Title: The Complete Works: Version 1.0 CD-ROM
AUTHOR: Milton H. Erickson MD
PUBLISHER: Crown House Publishing Limited
ISBN: 0971619034
CD-ROM: £67.50

Reviewed by Peter Mabbutt FBSCH

This CD-ROM contains the complete collection of Erickson’s published articles. Despite the fact that there have been previous collections of Erickson’s published work this one is unique as it not only remains congruent with the age of information technology, but also contains previously unreleased material from the Erickson Foundation Archives. There is a wealth of valuable information to be found on this disc that includes clinical applications of hypnosis, theoretical principals, research and Erickson’s own case studies.

Even the most computer-illiterate will find the CD-ROM easy to navigate. Simply putting the disk into the disk drive will start the programme, providing the reader with a user friendly screen that is divided into two frames each giving different options. In one there can be found a series of links providing access to pages containing biographical information, further resources and search options; whilst the other has links that take the reader to the extensive catalogue of Erickson's writings.

The main bulk of the CD-ROM contains approximately 170 articles that span Erickson’s entire publishing career from the early 1920’s through to his last published article in 1977. It is interesting (yet not surprising) to see that his early work was not entirely related to hypnosis and hypnotherapy. Included are papers as diverse as: ‘A Study on the Relationship Between Intelligence and Crime’; ‘Evolutionary Factors in a Psychosis’; and “Cooperative Research in Schizophrenia’. However, by far the majority of papers do focus entirely on the subject of hypnosis. These make fascinating reading and chart the development of Erickson’s theoretical and research-based approach to what we now call Ericksonian hypnosis.

His experimental work is impressive and includes titles such as ‘A Study of Experimental Neurosis Induced in a Case of Ejaculatio Praecox”, various articles on the hypnotic alteration of colour vision, experimental demonstrations of hypnotically induced psychopathology, along with his early work on automatic writing.

The are many case studies too. These range from the treatment of ‘Migraine Headache in a Resistant Patient’ through to the use of hypnosis in the treatment of cerebrovascular accident (stroke). The case studies are of particular interest as they provide the reader with a true insight into the development of Erickson’s particular and innovative approach to therapy.

From the conventional to the unconventional they are littered with gems such as Erickson’s use of provocation, symptom utilisation and confusion. The interspersal technique is illustrated with the now famous case history of Joe the Florist in a paper entitled ‘The Interspersal Hypnotic Technique for Symptom Correction and Pain Control’, whilst ‘Psychological Shocks and Creative Moments in Psychotherapy’ introduces the concept of using psychological shock to aid the therapeutic process.

Erickson’s theoretical papers and reviews also make fascinating reading. He discusses subject matters that vary from general views of hypnosis through to time distortion, utilisation approaches, indirection, binds and double binds to name but a few.

This CD-ROM contains a vast amount of literature. Fortunately each paper comes in PDF format and are easy to print, so their reading need not require spending many hours in front of a computer monitor.

To lighten its visual modality the CD-ROM also contains a 17 minute sound recording (including a transcript) that Erickson made in 1962. For those who haven’t heard him speak before, this provides the opportunity to appreciate the hypnotic quality of Erickson’s voice as well as listening to him as he presents his views on the essentials required for the successful induction of trance; the qualities required by a therapist; and the importance of communication, understanding and conviction on behalf of both the therapist and the patient.

On a disk that is praiseworthy not only for its breadth of subject matter but also its ease of navigation, my only criticism is that it would have been nice to see the full use of CD-ROM technology taken advantage of by including one or two video clips showing Erickson at work. Perhaps this is something that will be rectified in Version 2.0. However, this in no way detracts from what is an impressive and extremely useful compilation. ‘Milton H. Erickson, MD.: Complete Works, Version 1.0’ is a stunning collection that will easily appeal to anyone no matter what their level of interest in hypnosis and Ericksonian hypnotherapy.

System requirements: Windows 98 or higher; Internet Explorer 4.0.1 or higher; 32 MB RAM; 120MB hard disk space; CD-ROM drive.

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