Editing Milton H. Erickson (section)

== Controversy ==
A colleague, friend and fellow researcher, [[André Muller Weitzenhoffer|André Weitzenhoffer]], an author in the field of hypnosis himself, has criticized some ideas and influence of Erickson in various writings, such as his textbook ''The Practice of Hypnotism''. Weitzenhoffer displays a clear and explicitly stated, opposition to Ericksonian hypnosis in his book, in favor of what he terms the semi-traditional, scientific, approach.<ref name=":8" /> For Erickson, the shift from conscious to unconscious functioning is the essence of trance. Nowhere in his writing however, can one find an explicit definition of the term "unconscious" or, for that matter, of "conscious".<ref name=":4" />

This criticism persists among clinicians and researchers of today, not only about Erickson himself, but also about his followers. Nash and Barnier note that some clinicians, especially those working in the tradition of Milton Erickson may discount the importance of hypnotizability.<ref name=":9" />

In a book largely complementary to the works of Erickson,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rosen|first=S.|title=My Voice Will Go With You|publisher=Norton|year=1982|isbn=978-0393301359|location=New York|pages=209}}</ref> Rosen alludes to the uncertainty that can result from his clinical demonstrations: "This has nevertheless raised the question of whether or not the patient is playing a role by pretending not to feel pain…" Erickson's daughter Roxanna Erickson-Klein, also a trained psychotherapist, validated this uncertainty about the completeness of Erickson's case reports and demonstrations. She added that although he tirelessly advocated scientific investigations of hypnosis and was a prolific writer on techniques, he often left details out of case reports that could have been meaningful to clinicians of today. More importantly, critics often overlook the context of the times. He was a physician who worked from a framework of a country doctor, and clinicians of today are hasty to judge by today's standards, while not taking into consideration the context of the times.{{clarify|date=November 2021}}

Self-professed "skeptical hypnotist," Alex Tsander, cited concerns in his 2005 book ''Beyond Erickson: A Fresh Look at "The Emperor of Hypnosis"'', the title of which alludes to Charcot's characterization in the previous century as "The Napoleon of the Neuroses." Tsander re-evaluates a swathe of Erickson's accounts of his therapeutic approaches and lecture demonstrations in the context of scientific literature on hypnotism and his own experience in giving live demonstrations of hypnotic technique. Emphasizing social-psychological perspectives, Tsander introduces an "interpretive filter" with which he re-evaluates Erickson's own accounts of his demonstrations and introduces prosaic explanations for occurrences that both Erickson and other authors tend to portray as remarkable.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Tsander|first=A.|title=Beyond Erickson: a Fresh Look at the Emperor of Hypnosis|publisher=Summitother Publications|year=2005|isbn=978-0955073175}}</ref>

In an audiotape that is attributed to him'','' Dharma Teacher Tenshin, [[Reb Anderson]] of the Zen tradition, has referred to Erickson as a "Magician/Healer."<ref>Anderson, R. (12 July 2012). ''Facing Change and Realizing Peace'' [Audio Tape].</ref> Zeig concurs that professional skepticism and education is paramount for the advancement of a discipline. He states "Among psychotherapists there are some who worship Erickson with a reverence that borders on idolatry. Every word, sentiment, opinion, or act is presumed to have an inspired meaning. Such deification rooted in expectation of timeless power and omnipotence can ultimately lead to disillusionment. Equally prejudiced are those who regard Erickson as a maverick whose egregious methods are a passing fancy that will eventually be consigned to the dustbin of outmoded schemes. [Both] these attitudes do injustice to a highly creative and imaginative original mind... A poignant criticism of Erickson's strategic therapy is that it is overvalued by those who believe that clever tactics can substitute for disciplined training."<ref name=":5" />