Milton Erickson – Father of Hypnotherapy

By Vikki Brock

June 6th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under

Milton Erickson (1901-1980) was an American psychiatrist specializing in hypnosis and communication work. He spoke philosophically about the nature of being human from principles similar to Alfred Adler. Known as the father of hypnotherapy, his work was about asking rather than telling, which provided an opportunity for coaching to develop.

According to Marilyn Atkinson, founder of Erickson College (www.erickson.edu), Milton showed how people were part of a system and when the system changed, the people also changed. His work was the precursor to Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), human and family systems theory, and solution-focused therapy. Milton made extensive use of metaphor and story, coined the term “brief therapy,” and developed Ericksonian hypnosis which communicated ideas to the patient at an unconscious level.

How else did Milton Erickson influence coaching?

Vikki G. Brock, MBA, MCC
Leadership & Mentor Coach
Director, History & Archives Division

About the Author

Dr. Vikki Brock, MCC, is Team Lead for the one-of-a-kind Virtual Museum of Coaching here at The Coaching Commons. Based on interviews about the evolution of coaching with over 175 coaching 'influencers' she also contributes mightily to our Coaching Hall of Fame. Though some may consider 'The History of Coaching' a dry topic, Vikki believes 'the roots determine the fruits' and promises the museum won't be a stuffy place. Vikki is also the only executive and leadership coach we know who supports clients from a 50 foot sailboat named Cuidado, moored in Ventura, California next to the Channel Islands National Park.

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There Are 3 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by Vikki Brock on 3 June 2009:

    Thanks to both of you – Ramon for the clarification and your resources; Eric for the work ‘utilizing’.

    This is what I enjoy about our community – I am always learning and growing. Thanks for sharing and enriching this discussion,

    Vikki Brock

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  3. Comment by Eric on 2 June 2009:

    Perhaps neither asking nor telling – but utilizing would be a more specific word. Milton utilized the clients own, often dormant, resources and offered open-ended directives that allowed the client’s fundamental impulse for life to express itself.

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  5. Comment by Ramon Ruiz on 13 June 2008:

    Vikki,

    I’m reading your post about Milton Erickson.

    In it you wrote:

    “…his work was about asking rather than telling…”

    I don’t agree.

    Erickson is famous for the way he talked to his patients. For his talking and his stories.
    Questions produce awareness, tales produce dreams.
    His metaphors are famous and his way to hypnotize his patients was talking, never asking questions.

    Fritz Perls was famous asking questions. In fact, his questions became the famous meta model which was the main theme in the first book by Grinder and Bandler.

    I suggest the following for you to read:

    “Complete Works – Milton Erickson.”
    “Tranceformations”, “The Hypnotic Patterns of Milton Erickson I & II”, “The Structure of Magic” by Richard Bandler and John Grinder.

    Ramon Ruiz
    Sales Expert Trainer and Consultant
    Certified NLP Trainer by Richard Bandler

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