MILTON H. ERICKSON, M.D. (1901-1980) was
generally
recognized as the world's foremost authori-ty on the induction and utilization of trance states,as well as being the master of brief therapy. Hepioneered "naturalistic" induction techniques, hyp-notic utilization, metaphorical and sub-consciouscommunication, and the use of behavioral tasks inorder to effect change. In his various capacities as apracticing psychologist and psychiatrist, professor and lecturer, founding president of the AmericanSociety of Clinical Hypnosis, founder and editor of
the
American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis,
and author of over one hundred books, articles andpapers, Milton Erickson demonstrated again andagain an uncanny recognition of, and respect for, thepatterns that make each person who they are.
"I had the privilege of readingDavid Gordon and MaribeihMeyers-Anderson's book,
PHOENIX,
in manuscript.I was well impressed with their understandings of Milton's ac-count of the processes of changein therapeutic intervention, andfound it a unique and mostinteresting analysis of Milton'smethods of psychotherapy."ELIZABETH ERICKSON