A criteria for psychotherapy
In his book, entitled Phoenix, Erickson recalls an experience that he had on his way home from high school with a
group of friends. A bridled horse sped past them into a farmer's yard, looking for water.
The farmer didn't recognize the horse so Erickson hopped onto the horse's back and took hold of the rein, saying
'Giddy up'.
He knew that the horse would turn in the right direction but didn't know which direction that was. Now and again the
horse would forget he was on the highway and start into a field so Erickson pulled on his rein a bit to call his attention to
the fact that the highway was where he was meant to be.
Four miles later the horse turned into a farm yard and the farmer asked Erickson where he'd found his horse, to which
Erickson informed him that it was about four miles away.
'How did you know you should come here?' asked the farmer.
Erickson replied: 'I didn't know, the horse knew - all I did was keep his attention on the road'.
Adapted from Phoenix - Therapeutic Patterns of Milton H Erickson, by Gordon, Meyers, Anderson page 166.
Implications and Applications
This is interesting because I believe that it teaches us to keep the client's attention directed at finding the solution to their
problem, rather than allowing them to digress, as many will. Sometimes there is an unwillingness on the part of the
client to face up to the real issues in their lives and they will invent excuses along the way to avoid reaching a solution.
Erickson remained in control of the horse whilst at the same time, allowing it to find it's own way, which most people
will do with the right guidance.
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