An Analysis of An Atheoretical System of Psychotherapy: Ericksonian Approaches to Psychotherapy
Williams, Joseph Adrian
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/68814
Description
Title
An Analysis of An Atheoretical System of Psychotherapy: Ericksonian Approaches to Psychotherapy
Author(s)
Williams, Joseph Adrian
Issue Date
1982
Department of Study
Education
Discipline
Education
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Education, Educational Psychology
Abstract
The study investigated the system of psychotherapy developed by Milton H. Erikson, M.D. The atheoretical nature of his approach was noted and discussed. A review of the literature about Erickson's work examined the approaches taken by other workers in explaining Erickson's methods. The failure of theoretical models to adequately portray his approach was noted, and an atheoretical system of examination which would present the key concepts of Erickson's work without regard for the elegance of a scientific theory was proposed for the dissertation. The concepts noted included the key themes of (1) speaking the patient's language; (2) observation; (3) patient rigidity; (4) utilization approaches; (5) hypnosis, and; (6) multiple-level communication. These key themes were derived from the author's personal training with Erickson, communications by letter and telephone with Erickson up until his death in 1980, an exhaustive examination of Erickson's published works, review of published audio and video records of Erickson's work, and interviews with relatives and close associates of Erickson. A number of case vignettes from Erickson's published works as well as Erickson's personal comments in his training of the author were used to illustrate the key concepts. A final chapter examined in extensive detail a clinical case report by the author of the dissertation, employing a "micro" level of analysis for the transcript of a therapy session, and a "macro" level of analysis for the case as a whole. The "macro" level of analysis made use of the key concepts previously outlined in the dissertation. Implications for further research were discussed in the final section of the dissertation.
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