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Taught By Erickson expert, and Solution-Oriented founder, Bill O'Hanlon
*50 Continuing Education (CE) Clock Hours for Behavioral Health Professionals (Home-Study Format)
Though therapeutic hypnosis has had many great practitioners make significant contributions in both research and application, few have left as much of a defining mark on hypnotic form and practice as the psychiatrist, Dr. Milton Erickson. Weaving non-directive approaches, rich in metaphor and complexity, Erickson was able to help people experience radical and positive change.
In the years after his death, Dr. Erickson's student (and sometime gardener), Bill O'Hanlon, worked to translate the sometimes mystical work of Erickson into a form that others could learn and apply in their own clinical practice. O'Hanlon made it his mission to help others learn the transformational methods of Ericksonian Hypnosis, and he has trained thousands of people throughout the world in Dr. Erickson's clinical approach.
In this online certificate course, O'Hanlon takes the lessons that he learned studying under Erickson, along with with his own decades of experience as a psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, and clinical trainer, and has curated the best of it all in these engaging lessons and hypnosis demonstrations into this course, which O'Hanlon considers his "Magnum Opus" of hypnosis. His methodical translation of Erickson's approach to trancework, which Bill calls Solution-Oriented Hypnosis.
Bill has retired from live trainings, but it is still so important to him to make sure he can still empower people, and he believes that this course has let him distill his most stand-out lectures and hypnotic demonstrations to create, what he confidently believes is, his most complete hypnosis training ever!
Do not miss this opportunity to learn from one of the masters of Milton Erickson's approach to hypnosis, and get your own qualification in Solution-Oriented Hypnosis!
Certification in Hypnosis is now available for students who complete this course (see below for more information)
Course Learning Objectives
-Identify the key components of O'Hanlon's translation of the structure of the late Dr. Erickson’s approach to hypnosis, with a focus on the differences between Traditional vs. Ericksonian/Solution-Oriented hypnosis
-Describe the Ericksonian/Solution-Oriented approach to trance induction; including core elements of permission, inclusion, orientation, alternatives, splitting, linking, and more
-List the different components of trance phenomena
-Utilize O'Hanlon's “4 Doorways” approach to hypnotic trance state
-Analyze several concepts and techniques integral to the Ericksonian approach to clinical hypnosis.
-Evaluate multiple demonstrations of Ericksonian hypnosis application across diverse issues and populations.
-Assess the extended application of Ericksonian hypnosis through recorded coaching calls with students of the approach.
-Compare areas of current research on the efficacy of hypnosis in a variety of treatment contexts
And know you can buy this course without any risk. We have a full refund policy for anyone who decides they do not want to keep the course within 14-Days of purchase.
This training contains 50 clock hours of behavioral health continuing education* under the approval bodies listed below.
Program Format: Home-Study/Asynchronous Course
Date & Time: Home-Study/Asynchronous Course- New student enrollment open during limited periods (Lifetime Access with Enrollment)
Instructional Level: This course is intended for psychologists, counselors/psychotherapists, and other helping professionals. The instructional level of the course is Advanced, though students electing to learn at an introductory and/or intermediate level will benefit and are welcomed to participate in the course.
Number of CE clock hours: 50 CE credit hours*
Financial Support Statement: PsychMaven charges enrollment fees for this course and pays course presenters for their teaching. There is no other financial support for this course.
Conflict of Interest Statement: There are no known conflicts of interest or outside commercial support for this course.
*Continuing Education Approvals
PsychMaven is responsible for all aspects for this program.
*PsychMaven has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP)- ACEP No.6624. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. PsychMaven is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. PsychMaven is approved for both Live/Real Time and Home Study continuing education (CE) programs. This program is designed to meet the standards of NBCC content areas No.1 (Counseling Theory/Practice and the Counseling Relationship). This program has approval for 50 Clock Hours of continuing education (CE). This program is fully presented in a Home-Study Format.
