Procrustean beds

• Ericksonian approaches and clinical theory by Hans Van Laake, 12/31/97
  
  

Hello Hans:

Thanks for your kind words. You must know how much they mean…

When I initiated the first Erickson Congress in 1978, I asked Erickson for a quote that could be put on promotional material. He extemporaneously replied, "Each person is an individual. Hence, psychotherapy should be formulated to meet the uniqueness of the individuals's needs rather than tailoring the person to fit the Procrustean bed of a hypothetical theory of human behavior." I found it interesting that he would thusly summarize essentials of his clinical approach.

Erickson did not subscribe to explicit theories of personality. He did not subscribe to explicit theories of intervention either. I once heard Erickson's daughter Kristi, a physician, as defining Ericksonian practice as "that which works."

In my time with Erickson, he never encouraged me to learn different theories. More often, he encouraged me to view life as a learning laboratory.

I do not know much about Adler, but I recognize his genius and believe that his contributions have not gotten enough recognition in contemporary practice.

I am glad that you are enjoying the Forum and would be glad to hear from you again.

• more Procrustean beds by Hans Van Laake, 1/10/98
  • Change theory not structural theory by Stephen Lankton, 1/10/98
• Did he have a Theory? by (No author), 2/24/98