From Erickson to attribution: attaching meaning to hypnosis.

ABSTRACT

On the surface it seems that various Ericksonian theories of hypnotherapy differ considerably from each other; however, they can all be seen to be similar in three areas, namely, focus on the intrapsychic activities of the individual, focus on linear causality, and focus on objectivity of observation. These three foci are shown to embody certain conceptual and practical limitations. It is suggested that such limitations may be circumvented if Ericksonian techniques are applied from the perspective of attribution of meaning rather than from the point of view of reductionism, linearity, and objectivity.