*PsychMaven is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. PsychMaven maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Because of continuing education (CE) standards for continuing education under the American Psychological Association (APA), learners wanting to receive APA hour credit for the course most complete and pass a separate post-test at the end of this course. There will be intructions at the end of the course on how request the post-test with APA approval.
*PsychMaven is an Approved Provider for continuing education under The Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists (#50-35008- Exp. 03/31/2025)
This course, Ericksonian & Solution-Oriented Hypnosis, is approved specially for 50 hours of approved continuing education (CE) for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists, under this board (Tracking Number:# 20-1227042)
This approval will allow for continuing education for Professional Counselors, MFTs, and Pastoral Counselors who are certified and/or licensed in that state, and in other states/jurisdictions that accept the Continuing Education (CE) approval of other state counseling boards, MFT boards, or pastoral counseling boards/certifiers. Please contact your state licensing board and/or other certifying organizations if you have questions about the acceptability of CE hours.
PsychMaven's program on Ericksonian and Solution-Oriented Hypnosis has been approved by the National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists (NBCCH) as meeting their certification standards to become a certified hypnotherapist/hypnotist under NBCCH for those with membership in good standing with the organization. To apply for membership and/or certification under NBCCH, please see their website at www.nbcch.com
*Note for Florida licensed clinicians (LMHCs, LMFTs, and LCSWs). PsychMaven's approval with NBCC is approved automatically for continuing education (CE) credit by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, pursuant to the rule 64B4-6.002(1)(e)1. This course also provides the required 50 continuing education (CE) hours to meet the Qualifications Necessary for Clinical Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors to Practice Hypnosis in the state of Florida, pursuant to the rule 64B4-7.002. However, this course with PsychMaven is not currently registered with the systems of CE broker. Therefore, CE hours need to be self-reported by following the instructions found at the bottom of each CE certificate.
Course Instructor
Bill O'Hanlon, MS
William "Bill" O'Hanlon is a world renowned leader in the fields of brief psychotherapy and clinical hypnosis. Bill is the author of 40+ books and has delivered over 3,700 talks around the world, During graduate school, Bill studied with the eccentric and creative psychiatrist and hypnosis innovator, Milton H. Erickson (he was Dr. Erickson's only work/study student). As Bill became a prominent teacher of Dr. Erickson's unique way of doing hypnosis, he progressively became a major translator of Dr. Erickson's approaches to clinical hypnosis and change work, putting theory and teachable structure to what Bill had learned from Erickson. This model of Ericksonian Hypnosis is called Solution-Oriented Hypnosis, which focuses on core tenets of Ericksonian practice which emphasize a client's resources, strengths, and solution-finding capacities by employing trance work that focuses on permission, evocation, and utilization. More on Bill can be found at www.billohanlon.org
Course Inspiration- Milton H. Erickson, MD
Milton Hyland Erickson (1901-1980) was an American psychiatrist and a pioneer in the field of therapeutic hypnosis. Widely regarded as the modern-day father of Therapeutic Hypnosis, Erickson revolutionized the practice and understanding of hypnotherapy. His approach to hypnosis departed from traditional methods, emphasizing the interactive therapeutic relationship and the engagement of the subject's inner resources.
Afflicted by polio at the age of 17, Erickson was left severely paralyzed and unable to walk. During his recovery, he delved into the power of non-verbal communication and body memories, which became instrumental in his own healing process.
Over his 50-year career, Erickson conducted extensive research, published numerous articles, and co-authored five books on hypnosis. His work emphasized the utilization of the unconscious mind as a creative and solution-generating force. He founded the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, serving as its inaugural president, and established the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis. Erickson's therapeutic strategies, derived from his hypnotic orientation, influenced various psychotherapeutic approaches, including brief therapy, family systems therapy, and neuro-linguistic programming.
Later in his life, Erickson would invest himself as a collaborator and mentor for others in the field who would go on to preserve and deepen the impact of his innovative approach to trance work; these included Ernest Rossi, Stephen Gilligan, Jeffrey Zeig, and Bill O'Hanlon
Bill on Meeting Dr. Erickson
Bill shares about the transformational experience of first meeting Milton Erickson and learning about his unique approach to change work.
