"therapeutic tertium": On the use and usefulness of an old metaphor, The

American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, Jul 2004 by Hammond, D Corydon

Peter, B. (2004). The "therapeutic tertium": On the use and usefulness of an old metaphor. Hypnos, 31(1), 22-32. The author believes that Erickson's concept of the "unconscious" has reactivated the concept of a "therapeutic tertium" that has been an essential ingredient of psychotherapy. The author talks about this idea finding its way into psychoanalysis a century ago, just when hypnosis was renouncing it.

He believes the reintroduction of "the therapeutic tertium" by Erickson created a renaissance in hypnosis. Historic illustrations include one of Mesmer, Bernheim, and Freud. Address for reprints: Burkhard Peter, Ph.D., Konradstr. 16, DE-80801 Munchen, Germany.