The February Man - Evolving Consciousness and Identity in Hypnotherapy

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 youg woman. It is the only completely documented report of an entire hypnotherapeutic case from the middle of Erickson's career, when his innovative approaches were being developed. The text brilliantly illustrates the actual words and methods used by Erickson that have helped to transform the meaning and essence of the entire field of psychotherapy. Therapists of all persuasions will appreciate Erickson's own detailed commentaries on the whys, ways, and means of his naturalistic and permissive approaches to healing.

The February Man is a fascinating case study illustrating 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, one who "visits" the patient many times during profound states of age regression. During these sessions, Erickson evokes and utilizes many classic hypnotic phenomena (such as automatic writing, time distrotion, and amensia) to facilitate that "reassociation and resynthesis" of the inner life, which he regards as the essence of the 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 these complete, verbatim transcripts and commentaries of a life in transformation available for the first time - a Rosetta stone for understanding Erickson's new hypnosis. This intimate portrait ill be treasured by everyone who seeks to grow along with one of the most humane therapists of our time.