Course Curriculum & Lessons
Course Curriculum
- Accessing Course (After Purchase)
- Certification with the "National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists"(NBCCH)
- About course material & structure
- Introduction to Module 1 (1:29)
- Get the "Teachable App" for course access on iPhone/iPad
- References to "Coaching Calls," "Comment Board," & "Homework" (Retired Sections)
- Let us know about broken links/videos
- Copyright on external material
- Books for More In-Depth Learning (2:19)
- 1.1 Intro to Solution-Oriented Hypnosis 1: Permissive vs. Directive (13:14)
- Trance for getting the most out of this course
- 1.2: Evocation vs. Suggestion (5:55)
- 1.3: Aims of Ericksonian vs. Traditional Hypnosis (6:09)
- Meetings With a Remarkable Man
- Trance indicators (PDF)
- Ericksonian Bibliography (PDF)
- 1.4: The Making of a Master: Milton Erickson (35:22)
- 2.1: Permission and Inclusion (9:42)
- 2.1.1: Skill Building 1 Permission and Inclusion (4:57)
- 2.1.2: Example of Giving Permission in Trance Induction 1 (audio)
- 2.1.3: Example of Giving Permission in Trance Induction 2 (audio)
- 2.1.4: Example of Giving Permission in Trance Induction 3
- 2.2: Induction: Orient to Previous Trance Experiences (5:10)
- 2.2.1: Evocation of Previous Trance-Like Experiences Demo (5:28)
- 2.2.2: Skill Building with Evoking Previous Experiences (2:34)
- 2.3 Ericksonian Hypnosis Induction Elements 3 Presupposition (15:33)
- 2.3.1 Presupposition demo (4:43)
- 2.3.2 Skill Building 3 Presupposition (2:35)
- 2.3.3 The Illusion of Alternatives (2:42)
- 2.3.4 Erickson Using Presupposition in an Induction (0:13)
- 2.4 Ericksonian Hypnosis Induction Elements 4 Splitting (5:48)
- 2.4.1 Splitting demo (3:29)
- 2.4.2 Skill Building for Splitting (2:29)
- 2.5 Ericksonian Hypnosis Induction Elements 5 Linking (7:01)
- Post-Test: Introduction and Elements of Trance Induction (Part 1)
- 2.5.1 Linking demo (3:30)
- 2.5.2 Skill Building 5 Linking (1:31)
- 2.6 Ericksonian Hypnosis Induction Elements 6 Interspersal (9:03)
- 2.6.1 Interspersal demo (2:04)
- 2.6.2 Skill Building 6 Interspersal (2:29)
- 2.7 Ericksonian Hypnosis Induction Elements 7 Description (6:59)
- 2.7.1 Description demo (1:48)
- 2.8 Ericksonian Hypnosis Induction Elements 8 Truisms (3:11)
- 2.8.1 Truisms demo (2:03)
- 2.9 Practice Trance Exercise 1 Permission and Inclusion (9:07)
- 2.10 Practice Trance Exercise 2 Evocation of Previous Trance Experiences (5:01)
- 2.11 Practice Trance Exercise 3 Presupposition (2:52)
- 2.12 Practice Trance Exercise 4 Splitting (2:04)
- 2.13 Practice Trance Exercise 5 Linking (1:32)
- 2.14 Practice Trance Exercise 6 Interspersal (2:18)
- Four Doorways Into Altered States (10:26)
- 2.15 Ericksonian Hypnosis Induction Elements 9 Rhythm (4:07)
- 2.16 Ericksonian Hypnosis Induction Elements 10 Matching (5:15)
- Trance-Scripts: Induction Prompts and Wording
- Complete Induction Example: Translated trance (23:23)
- 2.17 The Confusion Technique (4:24)
- Wordsmithing in Ericksonian/Solution-Oriented Hypnosis
- The Quick Guide to Ericksonian/Solution-Oriented Hypnosis
- Checklist for Ericksonian Hypnosis Inductions
- There's No Such Thing As a Weed: Erickson's Utilization Approach (76:22)
- What if They Don't Come Out of Trance? (4:25)
- Session: Hypnosis with cancer and pain (55:37)
- Post-Test: Trance Induction Continued (Parts 2 and 3)
- Welcome to Module 3 (0:42)
