Dynamics of Experiential Therapy

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Abstract
Modern experiential therapies have significant features in common with hypnotherapy. The essence of hypnotically oriented psychotherapy is described by Milton H. Erickson (1971) as “meet the patient at the patient's level, thereby gaining rapport. As trust is developed, modify the patient's productions by covert suggestions, thereby gaining control. This control is then utilized in order to get the patient to institute therapeutic growth from within.” He further emphasizes the necessity of an indirect approach, of subtle manipulations leading the patient to circumvent his resistances. The modern experiential therapies follow Erickson's maxim and display many features in common with hypnotic therapies. It is our observation that successful experiential work almost always leads to a hypnotic trance, in even very resistant subjects, and that this greatly augments its therapeutic effectiveness. It differs from Erickson's therapy in not requiring the indirect, roundabout approach. In essence, it is highly suited to the therapist who admires the ingenuity of Erickson but who is more suited, personality-wise, to a direct approach, of zeroing right in on a problem where the energy is. Instead of circumventing a patient's resistances, the therapist helps the patient fully experience them. The two styles, however, are seen as both similar and compatible with one another.

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