Southern California Society for
Ericksonian Psychotherapy and Hypnosis

 

The Classics Series

A collection of audio tapes of lectures and workshops by some of the central figures in psychotherapy and clinical theory. These experts present their core concepts that have withstood the test of time. These classics include:

• Systemic Family Therapy with Gianfranco Cecchin
• Constructionism with Humberto Maturana
• Clinical Second-Order Cybernetics with Heinz Von Foerster
• Ideodynamic Hypnosis with David Cheek
• Medical Hypnosis with Donald Schafer
• The Scientific Study of Hypnosis with André Weitzenhoffer

And even beyond the individual contributions of these masters, the materials drawn from the Systemic Constructions Conference provide an indepth collection of presentations, discussions, and demonstrations integrating a variety of therapeutic perspectives.

Demonstrations and Lecture of Milan Systemic Family Therapy with Gianfranco Cecchin, M.D.

In Laguna Beach, California, for two days in March of 1989, participants were treated to a private workshop with Dr. Gianfranco Cecchin. During those two days, Dr. Cecchin used live and mock family interviews and interventions to demonstrate the lasting core of the Milan Systemic Family Therapy. These six audio tapes contain the essence of those two days.

Dr. Cecchin is one of the original members of the Research and Treatment Team from the Milan Family Therapy Center. Among his publications include co-authorship of Paradox and Counter-Paradox and Milan Systemic Family Therapy.

Dr. Cecchin is internationally respected as one of the world's most effective teachers of Milan Systemic Family Therapy. His style reflects an amalgam of his involvement with Gregory Bateson and Milton Erickson combined with the unique Cecchin perspective and style.

This is classic Gianfranco Cecchin at his best.

Dr. Cecchin's Keynote Address for the Systemic Constructions conference may be found below.

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Systemic Constructions

For the first time, on April, 1990, this diverse and complementary group of systems experts presented a three-day seminar and conference in Laguna Beach, California. During those three days, an international audience of professionals watched and participated in integrating the fields of:

• Systemic Family Therapy
• Constructionism
• Hypnosis
• Second-Order Cybernetics
• Neurological theories

into a higher order of Family and Clinical Hypnotic therapies which remains today as the core of modern integrated therapies.

The conference portion included opening presentations from Gary Ruelas, Heinz Von Foerster, Humberto Maturana and Gianfranco Cecchin. Here, an overview of the history, evolution and the central enduring qualities of their specialties were presented.

The seminar portion, moderated and coordinated by Dr. Ruelas, was the clinical application, practicum and demonstration of their integrated perspectives. This included the clinical interview and intervention of a live individual client and a family. The participants of the seminar helped set up hypotheses, watch Drs. Von Foerster, Maturana and Cecchin interview the clients and formulate and enact interventions.

These audio tapes are the recorded proceedings of this conference and seminar. They were created for the Society Archives for the private use of members to study and expand their clinical perspectives and skills. In response to the requests of others in the professional community, these tapes are now available to members in the mental health field.

The Conference

Heinz Von Foerster, Ph.D.
Keynote Presentation

One of the founders of modern cybernetics, Dr. Von Foerster introduces mental health professionals to Second Order Cybernetics, a term he coined in 1946. Using his irrepressible wit and energy, he presents an easy to understand overview of how people experience reality.

Humberto Maturana, Ph.D.
Keynote Presentation

The brightest star in the Constructivist Movement introduces his special understanding of the nature of human beings and relationships. He presents a truly unique perspective on love, truth, language and emotions that has changed the meaning of therapy.

Gianfranco Cecchin, M.D.
Keynote Presentation

This world reknowned clinical trainer and author presents the history, evolution and current research for the Milan Centro de Familia, the research and clinical practice center for Milan Systemic Family Therapy.

All 6 audio cassettes of the of the keynote presentations of the Systemic Constructions Conference plus a free copy of Dr. Ruelas' overview.