- 3.1 Trance Phenomena (16:44)
- 3.2 Evoking Automatic Changes in Trance (9:17)
- 3.3 Evoking Hand and Arm Levitation (5:48)
- 3.3.1 Milton Erickson hand and arm levitation example (1975) (7:32)
- 3.3.2 Milton Erickson Example of Hand and Arm Levitation (1957) (9:14)
- 3.3.3 Practice Hand and Arm Levitation (5:22)
- 3.3.4 O'Hanlon Hand and Arm Levitation example (15:55)
- Post-Test: Trance Phenomena
- 4.0 Welcome to Module 4: Hypnotherapy (1:13)
- 4.1 The Unconscious and Trance (15:25)
- 4.2 When To and When Not To Use Trance (4:04)
- 4.2.1 Skill Building When To and When Not To Use Trance (2:23)
- 4.3 The Class of Problems Class of Solutions Model Part 1 (32:06)
- 4.3.1 The Class of Problems Class of Solutions Model Part 2 (14:01)
- 4.3.2 Skill Building Using the Class of Problems Class of Solutions Model (2:32)
- 4.3.3 Treating Warts Application of Class of Problems Class of Solutions (8:16)
- 4.4 Storytelling in Ericksonian/Solution-Oriented Hypnosis (19:28)
- 4.4.1 The African Violet Queen (8:36)
- 4.4.2 The Brick Wall (4:26)
- Complete Hypnosis Session with Mo in London, England (56:11)
- 4.5 Symptomatic Trance and Healing Trance video (10:33)
- 4.5.1 The 3-D Model of Trauma
- 4.6 Inclusive Therapy (16:13)
- The Inclusive Self
- 4.6.1 Demonstration of Inclusion in Trance (24:30)
- 4.6.2 Demonstration of Inclusive Therapy (54:39)
- Contradiction: An original inclusive song co-written by Bill
- 4.6.3 Practice Inclusive Therapy (3:58)
- 4.7 Self-Hypnosis (16:53)
- 4.8 The Process of Solution-Oriented Hypnosis (10:04)
- Doing Solution-Oriented Hypnosis
- Complete Hypnosis Session with Madeline Pain Control
- Hypnotherapy Example: Treatment of a Chronic Cough (34:20)
- Pain Control Hypnotherapy Session: Cancer pain (Louie) (70:52)
- 4.9 Hypnotherapy as Editing Experience (5:05)
- Post-Test: Trance for Change
- 5.1 Pain Reduction and Management (14:17)
- 5.1.1 Milton Erickson Examples of Pain Control (5:42)
- 5.1.2 Beside Yourself with Comfort: Pain Control
- 5.1.3 Hypnosis for migraines
- 5.1.4 Hypnosis for labor and comfortable childbirth
- 5.1.5 Hypnosis for comfortable childbirth and labor 2
- 5.2 Calm Beneath the Waves: Help for Anxiety, Panic and Desperation
- 5.3 Moving On 1: A trance to help resolve sexual abuse
- 5.3.1 Moving On 2: Another trance to help resolve sexual abuse
- 5.4 Trance for insomnia
- 5.4.1 A trance for overcoming insomnia
- 5.5 Hypnosis for weight management
- 5.6 Trance for confidence
- 5.7 Food Flexibility Trance
- 5.8 Mastering Self Hypnosis
- 5.9 Doing Group Inductions (25:43)
- 5.9.1 Example of a Group Induction (10:54)
- Post-Test: Specific Hypnosis Applications
- Milton Erickson: Pioneer of Plasticity and Evocative Change
- Utilizing Hypnosis with Children: Dog Phobia (22:37)
- Demonstration trance of working with the 3-D Model (34:57)
- Hypnosis, Solution-Focused Work, Imagination and Play (62:18)
- Demonstration of hypnosis for insomnia (41:38)
- Hypnosis demonstration with Martha's client (57:12)
- About This Section (Core Competencies of Ericksonian Therapy)
- Core Competencies of Ericksonian Therapy - "Introduction" (with Dan Short, PhD and Scott Miller, PhD)
- 1: Core Competencies of Ericksonian Therapy - "Tailoring" (with Roxanna Erickson-Klein, PhD)
- 2: Core Competencies of Ericksonian Therapy - "Utilization" (with Stephen Gilligan, PhD)
- 3: Core Competencies of Ericksonian Therapy - "Strategic" (with Michael Yapko, PhD)
