Nova Southeastern University NSUWorks Department of Family Therapy Dissertations CAHSS Theses, Dissertations, and Applied and Applied Clinical Projects Clinical Projects 2017 The Delicate Process and Relational Style of Solution Focused Brief Therapy: Ericksonian Hypnotherapy Resemblances in SFBT Annette BoVee-Akyurek Follow this and additional works at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/shss_dft_etd Share Feedback About This Item This Dissertation is brought to you by the CAHSS Theses, Dissertations, and Applied Clinical Projects at NSUWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects by an authorized administrator of NSUWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Delicate Process and Relational Style of Solution Focused Brief Therapy: Ericksonian Hypnotherapy Resemblances in SFBT by Annette BoVee-Akyurek A Dissertation Presented to the College of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Nova Southeastern University 2017 Copyright by Annette BoVee-Akyurek June 2017 Acknowledgments There have been many people who assisted me along the way in completion of my dissertation, and I would like to share my appreciation and gratitude. It has truly been a journey, different than many of my past works, and the assistance has been forever valuable. The process began with Dr. Douglas Flemons and his knowledge of Ericksonian hypnotherapy, which has greatly influenced me. He assisted me in exploring my topic with several twists and turns, facilitating my thinking processes delicately and with care. This process was valuable for my next step as I joined my chair, Dr. Kara Erolin, in putting my study together, working in collaboration with my thought processes and writings, and graciously supporting my intended pace throughout the process. Dr. Ron Chenail was a valuable contributor with his “3-D” ability to explore the concepts, his expertise in qualitative analysis, and his influence to open my eyes to the beautiful work of Insoo Kim Berg and Steve de Shazer’s solution focused brief therapy (SFBT) approach. Dr. Jim Hibel was valuable in bringing forth his ideas and posing questions that were not apparent through my lens. He invited a different perspective that influenced my presentation of ideas. I thank you all for supporting my intentions and helping move me forward in this process. My appreciation and gratitude includes the influence of the professors in the Department of Family Therapy at Nova Southeastern University, who expanded my awareness even further into a true systemic and relational mindset. This includes my coursework, as well as my practical training. When I served as supervisor assistant to Dr. Arlene Gordon, she graciously shared her knowledge, expertise as an SFBT practitioner, and personal relationship with Insoo Kim Berg, and this greatly influenced my practice. iv Dr. Douglas Flemons has notably influenced my understanding and practice of Ericksonian hypnotherapy and significantly influenced my present work. In addition, I must note the beautiful support and patience I received from my friends and family, who supported my goals and believed I would attain them. My husband took on the financial costs, as I worked at a minimum to complete in a timely manner, checking up on me with a periodic, “How’s it going?” I acknowledge my daughters, who graciously moved through their lives successfully with few complaints that their mommy was always busy, and who encouraged me with the occasional, “Good job, mommy!” My parents and siblings supported me with the forever notion of, “You can do this!” My beautiful and dear friends continually stated, “You got this!” and my animals were by my side while I worked diligently at my desk. I have appreciation and gratitude for the ability to have access to Florida’s beautiful beaches, which have greatly influenced and facilitated my internal wisdom and resources, as well as my thinking processes during the development and construction of my dissertation. I am also grateful to have the ability to exercise, meditate, and practice yoga, an asset to staying centered, focused, and maintaining my drive to move forward. As I moved through this dissertation, I became fond of Milton Erickson, Insoo Kim Berg, and Steve de Shazer in their efforts and contributions to the field of psychotherapy. I feel fortunate that they have greatly influenced my work, and I hope to be one of many to carry on the intent of their approaches. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Pages Acknowledgments ………………….…………………………………………………... iv List of Tables …..……………………….…………………………………………. xi List of Figures ………………..………………………………………………………… xii Abstract …………..……………………………………………………………………. xiii CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………... 