Thesis (D. Min.)--Western Theological Seminary, 1987. / Includes abstract and vitae. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 214-225).

Historically psychobiography has focused to a large extent on the study of pathology in human development. In recent years, scholars in the field of psychobiography have recommended that studies with a eugraphic focus be undertaken, thereby investigating optimal human development. Milton Hyland Erickson (1901-1980) was an American psychologist and psychiatrist. An extraordinary creative individual who conducted pioneering work in the field of hypnosis. Whilst vast publications of his academic work exist and his work is continued through the Milton H. Erickson Foundation and its global subsidiaries, in comparison, his life story has not been the focus of much study. The psychobiographical merit of Erickson as the subject of the study was based on his involvement in interesting and important events, as well as his resilient attitude towards life, during even dire moments. The focus of this psychobiography was to conceptualise Erickson’s life in terms of the principles of Adler’s Individual Psychology and Peterson and Seligman’s Character Strengths and Virtues Classification. Through this process it was aimed to provide descriptions and interpretations of Erickson’s personality in order to illuminate aspects such as his creativity, service to others, and optimism. The study is written from the first person perspective and is rooted in the interpretive paradigm. It utilises a qualitative research approach in order to gain an in-depth understanding of Erickson’s finished life and thereby taking into account contextual factors. The two theoretical frameworks guided the iterative data collection and data analysis processes and the data were organised into a descriptive framework. The method of data analysis was idiographic thus describing the uniqueness of Erickson life. Strategies such as the triangulation of data sources and theory, focusing on aspects of saliency, trustworthiness, and ethics were employed to ensure reliable data extraction and interpretation. The study revealed that both theoretical frameworks were appropriate in their description and interpretation of Erickson’s personality and character strengths. Of significance was the protective role that creativity, social interest, hope, and optimism played against trauma and these emerged as central themes in Erickson’s life in terms of his psychological wellbeing. The findings on creativity and social interest are supported by existing research and theory but also highlight perspectives for future research. Creativity is a key component of knowledge production and therefore research in this area could improve our understanding of how it can be nurtured and developed across the lifespan. Whilst the construct of social interest was integral to this study its validity in terms of providing adequate explanations of how individuals balance their own needs against the needs of others was examined and suggestions of where the theory can be elaborated were highlighted.

D.Litt. et Phil. / The objective of this study was to describe, apply and evaluate the effect of an integrated Ericksonian and ego state therapy intervention approach for the treatment of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Sexual abuse rips away an invaluable inner resource from the victim and this needs to be restored during the healing process. Every adult survivor presents a unique pattern of symptoms and effects of having experienced childhood sexual abuse. Therefore, it was necessary to plan an intervention strategy individualised according to each sexually abused person's unique experience. Therapeutic models and approaches developed to assist in the treatment of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse are available but not always comprehensive and often not evaluated. Thus, evaluated studies that determine the effectiveness of distinct strategies and procedures for treating sexual abuse, are required. Psychological research regarding sexual abuse has tended to focus on aspects related to pathology. This study aimed to explore the possibilities for treatment plans for sexually abused individuals from the salutogenic/fortigenic perspective. This focus emphasises the promotion of strengths, well-being and wholeness. Accordingly, both the Ericksonian and ego state therapy approaches acknowledge the existence of resources within an individual, and therefore focus on the utilisation and mobilisation of strengths and resources during psychotherapy. In 2002, Hartman integrated these two approaches and proposed the Utilisation Model of Ego State Therapy, which included principles of the SARI Model (Frederick & McNeal, 1999; Phillips & Frederick, 11 1995), which was primarily developed for the treatment of trauma and dissociative disorders. Therefore, this study described, applied and evaluated the application of the Utilisation Model of Ego State Therapy as a broad and integrated approach for intervention with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T20:40:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Licia Ferreira Caire.pdf: 1034574 bytes, checksum: 09b9f70995105a8373219082f77e4b8c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-05-21 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The fact that almost all the studies returned through the systematic review concerned the keywords cancer and hypnosis‟ aimed just relate statistical data, as so the rare number of researches associating psychologic aspects and the hypnotic self-experience reported instigate a qualitative method for the atual study. The goal of this research was interpreting and understanding the impact of self-experienced during the hypnotic state by each prostate cancer patient about his self realize of health, thrust in treatment and improvement of strategies to make a future better. Without to forget the anguish which starts with the diagnosis and interventions possible. 12 prostate cancer patients were companied along 5 sessions of hypnotherapy weakly each one during around one hour. The instruments consisted individuals interview before the start of the five hypnotherapy sessions, another one before each weakly session so as after each one; Hypnotic Interventions and registration of the interview. It was choose the Thematic Technique to select the subjects to be analyzed under the theoretical considerations of Psychosomatic, Psychobiology and Erickson Hypnotherapy. Subjects which demonstrated be relevant to analyze and discussion because the recurrence and anguish that brings were: Feelings and Impulses about the Impact with the Diagnosis, Meanings of Cancer and Thrust in Cure; Self-realize about Cancer Health, Improvement about Capacity of believe that makes a Future is possible. Conclusion indicated that 100% of the followers patients mentioned fell themselves better about the health, thrust in cure, improvement in the humor and increases on the strategies with the stress situations / Considerando o reduzido número de pesquisas realizadas sobre o tema câncer e hipnose que associassem aspectos psicológicos vivenciais e existenciais advindos da experiência do sujeito frente a técnica de hipnose e, tendo em vista que a quase totalidade de pesquisas retornadas a partir da revisão bibliográfica objetivava conjugar dados estatísticos, justificou-se uma pesquisa qualitativa com objetivo de interpretar e compreender o impacto das re-significações vivenciais experienciadas em estado hipnótico por cada paciente com câncer de próstata frente sua auto-percepção de saúde, crença no tratamento e capacidade de prospectar o futuro; sem negligenciar as angústias existenciais deflagradas desde o diagnóstico e intervenções. Foram acompanhados 12 sujeitos com câncer de próstata durante 5 sessões de hipnoterapia escalonadas semanalmente com duração de 1 hora. Os instrumentos consistiram em entrevistas individuais semi-dirigidas realizadas antes do início do tratamento hipnoterápico, antes de cada sessão semanal e após cada sessão; Intervenções hipnóticas e Registros das entrevistas. Foi eleita a Técnica de Análise Temática para a seleção de temas a serem analisados à luz dos preceitos teóricos psicossomáticos, da Psicobiologia e da Hipnoterapia Ericksoniana. Os Temas que mereceram destaque para análise e discussão de conteúdo devido à recorrência e angústia que despertaram foram: Sentimentos e Impulsos ao Impacto do Diagnóstico; Significado do Câncer e Crença na Cura; Auto-percepção da Melhora do Câncer; Retomada da Capacidade de Prospectar o Futuro. A conclusão indicou que 100% dos pacientes acompanhados referiram melhora na saúde, certeza da cura, retomada do humor e incremento nas estratégias de enfrentamento às situações estressógenas