11-13 Summary and Analysis

One of Dr. Erickson's beliefs is that one can help a patient to make major changes through one small change. Completely renovating one's personality is a daunting and perhaps impossible task. However, making one small change may seem easy and perhaps even pleasant. Erickson uses several examples regarding the effectiveness of small changes.

Early in his career, Erickson spent some time working with psychotic patients in a mental hospital. While in practice, the hypnotherapist learned to address seemingly small problems that would in turn rid the patient of larger issues. Two of the doctor's favorite tales in reference to this topic are "The Patient Who Stood: and "Herbert."

In "The Patient Who Stood," Erickson attempted to make a small change in the life of a man who refused to speak or do anything but stand in one place for a large...