- 4: Core Competencies of Ericksonian Therapy - "Destabilization" (with Stephen Lankton, LCSW, DAHB)
- 5: Core Competencies of Ericksonian Therapy - "Experiential" (with Jeffrey Zeig, PhD)
- 6: Core Competencies of Ericksonian Therapy - "Naturalistic" (with Norma Barretta, PhD)
- Post-Test: Ericksonian Core Competencies
- About This Section (Hypnosis Research and Efficacy)
- Survey of Common Hypnosis Use (Article)
- Post-Test (Survey of Common Hypnosis Use)
- Traditional vs. Alternative Approaches in Hypnosis (Article)
- Post-Test (Traditional vs. Alternative Approaches in Hypnosis)
- Hypnosis in Trauma Work with Children (Article)
- Post-Test (Hypnosis in Trauma Work with Children)
- Hypnosis in Pain Management (Article)
- Post-Test (Hypnosis in Pain Management)
- Hypnosis as a Tool for Surgical Procedures (Article)
- Post-Test (Hypnosis as a Tool for Surgical Procedures)
- About the Coaching Calls
- Coaching and demonstration call- July 7, 2016 (65:47)
- Coaching and demo call September 6, 2016 (101:31)
- Demonstration coaching call July 8, 2017 (video) (99:30)
- Demonstration video session May 11, 2018 (87:01)
- Coaching call #1 May 19, 2018
- Coaching call #2 May 27, 2018
- Coaching call #3 June 2, 2018
- Coaching call #4 June 24, 2018
- Coaching call #5 July 2, 2018
- Coaching call #6 August 6, 2018
- Demonstration call August 5, 2018 (video) (114:33)
- Post-Test: Further Demonstrations and Recording of Coaching Calls
What past students of this course are saying
"I had been wanting to do this course with Bill for years! It finally came together when the course was offered with PsychMaven. I have taken many courses in both NLP and hypnosis over the past 20 years, and I have to say, Bill's course was just awesome!
One of the things that most stands out for me about this course, is its multi-leveled development of hypnosis skills building. Someone new to hypnosis can find themselves with the perfect starter-kit to get them up and running, quickly and easily, into using trance. While a more advanced practitioner would be impressed by the way the material allows them to build onto and incorporate their experience, not to mention Bill's incredible language patterns!
This course helped me put together all the pieces I have been collecting and practicing over the years into a usable creative framework. I cannot thank Bill and PsychMaven enough for offering this in a format I could do at my own pace!
- Grant W. Pell, Registered Psychotherapist, (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
"The course was great and I loved hearing stories about Milton Erickson. Bill was able to deconstruct Erickson’s work and maintain the magic that is Erickson. That is the mark of a great teacher"
- Barbara Wohlander, Past Clinical Social Worker of the Year by the California Society for Clinical Social Work’s (CSCSW)
"Bill O'Hanlon's course with PsychMaven was taught in a clear, fun, dynamic manner - while also presenting, in-depth, highly useful, hands-on skills that can be immediately and directly applied.
Also, such fabulous, relevant metaphors and multi-faceted stories. Bill has the personality, the skills, and years of powerfully relevant experience to be an amazing teacher. And he was!
I highly recommend this course to those who want a strong and practical training for non-directive and effective hypnosis."