“What is needed is the development of a therapeutic situation permitting the patient to use his own thinking, his own understandings, his own emotions in the way that fits him in his scheme of life.” – Milton H. Erickson
Milton H. Erickson (1901–1980) was an American psychiatrist and psychologist specializing in hypnosis and family therapy. His innovative ideas and techniques are the basis of Solution-Focused Motivational Coaching (SFMC).
This charming anecdote—as told by Bill O’Hanlon, who studied directly with Erickson—captures the essence of SFMC:
“Erickson grew up in rural Wisconsin. One day he was playing in the farmyard with a friend when a horse ran in, his reins askew, obviously having thrown its rider. The boys caught the horse, petted it and calmed it down. Erickson said he would take the horse to its owner.
His friend said, “How do you know where to take him?”
“That’s okay —the horse knows,” Erickson replied. He jumped up on the horse’s back and steered it onto the road.
“The horse turned right and trotted off, stopping now and then to munch on the roadside grass. Eventually the horse turned left and pulled into a farmyard some five miles away, a long distance in those days.
“Having heard them come in, a farmer came out of the house and said, “There’s my horse! He threw me a while ago. But I’ve never met you before—How did you know to bring him here?”
“I didn’t—the horse did,” replied Erickson. “I just kept him on the road and kept him moving!”
One day a while ago, I caught a glimpse of myself reflected in a store window. What I saw made me stop and stare. Instead of the relatively lean guy I still believed I was, I saw a heavyset person with a protruding belly.
This was the wake-up call I needed to shock me into facing up to what my bathroom scale had been telling me for a long time: I had fallen into the very same pattern of creeping weight gain—a couple of pounds every year—that I had helped many of my clients overcome with solution-focused motivational coaching (SFMC).
My first step was to see my doctor for a checkup. Tests showed that I was pre-diabetic. The doctor suggested that I follow a low carb, or “keto” dietary plan from the Lifestyle Medicine Clinic at Duke University Medical Center. Next, as in the famous quip, “Physician, heal thyself”, I began a series of self-coaching sessions to reinforce my commitment to managing my weight.
In a short time, I got used to a new way of eating and the results began to show. My A1C fell a full point into the normal range. Over the course of a year, I dropped 40 pounds without feeling hungry, and I’ve kept it off ever since.
You can lose weight, too— on any dietary plan—by tapping into your own hidden strengths with SFMC, as I did. It’s much easier than you may think.
Sound interesting? Call me. I’ll be happy to provide a complimentary phone consultation without obligation.
Sincerely,
Fred
PS If you’d like a copy of the low carb Duke dietary plan, simply text me with your email and I’ll send you a PDF.
847-322-0945
fred@fredkutchins.com