UTILIZATION AND INDIRECT SUGGESTION IN MULTIPLE-FAMILY GROUP THERAPY WITH ALCOHOLICS

The great versatility and utility of Ericksonian approaches to psychotherapy are demonstrated by the application of these techniques to large, multiple-family group therapy of alcoholic families. Using such techniques as unconscious conditioning, therapeutic binds, indirect suggestion, and the utilization approach, a therapist can manage an unwieldy group of 70 or 80 resistant patients and lead them in a positive, therapeutic direction. This paper describes how a set of specific goals are achieved using these techniques.