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The Seminar

Interviews and interventions with a family and an individual

This series demonstrates the integration of the Second Order Cybernetics of Heinz Von Foerster, the Constructivism of Humberto Maturana and the Systemic approach of Gianfranco Cecchin to produce a powerful clinical approach to psychotherapy. These tapes chronicled, for the first time, Drs. Von Foerster, Maturana and Cecchin conducting joint clinical interviews and interventions.

Individual interview and practicum

Drs. Von Foerster, Maturana and Cecchin use their diverse perspectives to interview an individual client. They approach the individual as a system within herself, not just as being a member of an outside system. The participants of the conference generate hypotheses for the doctors to test. The interview ends with a panel discussion.

Panel discussion

Stimulated by the individual interview, Drs. Von Foerster, Maturana and Cecchin and moderator Gary Ruelas present the similarities and differences of their perspectives in an informal discussion, ques-tions and answer session. This tape shows a candid look at the people behind some of the most influential theories of our time.

Family interview and practicum

Drs. Von Foerster, Maturana and Cecchin use their diverse perspectives to interview the intricacies of a family system. The participants of the conference generate hypotheses for the doctors to test. The interview ends with a panel discussion.

Closing panel discussion

After the formal Seminar, Drs. Von Foerster, Maturana and Cecchin and moderator Gary Ruelas present the similarities and differences of their perspectives in an informal discussion, questions and answer session. This cassette is included free in the audio set.

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The Classics of Clinical Hypnosis

Keynote Speech and Demonstrations by David Cheek, M.D.
Resolving Prenatal and Early Life Trauma Using Ideo-Motor Approaches

Senior-author, with Leslie LeCron, of the classic: Clinical Hypnotherapy and Co-author, with Ernest Rossi, of the ground-breaking book, Mind-Body Therapy.

These six audio cassettes include both David Cheek's Keynote Address and later demonstrations. Following the keynote address, Drs. Weitzenhoffer, Schafer and moderator Dr. Gary Ruelas discuss the presentation with Dr. Cheek.

During the demonstration segment, Dr. Cheek presents his classic mind-body techniques. Using his unique ideodynamic approach, he shows how to identify and resolve early-life and pre-birth trauma.

Highlights include Dr. Cheek's demonstrations of:

• Ideomotor techniques
• Strategies in ideodynamic utilization
• Treating adults' pre-verbal traumas
• The role of pre-birth trauma in adult psychological and medical dysfunction

Keynote Speech and Case Histories by Donald Schafer, M.D.
The applications and implications of hypnosis in the treatment of medical symptoms.

The uses of hypnosis in the integration of psychological, neurological and immunological functions.

These six audio cassettes include both Keynote Address and later discussion of strategic case histories by Donald Schafer. Following the keynote address, Drs. Weitzenhoffer, Cheek and moderator Dr. Gary Ruelas discuss the presentation with Dr. Schafer.

During the discussion segment, Dr. Schafer presents case histories and examples of his use of hypnosis regarding:

• Pain
• Stress
• Asthma
• Migraine headaches
• High Blood Pressure
• Obstetrics and childbirth
• Relationship factors that effect cancer patients

Keynote Speech and Demonstrations by André Weitzenhoffer, Ph.D.
Understanding Semi-Traditional and Non-Traditional Hypnosis

Author of the classic two volume encyclopedia of hypnosis, The Practice of Hypnotism: Applications of Traditional and Semi-Traditional Techniques

These six audio cassettes include both André Weitzenhoffer's Keynote address and later demonstration. Following the keynote address, Drs. Cheek, Schafer and moderator Dr. Gary Ruelas discuss the presentation with Dr. Weitzenhoffer.

Highlights include Dr. Weitzenhoffer's presentation and critical reviews of:

• The ins and outs of non-traditional hypnosis
• The approaches of Milton H. Erickson, M.D.
• The 7 Important Questions in clinical hypnosis
• The nature of hypnosis
• The Chevreul Pendulum signaling technique