"Erickson liked to emphasize that his difficulties had a positive effect on his work. An example is pain. He suffered severe pain all his life based on his polio. Some of the cramps he had were so severe that the muscles pulled away from the ligaments ' He used autohypnosis to control that pain when he could. In the process of understanding and working with his own pain, Erickson understood pain better than any other therapist, since he'd been down that road himself." From the narration by JAY HALEY

As a brilliant pioneer in the fields of hypnotherapy and psychotherapy, Milton Erickson is viewed by many as an innovator in the same class as Sigmund Freud and Harry Stack Sullivan. This compelling 60-minute documentary videotape shows why.

Narrated by Jay Haley, this presentation offers an intimate and far-reaching portrait of this remarkable individual's life and work. You'll learn how Erickson overcame numerous adversities early in his life-dyslexia, complete paralysis from polio, and chronic pain-and how these events formed the genesis of his development as an innovator in hypnosis and therapy. We see how Erickson met, and often overcame, his life's substantial roadblocks with extraordinary creativity, determination, and courage. This is a man who, after paralysis from polio at age 17, took a 1,000 mile solo canoe trip to exercise his crippled body. When he began,he could not walk or carry his boat. When the journey was over, he could swim a mile, and walk, again.

Featuring abundant footage of Erickson during interviews and therapeutic sessions, many of which have never been previously released, you'll learn more about the man and his work through fascinating interviews with such noted authorities as Joseph Barber, Steve Gilligan, Jay Haley, Carl Hammerschlag, Carol Lankton, Stephen Lankton, Herbert Lustig, Ernest Rossi, John Weakland, and Jeffrey Zeig, as well as family members and patients. These interviews demonstrate the respect in which he was held and the profound influence he exerted over the lives of those he touched.

This inspiring portrait of one of the most humane therapists of our time will enrich the lives of all viewers, from mental health practitioners and students of all schools of psychotherapy to anyone interested in the extraordinary potential of the human spirit.