Guide to the Betty Grover Eisner Papers SC0924
Aimee L. Morgan
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
February 2009
Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford 94305-6064
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Note
This encoded finding aid is compliant with Stanford EAD Best Practice Guidelines,
Version 1.0.
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Betty Grover Eisner papers
creator:
Eisner, Betty Grover
creator:
Eisner, Willard D.
Identifier/Call Number: SC0924
Physical Description:
10 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1927-2002
Abstract: Papers documenting Betty Grover
Eisner's career in clinical psychology and experimental use of LSD and other drugs. Includes
narrative reports and audio recordings of drug therapy sessions, articles and conference
papers, book manuscripts, journals, legal documents, journals, personal and professional
correspondence, and other materials.
Biography
Betty Grover Eisner (1915-2004), a clinical psychologist best known for her experiments
with LSD and other psychoactive drugs, was born Helen Elizabeth Grover in Kansas City, MO.
After completing high school in Kansas City, she attended Stanford University and earned a
B.A. in political science in 1937. She volunteered with the Red Cross during World War II,
then spent a year in the late 1940s traveling Europe, Asia, and Africa with her first
husband, fellow Stanford graduate Will Eisner. She documented their trip in a series of
columns published in the
Los Angeles Times.
Eisner earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of California, Los
Angeles, in 1956. She completed her dissertation on the psychology of infertile women, but
by the time she graduated her primary professional interest had shifted to the use of LSD as
an aid to psychotherapy. She conducted LSD experiments with Dr. Sidney Cohen at a Veterans'
Administration hospital in Los Angeles, and later established a private psychotherapy
practice in Santa Monica. After psychiatric research with LSD was banned in the United
States in the late 1960s, Eisner experimented with using other drugs to promote
psychological breakthroughs in patients, including ketamine and injectable Ritalin. Other
treatments favored by Eisner included the inhalation of carbogen (a mix of 70% oxygen and
30% carbon dioxide), hot mineral baths, massage, and "blasting," a technique in which a
patient was encouraged to release hostility by yelling while muffled by a washcloth.
In 1976, one of Eisner's patients died following mineral bath treatment and blasting
therapy. A wrongful death investigation ensued, as well an ethics investigation by the
American Psychological Association. The Psychology Examining Committee of the California
Board of Medical Quality Assurance revoked Eisner's license to practice in 1978. Eisner
twice attempted to have her license restored in the early 1980s. Both attempts were
unsuccessful.
Eisner was the author of
The Unused Potential of Marriage and
Sex
, published in 1970, as well as an unpublished book based on her group therapy
work,
I Can't, You Can't, But We Can. During the late 1950s
and early 1960s, she authored several journal articles and conference papers on her use of
LSD and other drugs in psychotherapy In 2002, she wrote a memoir titled
Remembrances of LSD Therapy Past. Although unpublished, this
memoir is available on the World Wide Web. Eisner also wrote song lyrics in the 1970s under
the pseudonym Rev. B. Later in life, she wrote poetry under the name Abigail Bradbury. She
and her second husband, Bill Micks, helped to found the Center for Learning, a school for
the teaching of English in Mexico.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Betty Grover Eisner Papers, SC 0924. Stanford University
Archives, Stanford, Calif.
Arrangement
The collection consists of six series: Series 1: Personal and Family Papers; Series 2:
Writing; Series 3: Correspondence; Series 4: Legal Files; Series 5: Therapy and Research
Files; and Series 6: Audio Materials.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Betty Grover Eisner, 2001.
Publication Rights
Property rights reside with the repository. Literary rights reside with the creators of the
documents or their heirs. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the
Public Services Librarian of the Dept. of Special Collections.
Access
With the exception of Series 2, Series 3 and the world trip materials in Series 1, access
to the collection is restricted according to the Department's
Access to Health
Information of Individuals Policy
. Please contact the University Archivist for
more information.
