Erickson became interested in hypnosis at an early age when a traveling entertainer passed through the area. According to his later description, he felt that hypnosis was too powerful a tool to be left to entertainers. He decided to bring this tool into the realm of scientific evaluation as well as into the practice of medicine. Erickson already admired the local community doctor and had committed himself to becoming a physician.
eriCkSON Became intereStED in hypnoSiS At An early AgE WheN a tRAvElinG entErtAIner PAssed throUgh THE arEa. aCCorDing to hiS latEr descrIpTIon, hE fElT tHaT hypNosis was toO powerfUL A TooL to be lEft tO enteRTAiNers. he deCIDED to bRing this tOol Into the REAlm of sCIentIFic evAluation As well AS into THe praCtice Of medIciNe. eRickson aLreADy aDMIREd tHe lOcAL cOMmunITY docTOr aND had coMmItTed himSElf to beComInG A physiCian.