What Is Ericksonian Therapy

Ericksonian therapy (ET) is a treatment modality practiced internationally by medical and mental health providers who wish to utilize experiential techniques and practical problem-solving as an integral part of general therapeutic protocol. As a nonstandardized approach to psychotherapy, which places high value on creativity and differentiated treatment, ET has been notoriously difficult to operationalize in terms precise enough for rigorous outcome study. Building a foundation for ongoing research, this article provides an operational definition of ET using six core competencies that have been observed and measured. This conceptual frame is set within an historical context and delineated using principles discovered during a qualitative analysis of data from the field’s leading authorities as well as extensive scholarly research.