Scope and Content of Collection
The papers document Betty Grover Eisner's career in clinical psychology as well as the
intersection of her career with her personal life. Included are detailed narrative reports
on Eisner's use of LSD and other drugs in conjunction with psychotherapy; audio tapes of
drug sessions; numerous articles and conference papers as well as drafts of two books by
Eisner; dream journals, free association writing, and other personal writing; legal papers
and supporting documents related to an investigation of Eisner for wrongful death and the
subsequent revocation of her professional license; and professional and family
correspondence. Prominent correspondents include Sidney J. Cohen, Herman Denber, Albert
Hoffman, Krishnamurti, Anais Nin, Ron Sandison, and Lewis Terman.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Group psychoanalysis
Group psychotherapy
Psychoanalysis
Correspondence.
sound recordings
Psychotherapy
Psychologists
Articles.
LSD (Drug) -- Therapeutic use
Eisner, Betty Grover
Eisner, Willard D.
Abramson, Harold A. (Harold Alexander),
1899-1980
Cohen, Sidney
Denber, Herman C. B. (Herman Cecil B.)
Eisner, Betty Grover
Eisner, Willard D.
Harman, Willis W.
Hofmann, Albert
Jung, C. G. (Carl Gustav)
Krishnamurti, J. (Jiddu)
Nin, Anaïs
Sandison, Ronald
Terman, Lewis Madison
Personal and family papers Series 1
1927-1987
Series Description
This series includes a variety of materials related to Eisner's early education,
marriage, and family life. Included are report cards from Kansas City public schools and
Stanford University and a scrapbook of Stanford Daily clippings which documents Eisner's
involvement in campus life from 1933-1937.
The correspondence in this series is of a highly personal nature, particularly the
correspondence which documents Eisner's relationship with her first husband, Will
Eisner, in the years immediately prior to his death from lung cancer in 1965. Betty's
correspondence with Will's family is also intensely personal, discussing the couple's
marital difficulties in detail.
Also included is personal writing by Eisner, including a diary of dreams and free
association writing, both of which appear to reflect her growing interest in psychology
prior to enrolling in UCLA's clinical psychology Ph.D. program.
There is also a subseries comprised of material created by or about Will Eisner. It
includes correspondence, documentation of his employment at the Rand Corporation and
SRI, personal writings on his experiences with psychotherapy, and documents related to
his estate.
A second subseries contains materials related to a year-long trip taken by Will and
Betty Eisner in 1948 and 1949. Destinations included Europe, India, and Egypt. During
this trip, letters that Betty ostensibly wrote to her family were published as a
Los Angeles Times column titled "Travel Letter from Betty."
Included in this series are complete manuscripts for these columns and a scrapbook with
newspaper clippings of the published column. There are also letters from Will Eisner to
his family while abroad, correspondence documenting a dispute over money that was seized
from the Eisners at the Indian border, and Betty's correspondence with met while
traveling.
Arrangement
Files are arranged alphabetically within each subseries.
box 1, folder 1
Advertisement for illuminated darning egg invented and sold by Betty and Will
Eisner
1946
box 1, folder 2
Correspondence re: attempt to purchase a Studebaker
1947
box 1, folder 3
Correspondence with Eisner family [1 of 3]
1957-1973
box 1, folder 4
Correspondence with Eisner family [2 of 3]
1957-1973
box 1, folder 5
Correspondence with Eisner family [3 of 3]
1957-1973
box 1, folder 6
Correspondence re: separation and Will's illness [1 of 2]
1963-1964
box 1, folder 7
Correspondence re: separation and Will's illness [2 of 2]
1963-1964
box 1, folder 8
Correspondence re: Will's illness
1964
box 1, folder 9
Correspondence, condolence letters re: Will's death [1 of 2]
1965-1966
box 1, folder 10
Correspondence, condolence letters re: Will's death [2 of 2]
1965-1966
box 1, folder 11
Mexico investments
1965-1966
box 1, folder 12
