The Healing Power of Stories (in Cartoon form)

Milton Erickson (1901-1980) was a famous psychologist, psychiatrist and hypno-therapist who believed in the 'healing power of stories'. I first read Milton Erickson's 'My Voice Will Go With You: Teaching Tales of Milton H.Erickson' whilst training to be a General Practitioner over 10 years ago.

The idea that I could heal my patients with stories without them even being aware intrigued me. The more examples I read, the more I became convinced of the power of our sub-conscious over our lives. Since then I have always tried to tell my patients the 'right' sort of stories during my consultations. If a picture is worth a thousand words then surely my favourite sort of picture, a cartoon, could be used to heal patients just as Milton Erickson did...

I spent a couple of years putting ideas that could make people feel happier into cartoon form with the help of cartoonist Swapan Debnath. Together I think we produced something Milton would have liked. I recommend any doctor, medical student, nurse, psychologist, social worker, carer etc read his book so they realise the profound influence their words and stories can have on a patient. I am eternally grateful to him.