Solution-Oriented Hypnosis: An Ericksonian Approach

By William Hudson O'Hanlon, Michael Martin, Michael O'Hanlon, William Hudson;Martin, et al.

Book Overview

When most people think of "hypnosis" they imagine either a sinister, Mesmeresque figure declaring to his subject "you're getting sleepier and sleepier ... your eyelids are getting heavier and heavier, you vill go into trance," or an entertainer compelling a subject to "cluck like a chicken." In this comprehensive introduction to hypnosis based on the pioneering work of Milton H. Erickson, Bill O'Hanlon demystifies the concept of "trance" and "hypnosis." He goes to the heart of the subject by answering the question: "What is trance?" But be forewarned: This is no dry, formal discourse on trance induction techniques. Rather, readers are invited to share the experience of attending one of O'Hanlon's lively and popular two-day workshops on Ericksonian hypnosis. In an energetic and often humorous manner, O'Hanlon takes his audience through the basics of trance induction and explains the how, what, and why of hypnosis. Readers familiar with Erickson's work will be delighted at the author's Class of Problems/Class of Solutions approach, which deconstructs Ericksonian interventions and provides a powerful new tool in directing clients toward solution. Each individual element of trance induction is explained clearly, through the use of case examples, demonstrations, and audience participation exercises. The book's gradual approach takes readers through the hypnotic process in a step-by-step fashion, increasing their skills and confidence.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393701492
• ISBN13: 9780393701494
• Release Date: November 1992
• Publisher: Norton & Company, Incorporated, W. W.
• Length: 222 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Clear, direct, and to the point -- Erickson made easy.

I wish I had discovered this book sooner. Having read Rossi, Bandler, Grinder, Gilligan, etc., and struggled to get through their overyly analytical obfuscations of Erickson's methods, I was delighted with this simply written, clear, and easy to follow text. The reason I didn't buy it sooner was that I had read his other book "Taproots" and found it too abstract and disappointing. What a long way the author has come since he wrote Taproots! He presents Ericksonian ideas in a way that is delightful to read, down-to-earth, and effortless to follow. O'Hanlon is an excellent teacher, especially for those of us who are jargon-ically challenged. My only gripe is the high cost of this rather brief volume.

Fantastic Intro to Ericksonian hypnosis

This is an engaging and extremely readable introduction to Ericksonian Hypnotherapy. Profoundly less "technical manual" than the Grinder Bandler stuff, yet is certainly not dumbed down.Written with humor and undertanding in the informal style of a seminar in a manner that anyone could learn from.I would recommend this to anyone interested in Ericksonian Hypnosis.

Very useful: as intro textbook or handbook

Very good introduction to Ericksonian approach, useful for a beginner and helpful for an experienced practitioner.

A great intro to solution-oriented & ericksonian hypnosis

O'Hanlon's introduction to solution-oriented work and ericksonian hypnosis is top-rate, while managing to avoid excessively leaning on the purple coat-tails of Uncle Milty (Milton H. Erickson), or on anecdotes about how he was once hypnotized by Erickson himself and thus came to find the "true" path to therapeutic success.The experienced practitioner of hypnosis or solution-oriented therapy will find it an enjoyable read for an introductory review. Those experienced in one or the other modality will find something of value in learning about the overlap between the two disciplines, and the way they can amplify each other.For the curious reader interested in hypnosis, or the beginning student of either method, this is one of the best combinations of readable style and substance on the market