Inspired healing rests on a foundation of skillful assessment. Tailoring the treatment to meet the needs of the client is the cornerstone of Ericksonian therapy. Equally important is the readiness of the therapist to be flexible and change the direction of therapy whenever indicated. Skillful assessment provides the knowledge that makes this type of therapy possible. When a clinician knows how to uncover information vital to understanding a client, then opportunities for healing are better recognized.
"Hypnotic induction is not really important." Erickson agreed with this statement when I last saw him in 1979. Yet, it is important to help your client to be most receptive to therapeutic approaches such as reframing and corrective regression. We will explore, demonstrate and practice principles underlying "trance induction." Attendees will devise their own inductions and will integrate these inductions with therapeutic interventions.
To achieve optimal health and functioning, we need our minds to be in a relaxed and focused state. This demonstration uses imagery, color, sound, light, metaphor and transfer of energy to achieve change in states of consciousness for mental and physical fitness.
Hypnotic conversation was a main contribution of Milton H. Erickson, M.D. Metaphor is a unique resource that allows patients to totalize visions of their problems and orient themselves to solutions. A theoretical review and fifteen question technique to elicit metaphors and utilize them in therapy, will be presented.
Cognitive-Behavioral therapies enjoy considerable empirical support as effective treatments for depression. Actively teaching cognitive and behavioral skills is essential to these therapies. Hypnosis has been shown to enhance client skill acquisition and to manage common depressive symptoms. In this workshop, we will explore ways hypnosis can assist in treating depression.
People slip in and out of trance every day. Couples evoke each other into positive trances (falling in love) and negative trances (reenacting family-of-origin, unresolved issues and identifications). In this workshop we will work with five hypnotic tools to help couples transform their relationship.
This workshop reveals the psychological secrets of success of elite athletes and performing artists and makes them available to therapists working with clients who wish to bust slumps or achieve excellence in any aspect of their lives - work, play or romance. Learn the psychological tactics of Lance Armstrong, Willie Mays, John McEnroe, Ali, EMINEM and Dumbo, and then learn how to put them to work for your client using hypnotic, solution-focused, strategic protocols.
Depression can be described in terms of interactive processes, both in the couple and in the family. In this perspective, the role played by the non-depressed family members in the development of depression becomes very relevant. Some useful principles for working with depressive individuals and families will be presented together with specific techniques and specific pitfalls that can be expected in the course of the therapeutic process.
Dr. Erickson had the creative ability to utilize what clients brought to therapy. In essence, he created a brand new therapy for each client he saw. He was a master at improvisation, yet his brilliance adhered to certain rules and structure. This workshop will provide opportunities for therapists to learn improvisational skills, to learn assessment, and to choose an intervention strategy to match the client's needs. The format will encourage audience participation in improvising.
Founded upon the principles of Ericksonian Play Therapy and indigenous teachings, this workshop will provide therapists with creative tools for working with difficult or traumatized clients through StoryPiay®, a multi-cultural, heart-centered, indirective model of therapy that bypasses the quills of pathology and draws upon the natural inner resources, skills and strengths of each child, adolescent, adult or family member to generate healing, growth and change.