In 1979, Milton Erickson and Jeffrey Zeig spent five hours reviewing a demonstration that Erickson conducted at a teaching seminar. That demonstration is now available as a training video for Ericksonian practitioners. Erickson’s experiential methods include the symbolic use of hypnotic phenomena, encouraging resistance, naturalistic confusion technique, seeding, and using isomorphic anecdotes. Jeffrey Zeig discusses the mechanics of Erickson’s unique approach to psychotherapy. Working with Resistance provides an opportunity to watch a master hypnotherapist demonstrate his technique.
This hypnotherapeutic session took place in 1978, and decades later, it’s just as powerful and engaging. Enhancing the viewer’s learning experience is Dr. Zeig’s discussion of the underlying elements of Erickson’s methods: the ARE model of instruction; the art of parallel communication; targeted utilization; and the use of implication. Erickson’s fluid repertoire, drawn from systematic thinking, includes the use of anecdotes, symbolic communication, and strategic seeding. The elicitation of solutions, based on promoting constructive associations and flexible thoughts and feelings, is an area of particular interest and one in which Erickson was especially elegant.
Aaron Beck (1995) selects a clinician to role-play a male client. The client, Mike, was abandoned by his wife after she had multiple affairs. Mike is a recovering alcoholic with a sexually transmitted disease who suffers from dating anxiety, childhood trauma, and feelings of inferiority. Beck demonstrates how to establish a collaborative relationship with the patient.
Albert Ellis (2000) demonstrates with two volunteers. The first volunteer is angry and intimidated by her supervisors. Humor and imagery are incorporated. The second volunteer feels a need to control others and is angry when she can’t. Ellis uses imagery to correct cognitive patterns and produce an emotional shift.
Ellis and Wolfe (1995) demonstrate with several volunteers. Beth, is troubled by her dominating mother. Ellis assigns a homework task. Next, Wolfe works with a volunteer who feels betrayed by her husband and brother. Ellis works with a second volunteer, Megan, who is ending a relationship with her boyfriend. Ellis uses imagery, confrontation and humor.
Alexander Lowen (2000) demonstrates with Ann, who he used as a ten years earlier. She reports that since that first session she has been free of severe asthma attacks. She is now troubled by the death of her father and mother, abuse from her brother, excessive weight gain and the onset of menopause. Lowen guides her through a series of movement exercises.
Alexander Lowen (1995) demonstrates with John who is dissatisfied with his body. Through exercises, Lowen helps John use his body to express his full range of feelings. Lowen explains that he does not rely on the mind to change behavior because of its lack of power. Lowen expects the body to free itself. The demonstration concludes with Lowen’s elaboration on his work.
Carl Rogers (1985) demonstrates with Ann, who describes herself as suffering guilt and sadness after having put off becoming a mother to pursue her career. After deciding to have children, she miscarried twins and has since been unable to become pregnant. Rogers helps her access her own potential to experience herself more positively.
Carl Whitaker (1990) demonstrates consultation and therapy with a therapist who has brought a bilingual family with a mother who experiences anxiety attacks. The maternal grandmother, mother, father, and two children are engaged by Whitaker as he sits on the floor and experiments with different types of play and fantasy.
Cloé Madanes (2009) Strategic Therapy with a Couple demonstrates with a young couple who is conflicted about holiday celebrations and vacations. The husband has wounds from his past that resonate with family holidays. He also wants to be more a part of his wife “inner circle” with her son from a previous marriage and vacations challenge him in this area. Madanes uses humor, insight and emotional connection to guide the couple to an accepting compromise.