Substance Abuse: Leon S. Segal

A. Introduction
B. Ericksonian Techniques as Applied to Drug Addiction

Chapter 19. Hypnotherapy with People Who Have Life-Threatening Diseases: Rubin Battino

A. Introduction
B. Self-Image
C. The Role of Guided Imagery
D. Unfinished Business
E. Bonding
F. Fusion
G. Secondary Gain
H. The Search for Meaning
I. Preparing People for Surgery
J. Conclusions
Exercises

Chapter 20. Ethical and Legal Considerations: Rubin Battino

A. Introduction
B. The Milton H. Erickson Foundation
C. Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH)
D. The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH)
E. The American Psychological Association
F. Hypnosis and the Law
G. Guidelines for the Ethical Practice of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy
H. The “Dark” Side of Hypnosis
Exercises

Chapter 21. Trance and Beyond: Rubin Battino and Thomas L. South

Chapter 22. Some “Beyonds”: Rubin Battino

A. Introduction
B. The Centrality of Reframing
C. Pause Power
D. Rossi’s Tutorials
E. Rossi’s “The Symptom Path to Enlightenment”
F. Expectation Power
G. Some Last Words

Foreword by Ernest L. Rossi, Ph.D.:

The developing maturity of a new school of professional psychotherapy is signaled by the appearance of “Comprehensive Manuals” that attempt to integrate the best inspirations of the pioneers with the growing body of fundamentals that are needed to teach another generation. This comprehensive manual by Thomas South, Rubin Battino, and their colleagues takes on this task with honesty and integrity. So broad has the scope of Milton H. Erickson’s psychotherapy become in recent years that it has become more and more difficult to discern Erickson’s original voice. So many of his highly creative and individualistic students have carried Erickson’s work in new, unpredictable directions that there is now a real danger of losing the original threads of his genius.

This state of affairs would surely bring an impish smile to Milton Erickson’s face. It is, after all, a true reflection of Erickson’s view of at least one aspect of his own mission: to help others to find their own genius by teaching them in terms of the natural ways and metaphors of their own minds. This is one of the secret strengths of Erickson’s original contributions that this comprehensive manual seeks to impart to the students and professionals. In one way or another it will be found to be a harmonic theme that connects the systematic presentation of the broad areas of Erickson’s work with case studies, transcripts of inductions for different types of clients, and practical training exercises that can facilitate the student’s learning step by step.

But is all this really necessary, one might ask. Wasn’t Milton Erickson an intuitive genius who could use his “creative unconscious” to simply free-associate incantations and hypnotic spells that would be just what the patient needed? You know, deep unconscious communication from the mind of one person to the other. Sort of healing without cognition. The symptoms somehow go away and nobody knows the reason why, not even the therapist. In spite of such folklore that has been spun about Erickson’s work, this oversimplified appeal to the intuitive is certainly not correct. In his early years Erickson worked very systematically to develop his understanding of the nature of hypnosis — what he called the “psycho-neuro-physiological” foundations of healing. How can mere words, stories, meanings, and ideas facilitate healing?

Erickson described to me the lengthy process he went through in training himself with his first patients. He would first have a rather long initial interview with the prospective patient wherein he insisted on gathering all the information he felt he needed for a comprehensive case history. At the end of this initial interview he would tell the patient something like the following: “Well, I am going to have to study all your material very carefully for a while so I can develop some understanding on how to help you the best. So, why don’t you give me a few weeks and when I am ready I will give you a call to arrange your next appointment time.” Good grief, I thought at the time, how did Milton manage to earn a living with such a seemingly casual attitude?

But his attitude was anything but casual! Milton then described to me how he would actually study the patient’s material very carefully for days and sometimes weeks. He would then write out longhand with pencil on paper about 40 pages of “suggestions” that would cover all aspects of the patient’s problems. He said he would then “boil those 40 pages down to 20 and study them some more.” He would sleep on those 20 pages for a few days and then “boil them down to ten!” Erickson would stare at me with a laser-like intensity as he told me all this to make sure he had my full attention. Here was a man who did not suffer fools gladly.

“And then,” he would slowly and softly intone when he was sure he had my full, wide-eyed attention, “I would boil those ten pages down to five and have my secretary carefully type them up.” Erickson would then call up the patient and say, “Well, I have something for you,” and he would arrange for the second appointment. When the patient arrived, the five-page manuscript would be in full sight on Erickson’s desk. Sometimes with studied casualness Erickson would nod his head toward the manuscript and ask if the patient would mind if Erickson simply read it to him word for word. After all, Erickson had spent a lot of time on it and he wanted to get it just right.

Of course, the patient agreed. Of course, the patient soon went into a “therapeutic trance” as she or he listened with deep expectation to Erickson reading the most meaningfully constructed sentences, paragraphs, and pages that utilized the patient’s own unique language, attitudes, and world view. Of course, the patient was deeply impressed with the importance of what was being received. Of course, the patient was touched and often overwhelmed with the poignancy of the situation. Perhaps for the first time, someone of significance was giving such full and profound attention to the patient’s personal problems. In this situation, of course, most patients would feel heartened and find unexpected sources of strength within themselves so that they would experience a new beginning and profoundly new possibilities for their lives. Of course, you, the reader of this carefully written volume, will likewise be impressed with the need to study it deeply so you can carry on the work in the only way Milton Erickson would want: your own way!

Comments by Jeffrey K. Zeig, Ph.D.,
Director, The Milton H. Erickson Foundation:

Students, delight! Fundamentals of the Ericksonian approach have never been so easy to learn. Tom South and Rubin Battino offer an eminently comprehensible and comprehensive training manual abounding with illustrations and exercises.

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