This book is a continuation of our earlier work in Hypnotic Realities (Erickson, Rossi, & Rossi, 1976) and Hypnotherapy: An Exploratory Casebook (Erickson & Rossi, 1979), whereby the senior author, Milton H. Erickson, trains the junior author, Ernest L. Rossi, in clinical hypnosis. Taken together, these three volumes present a deepening view of what hypnosis is and the ways in which a creative process of hypnotherapy can be achieved. The material in these volumes touches ultimately on the nature of human consciousness and suggests a variety of open-ended approaches to facilitate its exploration in hypnotherapy as well as in more formal research situations.

"Milton H. Erickson, M.D.: Complete Works" is the most comprehensive collection of Erickson's work with hypnosis and hypnotherapy currently available. The collection includes articles about hypnosis, hypnotherapy and psychotherapy published by Erickson across five decades (1927-1977).

Milton Erickson has been called the most influential hypnotherapist of our time. Closely related to his therapy was his use of "teaching tales." Calling upon shock, surprise, confusion—with generous use of questions, puns, and playful humor—he seeded suggestions indirectly and positively with these tales, here gathered together by Dr. Rosen.