DIRECTIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY: XIV. SUGGESTION, PERSUASION AND ADVICE.

The article focuses on directive psychotherapy. The most common error in clinical practice has been to ascribe therapeutic results to other factors which are in reality determined by suggestion. Suggestion has been known and practiced ever since mankind settled in tribal communities. From comparative religion it is known that suggestion effects and hypnotism have been utilized by the religious leaders of all the ages from the witch doctors of primitive races to the cultist priests of modern faith healing centers. Since the principal objective of persuasion, suggestion and advice is to facilitate learning of new and more adequate modes of behavior, it follows that the total situation should be handled to provide optimum conditions of learning.