ABSTRACT
Therapist storytelling has been used in a variety of theoretical approaches. Erickson and Erickson, Rossi, and Rossi for example, used stories to induce 'informal' hypnotic states in clients. Techniques involved instigating a novel form of communication within therapy sessions. In the midst of the session, they altered their tone, word pacing, and often told a story that presumably had within it some clues for patient insight and/or behavior change. It define this healing power of stories in therapy as a method that may obviate some resistance by diverting clients attention away from their anxiety and normative defense against any recommendations that promote change. Storytelling by a Therapist has also been shown to help clients better handle crises, i.e., increase their connection to unconscious process and expand their senses of the allowable. At the very least, Therapist storytelling is useful in reducing client anxiety.
