"Wow, if it's possible to condense the evolution of psychotherapy over this century and Milton H. Erickson's legacy with clarity, simplicity and compassion, Stephen Brooks and The Art of Compassionate Ericksonian Hypnotherapy surely sets the highest standard." Dr Ernest Rossi - author with Milton H. Erickson of the Collected Papers of Milton H. Erickson.
In Stephen Brooks and the Art of Compassionate Ericksonian Hypnotherapy renowned hypnosis expert Jos van Boxtel embarks on a ground-breaking investigation into the complexities of Ericksonian hypnotherapy in the 21st century. He brilliantly identifies the principles, skills and techniques, Brooks uses to achieve consistent life-changing results, identifying the many invisible psychological techniques, indirect language skills and subtle influencing strategies that puts Brooks' work on the cutting edge of psychotherapy practice today.
A seemingly casual or humorous conversation turns out to be a complex, indirect, and multilevel interaction, tailored to the client's problem, thinking style and oriented towards their eventual goal. Brooks' contact with a client seems easy and relaxed, almost like a friendly chat. Nevertheless, his words are emphatic, compelling, and challenging. He carefully observes postures, movements, and minimal expressions, always looking for messages from the unconscious mind. His own nonverbal communication is gentle yet powerful, playful yet serious.
The Ericksonian Hypnosis Series provides a unique way to learn this innovative approach to therapy and how to apply it to various problems. Each book details Brooks' work with a single client with a specific symptom, problem, goal, frame of reference and personality. The analysed transcripts show how Brooks tunes into the client's issues, needs and beliefs, utilising all this information to induce hypnotic trance and to create a therapeutic intervention.
The series also demonstrates how information gathering, rapport building, trance induction and therapy happen simultaneously and support each other. Each book in the series offers the reader a chance to study Brooks' work from a different perspective and in a different application.
"Stephen Brooks not only knows how to do effective Ericksonian Hypnosis, he knows how to show and teach others how to do it. This book will give you what you need to get started and to model a master at treating phobias." Bill O'Hanlon, author of An Uncommon Casebook - The Complete Clinical