We can use the utilization technique for mental health treatment and personal development. It entails converting an existing resource into a tool with a useful purpose. It can be surprising to see negative or inappropriate behavior, but it is often the result of dysfunctional attempts to achieve a positive outcome, such as a child misbehaving to gain attention.

A patient at a mental hospital where Erickson worked believed he was Jesus Christ and spent a lot of time rubbing his hands together while spaced out. Patients could work on projects in the hospital’s woodshop. Erickson approached the patient one day and said, “Sir, I understand you are a carpenter,” knowing that Jesus was one. Erickson strapped sandpaper and a wooden block to the patient’s hands, instructing him to sand and work on the block of wood rather than rubbing them together aimlessly.

This sensory experience aided the patient’s development of woodworking skills and interest, and he progressed to making furniture. Erickson took advantage of the patient’s delusions and disorganized behavior, which most professionals would have tried to eliminate. He was able to connect the patient to valuable resources such as identity, motivation, engagement, experience, and the woodshop by doing so.

To address challenging behaviors and situations with difficult or troubled children, we can also use creative forms of utilization. We can collaborate with others to devise even more practical applications for this technique. So, the next time we are concerned, disturbed, or irritated by someone’s behavior, we can put on our creative hat and consider how we can use it for good.