What is the Milton Model?

Milton Erickson, considered by most experts to be the greatest hypnotist that ever lived, died in 1980, leaving behind him a legacy of successful communication skills; that many others have tried to emulate. Perhaps the best known of these being: Bandler and Grinder’s 'Milton Model'

The Milton Model itself; is a collection of simple techniques for recreating the different styles of language that Erickson used; for interrupting, engaging, distracting and directing his client's attention and behaviour

Hypnotic Suggestions

As a simple example of one of these language styles; Erickson would often deliver hypnotic suggestions as assumptions

For instance: Rather than giving the direct suggestion: "You will feel relaxed", Erickson would instead assume that the suggested behaviour will happen anyway and say: "You let me know when you’re feeling relaxed"

On another occasion he might say: "Are you aware of how feeling relaxed can be so comfortable?"

Forming Ericksonian Suggestions

What is common between these two examples, is that the actual suggestion: 'To feel relaxed', is delivered as an assumed truth, and then embedded within a larger description

Delivering suggestions in this way; makes it more likely that the suggestion will be accepted by the listener, and therefore acted upon

This makes assumptions a powerful method for delivering suggestions

Within the Milton Model; this technique of delivering an assumption is called a presupposition

The Milton Model includes full and easy-to-follow instructions for putting together many different types of presupposition

Becoming Hypnotically Skilful

As well as presuppositions, the Milton Model also includes many other empowering techniques for:

• Connecting with people
• Directing attention
• Distracting attention
• Inducing hypnotic states, and
• Forming powerful suggestions

Combined; this potent collection of skills provides a comprehensive set of tactics for improving virtually any communication situation

As an example: people have successfully applied and used these patterns within sales, therapy, marketing, people management, coaching, and many other situations where improved communication skills would make a real difference

Taking the next step

There is no doubt, that learning to use these empowering patterns takes some real dedicted practice

So we've designed the NLP Coach training software to make it much easier to practice the Milton Model

Screen shot of the NLP Coach's Milton Model training

NLP Coach provides easy to follow interactive lessons, with just the right balance of instruction, examples and practice

NLP Coach's built-in trainer and client, make it simple to understand how each hypnotic pattern works, what it can be used for, and how each pattern can be woven into your own everyday conversation

Practicing the Milton Model with NLP Coach

NLP Coach has lessons for each of the following Milton Model Patterns:

Together, these patterns provide the tactics to deliver your own unique hypnotic communication

Discover more of NLP Coach for Yourself