Milton model

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Biography of Milton Erickson

Milton H. Erickson (1901–1980) was probably the most significant hypnotist of the 20th century. He used language in an artfully vague way, allowing clients to adopt the meaning that was most appropriate for them. He induced trance states, made them useful, empowered people to cope with their problems and discover their resources. His revolutionary views on change-effective communication marked a milestone in the development of modern psychotherapy. Many NLP presuppositions stem from his work. He developed brief therapeutic strategies that were later further developed at the Mental Research Institute in Palo Alto. Life fate and therapy style are inseparably linked in him.

In 1919, Milton Erickson graduated from high school and shortly thereafter fell ill with polio. He fell into a coma, and it initially seemed that he would not survive. After three days of complete unconsciousness, he awoke – paralyzed and without body awareness. Only with great effort could he speak and move his eyes slightly. The doctors said he would remain a nursing case. But Erickson began to train the remaining perceptions, paying attention to the subtlest nuances and developing an extraordinary sensitivity.

In his second year of study, he came into contact with hypnosis and immediately began to hypnotize subjects. Fascinated by the possibilities, he explored various techniques to move people to certain actions. Soon he reported his methods to doctors and professors. While Hull was interested in standardized procedures, Erickson focused on individualized, relationship-oriented approaches – with remarkable willpower and civil courage.

Through various research projects, he became the chief psychiatrist of the research department of the Worcester State Hospital in Massachusetts. Although hypnosis applications were banned at that time, Erickson conducted intensive internal studies. Later, he moved to other institutions and worked with thousands of patients.

After a serious accident in 1947, Erickson suffered from chronic joint and muscle pain as well as sudden collapses. He also developed a severe pollen allergy, which forced him to move to Phoenix, Arizona, where he opened a private practice.

In 1953, Erickson fell seriously ill again. After a lengthy search for a diagnosis, it turned out that he had contracted polio a second time – a medically almost unique case. The disease led to increasing paralysis and muscle wasting, with recurring episodes.

In 1957, he founded the "American Society of Clinical Hypnosis" and became its president. He also initiated the professional journal The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, which he published himself for ten years.

In 1969, at the age of 68, he ended his travel activities and had to stop working with patients a few years later. Thanks to the publications of Jay Haley, his approach became internationally known. In the 1970s, he taught numerous students – including Richard Bandler and John Grinder, who later developed NLP.

Towards the end of his life, Erickson was severely weakened and permanently reliant on a wheelchair. Despite severe pain, he practiced self-hypnosis to control his discomfort. Until his death on March 25, 1980, he published over 130 scientific papers and five books – an impressive body of work that earned him the nickname "Mr. Hypnosis."