Milton H. Erickson Institute

Milton H. Erickson Institute of Portland Hypnotherapy Training

The Milton H. Erickson Institute of Portland is sanctioned and licensed by The Milton H. Erickson Foundation, Inc. in accordance with Foundation guidelines.

“Each person is an individual. Hence, psychotherapy should be formulated to meet the uniqueness of the individual's needs, rather than tailoring the person to fit the Procrustean bed of a hypothetical theory of human behavior.” Milton H. Ericsson, 1979

Ericksonian Approaches to Psychotherapy & Hypnosis

Milton H. Erickson, M.D. (1901-1980) was a pioneer in the fields of hypnosis and psychotherapy. His contributions have had tremendous influence on modern treatment modalities in the mental health field. Erickson's inquisitive nature, determination and remarkable observational and intuitive skills caused him to explore innovative treatment options finely crafted for the patients he worked with. It was said that Erickson developed a new psychotherapy for each person he treated, as he very much considered the unique qualities and perspective of each individual.

The principle of utilization is one of Erickson's key contributions. This principle recognizes both the uniqueness of each individual and the unique features of whatever it is they are struggling with. Erickson economized therapeutic work by considering what a person brings to treatment as the raw material with which to construct a solution. A person's mannerisms, language style, behaviors, stories, postures, physical peculiarities and even the presenting problem provide material with which to construct a therapeutic intervention.What a person brings to treatment and even circumstances in the treatment session can be utilized effectively for a resolution of the presenting problem.

Ericksonian Therapist

An Ericksonian therapist assumes that most of the time the resources needed for successful treatment are within the client. Sometimes resources have never been recognized or properly employed. Sometimes resources need to be shuffled about and rearranged or liberated from whatever is restricting them. Sometimes a potential needs to be fed so it can blossom.

This approach to hypnosis and psychotherapy acknowledges the dynamics of interpersonal and intrapersonal relationship active during treatment. The therapist respectfully interacts with a client's conscious and unconscious mind. The client's conscious and unconscious minds interact with each other. Relational dynamics are quite complex and communication is always taking place at some level.
Therapist Session — psychotherapy in Portland, OR
An Ericksonian therapist assumes that most of the time the resources needed for successful treatment are within the client. Sometimes resources have never been recognized or properly employed. Sometimes resources need to be shuffled about and rearranged or liberated from whatever is restricting them. Sometimes a potential needs to be fed so it can blossom.

This approach to hypnosis and psychotherapy acknowledges the dynamics of interpersonal and intrapersonal relationship active during treatment. The therapist respectfully interacts with a client's conscious and unconscious mind. The client's conscious and unconscious minds interact with each other. Relational dynamics are quite complex and communication is always taking place at some level.
The therapeutic work may take place in a very straight forward fashion or it may be indirect. Indirect approaches may involve metaphor, story telling, paradoxical homework assignments, use of ambiguous language and more.

The Ericksonian therapist's goal directed expectancy of change helps uncover health and an awareness of choice.
Therapist Session — psychotherapy in Portland, OR
The therapeutic work may take place in a very straight forward fashion or it may be indirect. Indirect approaches may involve metaphor, story telling, paradoxical homework assignments, use of ambiguous language and more.

The Ericksonian therapist's goal directed expectancy of change helps uncover health and an awareness of choice.
For more information about Milton H. Erickson, consult The Milton H. Erickson Foundation web site at: http://www. erickson-foundation.org

Hypnotherapy Training

  • The Milton H. Erickson Institute of Portland offers education, training and supervision to further the knowledge and understanding of the use of clinical hypnosis and psychotherapy. Emphasis is placed on the principles of Ericksonian psychotherapy and hypnosis.
  • Begining through advanced levels of training in the principles and ethical application of hypnotherapy are offered to helping professionals with a masters degree or above and eligible graduate students.
  • Individual or group supervision is available following a training experience.
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