Personal writing, diary re: relationship with Will
1961
box 2, folder 1
Personal writing, dreams [1 of 2]
1947-1952
box 2, folder 2
Personal writing, dreams [2 of 2]
1947-1952
box 2, folder 3
Personal writing, free association
1946
box 2, folder 4
Personal writing, free associaion (24 hour association)
1947 August 9
box 2, folder 5
Personal writing, free associaion
1951-1955
box 2, folder 6
Personal writing, UCLA workshop
1987
box 2, folder 7
Promotional material for "song poetry" performance by Eisner (as Abigail
Bradbury) and Charlotte Lancaster
undated
box 2, folder 8
Psychological tests, Will and Betty
1947-1951, undated
box 2, folder 10
Rorschach test, Helen W. Grover (mother of Betty)
1950
box 2, folder 11
Scrapbook of
Stanford Daily clippings
circa 1933-1937
box 2, folder 12
Songwriting, copyright registration forms plus index cards with song
titles
1971-1979
box 3, folder 1
Correspondence, incoming
1947-1963
box 3, folder 2
Eisner, Milton (Will's father), death
1960
box 3, folder 3
Employment at Rand and SRI
1959-1963, undated
box 3, folder 4
Estate (1 of 2)
1959-1967
box 3, folder 5
Estate (2 of 2)
1959-1967
box 3, folder 6
Personal documents
1927-1965
box 3, folder 7
Writings on therapy
1949-1950, undated
box 4, folder 1
Correspondence from Will to family during trip [1 of 3]
1948-1949
box 4, folder 2
Correspondence from Will to family during trip [2 of 3]
1948-1949
box 4, folder 3
Correspondence from Will to family during trip [3 of 3]
1948-1949
box 4, folder 4
Correspondence re: money confiscated in India
1949-1951
box 4, folder 5
Correspondence with people met on world trip
1949-1967
box 4, folder 6
Correspondence, writing, and miscellaneous materials
1948-1949
box 4, folder 7
Newspaper column, correspondence about
1948-1949
box 4, folder 8
Newspaper column, manuscripts [1 of 2]
1948-1949
box 4, folder 9
Newspaper column, manuscripts [2 of 2]
1948-1949
box 4, folder 10
Newspaper column, scrapbook of
Los Angeles Times
clippings
1948-1949
Writing Series 2
1957-2002, undated
Series Description
The bulk of this series consists of journal articles, conference papers, and other
professional writing by Eisner. Most of these works have been published, although some
are unpublished manuscripts. There is also a copy of a manuscript for Eisner's book
The Unused Potential of Marriage and Sex (published
1970) and an unpublished manuscript based on Eisner's experiences with group therapy
titled
I Can't, You Can't, But We Can.
Later in life Eisner pursued creative writing and composed poetry under the name
Abigail Bradbury. Although there are no examples of her poetry in this series, there are
manuscripts of a series of fables, titled "New Fables for New Times," written by Eisner
in the early 1990s.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
box 5, folder 1
"Current Thinking on LSD Therapy" (with Sidney Cohen)
1957
box 5, folder 2
"Psychotherapy with Lysergic Acid Diethylamide" (written with Sidney
Cohen)
1958
box 5, folder 3
"Subjective Reports on Lysergic Acid Experiences... " (with Sidney Cohen and
Lionel Fischman)
1958
box 5, folder 4
"The Influence of LSD on Unconscious Activity"
1961
box 5, folder 6
"Some Psychological Differences Between Fertile and Infertile
Women"
1963
box 5, folder 7
"Notes on the Use of Drugs to Facilitate Group Psychotherapy"
1964
box 5, folder 8
"Psychedelics and People as Adjuncts to Psychotherapy"
1964
box 5, folder 9
"The Importance of the Non-Verbal"
1965
box 5, folder 10
The Unused Potential of Marriage and Sex, original manuscript [1 of
3]
1970
box 5, folder 11
The Unused Potential of Marriage and Sex, original manuscript [2 of
3]
1970
box 5, folder 12
The Unused Potential of Marriage and Sex, original manuscript [3 of
3]
1970
box 5, folder no folder
The Unused Potential of Marriage and Sex
1970
box 5, folder 13
"The Group as a Means and Matrix for Change"
1971
box 5, folder 14
See You To-Morrow, by the Children of Mexcales (words by Betty Eisner,
pictures by Les McCann)
1972
box 5, folder 15
"The Use of an Alpha Feedback Machine in a Therapeutic Problem Solving
Setting" (with Jonathan D. Melvin)
1972
box 5, folder 16
"The Two Faces of Man's Problem Today"
