Stories of Dr. Milton Erickson - Episode 10 - John's Dog

Dr. Jeff Zeig tells the story of a man whose healing became a close personal tie with the Erickson family.

[dr.davidgerstenaminoacidth]

I’m an integrative psychiatrist. During my residency another resident was a greater wealth of information than any professor. Over lunch one day he suggested I read Uncommon Therapy. That book would alter the course of my future. The first time I used a Strategic approach was with a woman with severe panic attacks. I was still a resident. I asked her what she did when she had a panic attack. She replied that she just grabbed the nearest chair and sat down. I asked if the chairs were comfortable. They were not. I asked her what her most comfortable chair was. It was a soft lazy boy. I said to her, “There’s no point having a panic attack in an uncomfortable chair, so from now on I would like you to have panic attacks in the lazy boy. “ She was cured. When I was in private practice, a woman brought in her very depressed 4/year old daughter. The girl’s depression reminded me of a depressed older adult. I hospitalized her in a child psychiatry unit. In the hospital she cried and howled all day long, so it was time for a new approach. I sat down with her nurse and said, “I would like your help with the girl. I want you to meet with her 30 minutes a day. Tell her that this 30 minutes is her time to cry, but she must cry for the full 30 minutes. If she stops crying after 14 minutes, tell her she needs to cry for 15 more minutes. Within 2 days the crying and depression completely vanished. The hospital school teacher approached me and said, “That is some amazing drug you gave her, a miracle.” I replied, “I have not ordered any medication.” She said, “That’s impossible!” I handed her the chart and said, “Read my orders and tell me if you see any medication ordered.” She was speechless, and just walked away. I realize that psychiatry residencies discontinued training in psychotherapy around 1990.I will always be grateful to Milton Erickson .

[ruthh]

I never cease to be enthralled at the creative brilliance of Dr how wonderful that Dr Zeig has dedicated his life to taking his legacy forward alongside his own highly skilled and insightful presence.

[aaronhillsworld]

That was an amazing story. For Erickson to apply these various techniques was ingenious.

[dgontijomachado]

Beautiful story, thanks for sharing it.

[luzienefranzao]

Thank you for share this history with us! I am an Ericksonian Hipnotherapist from Brasil.

[rubengreenberg]

This story is very complex. Some of the stories I have read about Dr. Erickson sound pretty far-fetched. When told by Dr. Zeig, they ring absolutely true

[lillumination]

I am sooo tired of these brokers who milk his innovations, discoveries to make money on. There are wonderful direct videos featuring the author. No need to broker him. No middlemen, let the viewers have a direct connection with Dr. E. energies.