The February Man: Evolving Consciousness and Identity in Hypnotherapy [Hardcover]

Milton Erickson (Author), Ernest Lawrence Rossi (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0876305451 | ISBN-13: 978-0876305454 | Publication Date: March 1, 1989 | Edition: 1

This book is a fascinating case study that illustrates 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. A rare record of Erickson's pioneering genius in facilitating the evolution of new patterns of consciousness and identity in a patient.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It was with considerable excitement that I realized that...this volume has been recently reissued. The value of The February Man is that it consists of the transcript of an entire course of hypnotherapy, conducted by Erickson in 1945, long before he became known to the therapeutic community at large. This is a decided advantage for the reader, permitting careful examination of what Erickson actually said and did with this particular client. In structuring the repeating episodes of hypnotic age regression in the transcript of [this book], Erickson tells the client, 'You are going to see me...again and again.' With any luck, the same will be true for current and future generations of therapists through continued access to his writings." -Steven N. Gold in PsycCRITIQUES December 2009, Vol.54

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 266 pages
• Publisher: Brunner/Mazel; 1 edition (March 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876305451
• ISBN-13: 978-0876305454
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #762,334 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inside the February Man, September 6, 2010

By 

Bridget McKenna (Seattle WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The February Man: Evolving Consciousness and Identity in Hypnotherapy (Paperback)

These hypnosis sessions took place in 1945, when Erickson was still developing some of the approaches that made him the greatest hypnotist of his time. Erickson and Ernest L. Rossi went over the session transcriptions in detail many years later, and Erickson explained what he was doing and why, and how the patient got such extraordinary results from her sessions.

The sessions themselves are a virtual education in hypnotic approaches to time, as Erickson inserts his presence into "S"'s life and adds a parental voice and a trusted advisor to a childhood already lived. The book is like a nested series of conversations: Milton and "S" in 1945, Milton and Rossi in 1978, and Rossi and the reader as Rossi adds in metacomments on his earlier conversations with Erickson. Even the side comments by the rather clueless (IMO) Dr Fink added to my enjoyment of this extraordinary work. I consider this book a must for the library of anyone interested in hypnosis/nlp.

5.0 out of 5 stars The ONLY full transcript of him working from start to finish that I am aware of..., December 26, 2011

By 

Chris Cathey - See all my reviews

This review is from: The February Man: Evolving Consciousness and Identity in Hypnotherapy (Paperback)

This is the only full written transcript with commentary of Erickson working with someone from start to finish that I know of. I'm amazed at how few people have read this book. I love watching how he worked so long ago. At first it was hard for me to track what he was doing but when I got used to how he worked I could see the genius of what he was doing. Erickson was the master of metaphors and pattern interrupts. If you read closely you can use how he masterfully made use of these two tools to assist his client in making change.

The 'Decision Destroyer' by Richard Bandler was based on this work from what I have been told. There is so much to this work that if you were to spent just the time reading it and breaking down what Erickson did AND ultimately put it to use in your work then it would ONLY up your game.

Absolute must read for any serious student of Erickson!!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, a very good book, June 3, 2011

By 

Dr. David (Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The February Man: Evolving Consciousness and Identity in Hypnotherapy (Paperback)

There are 4 seminal books from Dr. Erickson himself. They were written with the collaboration of his student Dr. Ernest L. Rossi and they are a must for every student of Ericksonian hypnosis. Unfortunately only the last book, this book, The February Man was the only translated to the Spanish(by Amorrortu, an Argentinian publisher since 1992) and, sorry I really do not like this translation, I think this book must be read in english. So you must buy it now!. But wait,let me give you very good news, The Milton H. Erickson Foundation will publish soon the translation to Spanish (the Spanish of Mexico)of the first 3 books, i.e.: Realidades hipnóticas, Hipnoterapia y Experimentando la hipnosis, so you will be able to broaden your understanding of clinical hypnosis.I proudly contributed in the translation of those books. Recommended!. Luis David Guzmán-Moreno, M.D., Milton H. Erickson Institute of SLP, México.