Milton H. Erickson, a Psychiatrist and Hypnotist:

Milton H. Erickson, a Psychiatrist and Hypnotist:
Milton H. Erickson (1901–1980) was an American psychiatrist and psychologist best known for revolutionizing the field of hypnosis. He is often called the father of modern hypnotherapy.

A few key points about him:

• Medical background — He trained as a psychiatrist and worked extensively with patients in both clinical and therapeutic settings.
• Innovative hypnosis techniques — Instead of using the authoritarian, “You are getting sleepy” approach, he used a permissive, indirect style. He often embedded suggestions within stories, metaphors, and casual conversation, making the process subtle and natural.
• Therapeutic philosophy — Erickson believed that people already have the inner resources they need for change, and the therapist’s job is to help them access those resources.
• Personal challenges — He overcame significant disabilities, including the aftereffects of childhood polio, which shaped his keen observational skills and deep empathy.
• Legacy — His work became the foundation for Ericksonian hypnosis, brief therapy, and influenced fields like NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming).

He had a knack for turning a simple conversation into a therapeutic intervention — sometimes his patients didn’t even realize they were being hypnotized until they noticed changes in behavior or feelings later.

Shervan K Shahhian