1974
box 5, folder 17
"Networking Provides Realtime Application Upgrade from TRT-11 to VMS" (with
Jonathan D. Melvin)
1987
box 5, folder 18
"New Fables for New Times," manuscripts and drafts [1 of 2]
circa 1987
box 6, folder 1
"New Fables for New Times," manuscripts and drafts [2 of 2]
circa 1987
box 6, folder 2
"New Fables for New Times," manuscripts and drafts [3 of 3]
circa 1987
box 6, folder 3
"Huaulta -- Place Where Eagles Are Born," manuscript and drafts
circa 1994
box 6, folder 4
"Physical and Psychical Loading," paper read at Society for Scientific
Exploration meeting
1995
box 6, folder 5
Response to Daniel J. Benor's comments on "loading" and "telesomatic
reactions"
1996
box 6, folder 6
"The Sick Role Versus the Dying Role," (written with Humphrey
Osmond)
1996
box 6, folder 7
"Body Work and Psychological Healing"
1997
box 6, folder 8
"Set, Setting, and Matrix"
1997
box 6, folder 9
Excerpt from Remembrance of LSD Therapy Past
2002
box 6, folder 10
I Can't, You Can't, But We Can, third draft (final?) [1 of 3]
undated
box 6, folder 11
I Can't, You Can't, But We Can, third draft (final?) [2 of 3]
undated
box 6, folder 12
I Can't, You Can't, But We Can, third draft (final?) [3 of 3]
undated
box 6, folder 13
Living in the Now, foreword, chapter 1, and appendix D
undated
box 6, folder 14
"Observations on Possible Order Within the Unconscious"
undated
box 6, folder 15
"Observations on the Psychotherapeutic Use of Ritalin"
undated
box 6, folder 16
"The Paradox of Carroll John Daly," manuscript and research material
(includes manuscript of a Daly short story)
undated
box 6, folder 17
"Parallel Experiences"
undated
Correspondence Series 3
1946-1998
Series Description
This series consists primarily of Eisner's professional correspondence. However, since
Eisner developed close friendships with many colleagues who shared her interest in LSD
and other drug research, much of the content is of a personal nature. Some files also
include clippings and other materials. Researchers should note the presence of
additional correspondence in other series, particularly in Series 1: Family Papers.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by last name of correspondent.
box 7, folder 1
Abramson, Harold
1957-1968, 1994
box 7, folder 2
Cohen, Sidney J. [1 of 2]
1967-1997, undated
box 7, folder 3
Cohen, Sidney J. [2 of 2]
1967-1997, undated
box 7, folder 4
Denber, Herman [1 of 3]
1957-1998
box 7, folder 5
Denber, Herman [2 of 3]
1957-1998
box 7, folder 6
Denber, Herman [3 of 3]
1957-1998
box 7, folder 9
Hoffman, Albert [1 of 2]
1976-1997
box 7, folder 10
Hoffman, Albert [2 of 2]
1976-1997
box 8, folder 1
Hubbard, Al
1957-1965, undated
box 8, folder 3
Krishnamurti, J. [1 of 3]
1946-1986
box 8, folder 4
Krishnamurti, J. [2 of 3]
1946-1986
box 8, folder 5
Krishnamurti, J. [3 of 3]
1946-1996
box 8, folder 6
Martin, Joyce
1957, 1963-1970
box 8, folder 7
Naranjo, Caludio
1965, 1981
box 8, folder 8
Nin, Anais, correspondence and clippings
1958-1992
box 8, folder 14
Osment, Humphrey
1961-1970
box 8, folder 9
Powers, Tom and Zip Riley
1957-1995
box 8, folder 10
Sandison, Ron and Margaret [1 of 3]
1958-1997
box 8, folder 11
Sandison, Ron and Margaret [2 of 3]
1958-1997
box 8, folder 12
Sandison, Ron and Margaret [3 of 3]
1958-1997
box 8, folder 15
Miscellaneous correspondence
Legal files Series 4
1975-1994
Series Description
Files in this series relate to legal action against Eisner following a patient's death
in 1976. In addition to the wrongful death investigation that followed, Eisner faced an
ethics investigation by the California State Psychological Association and the American
Psychological Association, as well as an investigation and hearing before the Psychology
Examining Committee of the California Board of Medical Quality Assurance. As a result of
this investigation, her professional license was revoked in 1978. At Eisner's request,
relicensing hearings were held in 1980 and 1983. In both cases the Psychology Examining
Committee refused to restore her license. This series includes copies of legal
documents, correspondence, and other supporting material collected by Eisner.
