Since we might be working together on the most intimate details of your life, it is only fair that you know a little bit about mine.
I’m Shlomo Vaknin. Nice to meet you. I’m a therapist.
If you are wondering about my first name, Shlomo, it is Hebrew. I am Jewish, named after my grandfather.
I have a son, a daughter, and a yellow Labrador. That is plenty of excitement for me.
While I am not ultra-religious, I am traditional. I keep the holidays and follow the basic rules, which helps keep me grounded.
My Professional Journey
I have been in private practice for more than two decades, working with thousands of clients. My roots in this field go back to the early 90s when I became an NLP Master Trainer and Clinical Hypnotherapist.
My focus has always been on the heavy lifting—trauma and psychosomatic disorders—helping people whose bodies are screaming what their minds are trying to hide.
I had the extraordinary privilege of studying under J. Haley, one of the founders of family therapy and strategic therapy. I eventually served as one of his TAs. Those years shaped not just how I work, but how I see the human capacity for change.
Why “Erickson” & Why “Institute”
The name Erickson is a nod to Dr. Milton H. Erickson. His methods and concepts are the bedrock of what I do; I use them every single day. But there is another, more personal reason for the choice. My mentor, Jay Haley, made his students vow never to use his name for a business or school. So, out of respect for Haley’s wishes and Erickson’s genius, the decision was clear.
As for Institute, that reflects the history of my practice. When I started, and at various points throughout my career, I didn’t work alone—I had other therapists working within the business. While the team size has fluctuated over the decades, the name remained. It made sense to keep it, as it represents the scope and history of the work we do.
A Few Books
I am also an author. I wrote The Big Book of NLP, then a few short books, and quite recently published Change Your Personality: The Irreversible Method to Reinvent Yourself.
That last book took me 18 years to put together. I mention that not to brag about my procrastination, but to show you that I believe in investing long term when it matters. Real change takes the time it takes.
What Drives Me On
A few weeks ago I had lunch with a few colleagues, and we were asking each other if we have any plans to retire. My answer is no.
In Judaism, there is a concept called Tikkun Olam, which means “repairing the world.” The idea is that we repair the world one piece, or one person, at a time. And of course, I started with being “In Repair” myself, with the guidance and support of my mentor, and I pay it forward ever since.
I see this work as my life’s mission. As long as I can be helpful, I will be here.