1 Ericksonian Hypnotherapy ………………………………………………………. 3 Therapeutic Approach ………………………………………………...…. 4 The Goal of the Hypnotist ……………………….………………. 6 Erickson’s Tenets ………………………………………………... 6 Erickson’s Stages ...……………………………………………… 7 Trance …………….………………..…………………………….. 7 Solution Focused Brief Therapy ………………..………………………8 Therapeutic Approach ………………………...…………………………. 9 The Goal of the SFBT Therapist ……………………………..… 10 SFBT Tenets …………………………………………………… 11 SFBT Stages ...………………………………….………………. 11 Similarities of Ericksonian Hypnotherapy and SFBT ...…………..…………… 13 Collaborative Therapeutic Relationship ……………………..………… 14 Focusing on the Present and Future ……………………………………. 15 Moving Toward Solutions ……..…………………...………………….. 16 Client’s Strengths and Unique Resources ……………………………… 17 vi Utilization of Presented Observational Data …………………………… 19 Creativity ……………………………………………………………..… 19 Definition of Terms …………………….....……………………………………. 20 Statement of Research Intent ………………..…………………………….……. 24 Statement of the Problem ……………………………………………. .... 24 Purpose of the Study …………....……………………………………… 26 Significance of the Study …………………………..…………………... 29 Research Process …..…………………………………………………… 30 Conclusion ………………………..……………………………………………. 31 CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW …………………..………………………. 33 Philosophical Stance …………………………………………………………… 33 The Interview …………………………...……………………………… 33 Observation Data ………………..……………………………………... 35 Therapist’s Attitude and Stance ………………………………... 35 Symptoms ……………………………………………………… 35 Valuing Clients’ Unique Qualities …………………………...… 36 Beginning to Move …………………………………………….. 37 Patterns and Sequences ………………………………………… 38 Representational System ……………..………………………………… 38 Models and Maps …………………..……………………………….….. 40 Language ……………..………………………………………………… 43 Therapeutic Communication …………………………………… 45 Use of Questions ……………………………………………….. 48 vii Silence ………………………………………………………….. 48 The Change Process ……………..…………………………………….. 48 Strength Perspective …..………………………………………………... 49 Coping ……………………………………………..…………………… 51 Hope and Expectancy …………......…………………………………… 51 Collaborative Process …………………...……………………………… 51 Facilitation of Awareness ………..…………………………………….. 55 Utilization ……………………………………………………………………. ... 55 Miracle Question ……..………………………………………………… 57 Exceptions …………………………..………………………………….. 62 Scaling Questions ……..………………………………………………... 64 Crystal Ball Technique ……………………..………………………….. 64 Multiple-Dissociation Technique ………………...…………………….. 65 Ratification ………...…………………………………………………… 65 Positive Attribution ………..…………………………………………… 65 Future Progression and Hallucination ……………..…………………… 66 Feedback ……………..………………………………………………… 66 Suggestions ………………..……..…………………………………….. 67 Stories and Anecdotes ……..……...……………………………………. 68 Confusion Technique ..………..…..……………………………………. 69 Rehearsal Technique ……………..…………………………………….. 70 Priming …..……………………………………………………………... 70 Seeding …………………..……………………………………………... 70 viii Metaphor …………………………..…………………………………… 71 Reframing ………………………..…………………………………….. 73 Intention …………..……………………………………………………. 73 Presupposition ………………………..………………………………… 74 Conclusion …………………………..…………………………………………. 75 CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY …………………………………………………. 77 Self as a Researcher ……………………………….…..………………………... 77 Research Design …………………………..……………………………………. 77 Participants and Setting …………..…………………………………………….. 80 Data Collection, Data Analysis, and Procedures ……..………………………... 80 Step One ………………………………………………………………... 80 Step Two ……………………………………………………………….. 81 Step Three ……………………………………………………………. 82 Step Four ……………………………………………………………….. 83 Step Five ……………………………………………………………….. 84 Step Six ………………………………………………………………… 85 Step Seven ……………………………………………………………… 85 Step Eight ………………………………………………………………. 88 Quality Control …………………………………..…………………………….. 89 CHAPTER IV: RESEARCH FINDINGS ………………………………………..…. 90 Gee’s Tools and Questions ……………..……………………………………. ... 90 Resemblances in Part A-Utilization ……………..……..………………………. 93 Symptom Prescription …………..……………………………………… 94 ix Time and Joining ………..…………………………………………… 95 Patterns, Sequences, Models, Maps ………...………………………….. 96 Awareness and Sensitivity …………...………………………………… 98 Strength Perspective ………………………...………………………… 101 Hope and Expectancy ……..………………………………………….. 102 Collaborative Process …………………...…………………………….. 104 Crystal Ball Technique …………..…………………………………… 104 Multiple-Dissociation Technique …..…………………………………. 106 Ratification …………………..………………………………………... 107 Future Progression and Hallucination …………..…………………….. 108 Suggestions …………………………..……………………………….. 109 Stories and Anecdotes ………………..……………………………….. 111 Confusion Technique …………..……………………………………... 113 Rehearsal Technique ……………..…………………………………… 114 Priming and Seeding ……………..…………………………………… 115 Metaphor …………………………………………………..………….