The Breakout Heuristic

These selected papers of Ernest Rossi from 1967 to 2007 detail research into the emerging neuroscience fields of mind-body medicine, specifically three salient factors that facilitate brain growth: novelty, environmental enrichment and physical exercise. The essential function of psychotherapy and all healing arts as well as the humanities, culture, and creative work is to engage what is inherently fascinating to the individual. This empowers a pursuit to find one’s own genius, personal development, and healing on all levels from mind to molecule through individual exploration.

The Breakout Heuristic is a welcome volume to anyone interested in Rossi’s chronobiological and psychobiological hypotheses of psychotherapy… Likewise, the overview of his ideas will interest those who are adherents of the naturalistic forms of Ericksonian hypnosis…First-time readers will also find this book a fascinating introduction to Rossi’s ideas. Mostly, The Breakout Heuristic is inspiring reading. Though firmly grounded in a biological model of psychology, and at times difficult to comprehend, a joie de vivre runs through all of his writing. Rossi conveys a sense of wonder at the creativity involved in simply being human. For this alone, The Breakout Heuristic is a worthy addition to any clinician’s bookshelf.

—Scott Hoye, Adler School of Professional Psychology, Chicago.