The February Man: Evolving Consciousness And Identity In Hypnotherapy

by Milton H. Erickson, Ernest L. Rossi

From the front "This volume is a rare record of Milton H. Erickson's pioneering genius in facilitating the evolution of new patterns of consciousness and identity in a young woman. It is the only completely documented report of an entire hypnotherapeutic case from the middle phase of Erickson's career, when his innovative approaches were being developed. [It] brilliantly illustrates the actual words and methods used by Erickson that are currently transforming the meaning and essence of the entire field of psychotherapy. Therapists of all persuasions will appreciate the detailed commentaries offered by Erickson himself on the whys, ways, and means of his naturalistic and permissive approaches to healing. 'The February Man' is a fascinating case study which illustrates the use of multiple levels of consciousness and meaning to access and therapeutically reframe traumatic memories that were the source of very severe phobias and depression. Erickson's masterful use of minimal cues and indirect suggestion enable him to assume the supportive role of the 'February Man' who 'visits' the patient many times during profound states of age regression. During these sessions Erickson evokes and utilizes many classical hypnotic phenomena (such as automatic writing, time distortion, and amnesia) to facilitate that 'reassociation and resynthesis' of the inner life which he regards as the essence of cure. As the February Man, he provides the patient with the seeds for new developments in her adult personality and with a more complete view of herself and the world in transition. 'The February Man' makes available for the first time the complete, verbatim transcripts and commentaries of a life in transformation that is a Rosetta stone for understanding 'the new hypnosis'. This intimate portrait will be treasured by all who seek to grow along with one of the most humane therapists of our time."

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

266 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1989

About the author

Milton Hyland Erickson (5 December 1901 – 25 March 1980) was an American psychiatrist specializing in medical hypnosis and family therapy. He was founding president of the American Society for Clinical Hypnosis and a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Psychopathological Association. He is noted for his approach to the unconscious mind as creative and solution-generating. He is also noted for influencing brief therapy, strategic family therapy, family systems therapy, solution focused brief therapy, and neuro-linguistic programming.

Reviews

[Gebo · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book. Anyone interested in conversational or Ericksonian hypnosis should read this book. Though, to be fair, I ought to say that it's not necessary for you to read this book if you're interested in Ericksonian hypnosis. It's not as if you'd find your work enlightened by Erickson breaking down a case step-by-step. Nor would you want to find yourself picking up a variety of methodology that could progress your work. You wouldn't want that, would you?

Seriously, there are only two downfalls to this work: 1) Ernest L. Rossi is so baffled by Erickson's work that his commentary while sometimes enlightening is mostly humorous and eventually sad (how did this guy work with Erickson for so long??)--at one point Erickson tells him that he's "so naive"... and 2) this is a transcription of an experimental case testing psychodynamics, not Erickson free to do whatever he'd do; however, both are actually blessings in disguise because 1) Rossi's confusion helps you out b.c. Erickson has to over-explain his points and 2) E. does a ton of work to get the same effect and shows a variety of cool ways to use hypnosis.

[Jekaterina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and engaging on many levels. The book looks at an actual case of a hypnotherapist helping a patient overcome her phobia. You follow as he resolves the tensions between the conscious and the unconscious and as he reveals her own processes for overcoming issues without imposing his own solutions. At first I thought reading this book should best be left to professionals, but it drew me in evermore as I read it.

[Rosewater Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surely it's one of most useful books I've ever read in field of psychotherapy. Pity i've found only russian translation of it, not even a page of original is 'free'.
Pirates' are wasting their time on golden Gutenberg's shelves, huh?
It'd be truly wonderful experience to take a part in such a sessions: in presence of Mr. Erickson or one of his unbiased followers, in role of a client, journalist or some occasional dadaist.
Certain things (like waiting for the bath to fill) even found kind of 'analogy' in me ('inwardly', psychologically, case history) as a reader, and it's really a shame that we can't employ even basics of hypnotherapy during practical studies in University (of course it still could be applied beside notifying the instructor - even on the very instructors).
*a soft, a shy and a sinister laughter*

[Tg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure Genius...Up close and personal Therapy with a young lady suffering from guilt, hostility and anger. Tremendous Preface by Dr. Sidney Rosen....Reading the book slowly actually involves you in the Therapy....Age regression, depth, enlargement of scope and perspective. Compassionate and brilliant work of art.... Dr. Erickson imaginatively interjects the February Man into her regression as a Major Part of the Healing Process.... Dr. Rossi provides an extensive narrative of therapeutic work being done...In the child state we are most open to expanded horizons, a sense of wonder, and receptivity to alternate ways of looking at things, he also interjects different meanings of word which enables an enlargement of scope.. and different ways of looking at alternatives...Curiosity