Also included is one file on a small claims court case filed against a patient in
1973.
Arrangement
Files are arranged chronologically within each subseries.
Small claims court case
1973-1974
box 9, folder 1
Small claims court case against Karen Otte
1973-1974
Wrongful death investigation and lawsuits
1976-1984
box 9, folder 2
Inquest and wrongful death lawsuit [1 of 3]
1976-1984
box 9, folder 3
Inquest and wrongful death lawsuit [2 of 3]
1976-1984
box 9, folder 4
Inquest and wrongful death lawsuit [3 of 3]
1976-1984
box 9, folder 5
State of California et. al. v. Eisner, Declarations in Opposition to Motion
for Preliminary Injunction, 1977 [1 of 2]
1977
box 9, folder 6
State of California et. al. v. Eisner, Declarations in Opposition to Motion
for Preliminary Injunction, 1977 [2 of 2]
1977
box 9, folder 7
State of California et. al. v. Eisner, declarations of
witnesses
1977
box 9, folder 8
State of California et. al. v. Eisner, Objections and Motion to Strike
Proffered Evidence
1977
box 9, folder 9
State of California et. al. v. Eisner, other legal filings
1977
box 9, folder 10
Unsworn statement of Betty Eisner
1978
box 9, folder 11
Insurance company lawsuit [1 of 3]
1981-1984
box 9, folder 12
Insurance company lawsuit [2 of 3]
1981-1984
box 10, folder 1
Insurance company lawsuit [3 of 3]
1981-1984
box 10, folder 2
Insurance company lawsuit, Betty Eisner deposition
1982
box 10, folder 3
Insurance company lawsuit, William Raymond Micks deposition
1982
Board of Medical Quality Assurance hearings and license
revocation
1975-1994
box 17, folder 1
Accusation against Eisner
1977
box 10, folder 4
Board of Medical Quality Assurance hearing, background materials [1 of
2]
1975-1978, undated
box 10, folder 5
Board of Medical Quality Assurance hearing, background materials [2 of
2]
1975-1978, undated
box 10, folder 6
Affidavits given by Eisner patients to Board of Medical Quality
Assurance
1977
box 10, folder 7
Board of Medical Quality Assurance hearing, statements by Eisner and
patients [1 of 2]
1977
box 10, folder 8
Board of Medical Quality Assurance hearing, statements by Eisner and
patients [2 of 2]
1977
box 10, folder 9
Board of Medical Quality Assurance hearing, legal filings
1977-1978
box 10, folder 10
Board of Medical Quality Assurance decision against Eisner
1978
box 10, folder 11
Eisner v. Psychology Examining Committee, legal filings
1979
box 17, folder 2
Relicensing hearing, exhibits
1980
box 11, folder 1
Relicensing hearing, transcripts and decision
1980
box 11, folder 2
Relicensing attempt, affidavits and letters of support
1983
box 11, folder 3
Relicensing attempt, statements on behalf of Eisner
1983
box 11, folder 4
Petition for license restoration and correspondence re: hearing
1983-1984
box 11, folder 5
Relicensing hearing, transcript
1984
box 11, folder 6
Relicensing hearing, decision and follow-up
1984-1985
box 11, folder 7
Relicensing attempts, miscellaneous materials [1 of 2]
1979-1994
box 11, folder 8
Relicensing attempts, miscellaneous materials [2 of 2]
1979-1994
American Psychological Association and California State Psychological
Associtation ethics investigations
1976-1980
box 11, folder 9
American Psychological Association Committee Hearing [1 of 4]
1976-1979
box 11, folder 10
American Psychological Association Committee Hearing [2 of 4]
1976-1979
box 12, folder 1
American Psychological Association Committee Hearing [3 of 4]
1976-1979
box 12, folder 2
American Psychological Association Committee Hearing [4 of 4]
1976-1979
box 12, folder 3
American Psychological Association and California State Psychological
Association Ethics Investigations [1 of 4]
1977-1980
