Editorial

As this issue goes to press there are major concerns for worldwide health and our economy. There are many unanswered questions and innumerable personal concerns created by the COVID-19 pandemic. These include worrisome times for 40% of the US population living from paycheck to paycheck. An even larger population who now have no childcare and potentially the loss of nutritional meals for their school-aged children and the increased threat of family violence. In addition, with the lack of wide-scale testing, there is an unknown security for the population with existing health problems, compromised immune systems, and advanced-age concerns. On a larger scale we all have concerns for the continued existence of small businesses, retirement accounts, and of course, life itself. With all of this in mind, the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis postponed the annual March 2020 conference to keep in league with recommendations of the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control, and the Department of Health and Human Services. It is now scheduled for August 20–23, 2020. Clearly, we do not yet know the extent of the impact of this COVID-19 virus pandemic or how long that impact will endure. These concerns are genetic, psychological, medical, financial, and economic to say the least. Yet, this issue of the Journal goes to press. As with all approaches to health care, we are destined to “stay in our lane.” And while the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis has no position or voice in political, economic, and epidemiological realm, we continue to have the intent to increase health, quality of life, sense of agency, and to reduce individuals’ suffering, anxiety, depression, pain, and reduced helplessness. We take the position of helping individuals and families find and use the personal resources needed to cope with any internal, psychological, environmental, or social demand. It is likely that more psychotherapy and psychiatry will be conducted using Internet tools and other digital tools of communication. State departments of licensure have varying guidelines regarding what is expected of their independent practitioners. I want to urge readers to investigate and be sure to be in compliance with their respective licensing board’s regulations. Perhaps future issues will reflect articles on tele-therapy including research, best practices, ethics, and clinical techniques that can be used in that medium of contact. That remains to be seen. This issue of the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis goes to press just weeks after the 40th anniversary of the death of its first editor-in-chief, Milton H. Erickson. Dr. Erickson died March 25, 1980. He helped found the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis in 1958 and edited this journal for 10 years. His work has been the mainstream for many offshoots including areas of, not just hypnosis, but also family therapy, strategic therapy, solution focused therapy, and other sub-categories of these approaches. The Milton H. Erickson Foundation in Phoenix, Arizona celebrated this 40th year event last December at what is to be their last Congress on Ericksonian Hypnosis and Psychotherapy, and also on their website. We all owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Dr. Erickson for his contribution to AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS 2021, VOL. 63, NO. 1, 1–3 https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2020.1755559