About The Foundation

In 1974, an earnest, young psychologist named Jeffrey K. Zeig had a noble aspiration: He dreamed of organizing an educational meeting of mental health professionals. For six years, Zeig, along with other colleagues, trained and mentored under Milton H. Erickson, MD, the world’s foremost authority on hypnosis. Dr. Erickson did not charge many of his students (including Zeig) for his time and expertise. In order to express his gratitude and to offer Dr. Erickson an opportunity to witness the tremendous impact he had made in the field, Zeig organized the first Erickson Congress. As plans were underway, the need to establish a more formal non-profit was recognized. The Milton H. Erickson Foundation was incorporated in 1979 and the congress held in December of the following year. Unfortunately, Dr. Erickson died nine months before the event, but he was able to appreciate that 750 had already registered. The first Erickson congress attracted more than 2,000, which at the time was the largest meeting ever held on the topic of hypnosis.

During the next 40 years, the Erickson Foundation organized more congresses, held every four years. The final Erickson congress was in December of 2019. Zeig also conceptualized the Brief Therapy Conference, the Couples Conference and the Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference, and since 1985, these conferences have been going strong. The foundation also offers the online Intensives Training Program, The Art of Psychotherapy, and The Grandmasters’ Approaches to Psychotherapy classes. Our organization has a rich and expansive archive; a press, which publishes informational resources and books of Dr. Erickson’s methods and Ericksonian-related topics; a newsletter; and the Erickson Historic Residence, the former home where Dr. Erickson lived and worked the last decade of his life.

From its humble beginnings, The Milton H. Erickson Foundation has grown to become one of the most globally recognized and influential organizations in the field of psychotherapy. However, it has only been possible with the support of registrants, faculty, donors, and those who strongly believe in the our mission.

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