box 12, folder 4
American Psychological Association and California State Psychological
Association Ethics Investigations [2 of 4]
1977-1980
box 12, folder 5
American Psychological Association and California State Psychological
Association Ethics Investigations [3 of 4]
1977-1980
box 12, folder 6
American Psychological Association and California State Psychological
Association Ethics Investigations [4 of 4]
1977-1980
box 12, folder 7
Correspondence re: legal cases
1977-1979
box 12, folder 8
Miscellaneous papers re: legal cases
Therapy and research files Series 5
1946-1995, undated
Series Description
The bulk of this series consists of Eisner's detailed narrative accounts of therapy
sessions, the majority of which involved the use of LSD, ritalin, ketamine, and other
psychoactive drugs. Early session reports include descriptions of Eisner's own use of
these drugs; later, she focused on her experiences facilitating group therapy sessions
in which participants were given drugs in an attempt to break through psychological
barriers. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, these sessions increasingly incorporated
other non-mainstream therapies, including mineral baths, "blasting" (a technique in
which patients immersed in a mineral bath were encouraged to yell and scream while
muffled by a washcloth), and massage.
There is also a subseries related to Eisner's involvement with the Sequoia Seminar. The
Sequoia Seminar was established by Stanford University Law professor Harry Rathbun and
his wife, Emalia, in the 1930s. Its original goal was the study of historical records of
the life of Jesus in a non-religious context. Many of Betty Eisner's early LSD subjects
were Sequoia Seminar participants.
Arrangement
Arrangement varies by subseries.
Audio materials Series 6
1957-1972, undated
Series Description
Audio recordings, primarily of drug sessions conducted by Eisner in the late 1950s and
early 1960s. The recordings were not played back during processing.
Therapy sessions
Conditions Governing Access
box 18
Eisner, Betty, reading The Prophet 18.43
undated
Eisner, Betty, reading The Prophet: undated
Eisner, Betty, reading The Prophet: undated
Physical Description: 1 audiotape
reel(s)
box 18
Eisner, Betty, seminar 18.44
1972-05-14
Eisner, Betty, seminar: 1972 May 14
Physical Description: 1 audiotape
reel(s)
box 18
Eisner, Betty, talk at UCLA psychology seminar 18.42
1971-04-25
Eisner, Betty, talk at UCLA psychology seminar: 1971 Apr 25
Eisner, Betty, talk at UCLA psychology seminar: 1971 Apr 25
Physical Description: 1
audiocassette(s)
box 18
The Sacred Mushroom Chant, Ch. 11 18.25
1965-06-15
The Sacred Mushroom Chant, Ch. 11: 1965 Jun 15
The Sacred Mushroom Chant, Ch. 11: 1965 Jun 15
Physical Description: 1 audiotape
reel(s)
box 18
Arrowhead session (snow) 18.26
undated
Arrowhead session (snow): undated
Arrowhead session (snow): undated
Physical Description: 1 audiotape
reel(s)
box 18
Meetings at La Mesa following the talks by Krishnamurti 18.24
1972-03
Meetings at La Mesa following the talks by Krishnamurti: 1972 Mar
Meetings at La Mesa following the talks by Krishnamurti: 1972 Mar
Meetings at La Mesa following the talks by Krishnamurti: 1972 Mar
Meetings at La Mesa following the talks by Krishnamurti: 1972 Mar
Physical Description: 1 audiotape
reel(s)
box 18
Seminar on research on the mind at the Rand Corporation 18.27
1963-10-07
Seminar on research on the mind at the Rand Corporation: 1963 Oct 7
Seminar on research on the mind at the Rand Corporation: 1963 Oct 7
Physical Description: 1 audiotape
reel(s)
box 18
unlabeled tape 18.45
Physical Description: 1 audiotape
reel(s)
