Alternative content

 NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING (NLP)

What is it?
DEFINITION AND EXPLANATION OF NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) encompasses three influential components of human experience: neurology, language and programming. The neurologic processes determine the body’s function, language influences our ability to interact with others, and programming influences our conceptions of the world. Thus, Neuro-Linguistic Programming depicts the basic interplay between the mind (neuro) and language (linguistic) and how this interaction influences our physical selves and our behaviors (programming).

What is it used for?
WHAT NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING IS USED FOR
NLP is based on finding out what works and formalizing it. It pragmatically addresses the many levels involved in being human. NLP provides mechanisms to allow individuals to achieve their own personal excellence, but also helps individuals develop new ideologies of what it means to be a human being, what communication is, and illumination of the process of change.  NLP is not only used in therapy, but has also been extensively utilized in the areas of corporate communication, executive coaching, seminars, and management training.

Where did it come from?
HISTORY OF NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING
NLP evolved and was co-created by Richard Bandler and John Grinder during the early and mid '70s at the University of California Santa Cruz.  Bandler was a student of mathematics and psychology, and had begun studying the work of Gestalt therapy founder Fritz Perls when he was asked to edit transcripts of Perls' lectures and workshops for the book "Eyewitness to Therapy" (1973.)  He was also working with family therapist Virginia Satir.

Bandler ran a gestalt therapy group and invited Grinder, a university linguist, to observe it.  He wanted to see if it was possible to develop a syntax of behavior similar to what some linguists had done earlier for cultural anthropology.  What Grinder noticed was that in his group, Bandler was applying certain principles of linguistics comparable to "General Semantics" (reactions of the whole human organism in its environment to an event in respect to that event's meaning.)

Bandler and Grinder teamed with therapists Fritz Perls and Virginia Satir to analyze therapeutic groups and noted that individuals within the groups used similar linguistic patterns. In 1974 Bandler and Grinder began to make a model of the language patterns used by Perls, Satir and hypnotherapist Milton H. Erickson, which they published in their books "The Structure of Magic Volumes I & II" (1975, 1976), "Patterns of the Hypnotic Techniques of Milton H. Erickson, Volumes I & II" (1975, 1977) and "Changing With Families" (1976). These books formed the foundation of the field of Neuro-Linguistic Programming.

What is it based on?
THEORY OF NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING
The system of NLP was developed as an investigation of why particular psychotherapists were so effective with their patients. Bandler and Grinder began observing and categorizing the actions of these therapists in an effort to generate a theory of interpersonal influence.  Thus, NLP attempts to teach clients to observe others, make deductions, and then form responses.

Grinder and Bandler discovered that certain aspects are present in highly successful therapists, executives, and sales representatives:

- They engage in proactive activities and are wiling to consider numerous actions to reach specific goals, rather than relying on rigid beliefs.

- They are flexible in approach and try not to be tied down to using their skills in any one fixed way of thinking or working.

- They are aware of the non-verbal feedback and respond to it, usually in kind rather than by analyzing it.

- They enjoy the challenges of difficult clients, seeing them as a chance to learn rather than a "problem"

- They respect the client as someone doing the best they know how.

- They have certain common skills and things they are aware of and notice, and are intuitively "wired in."

- They work with precision, purpose, and skill.

- They keep trying different approaches until they learn enough about the structure, holding a problem in place to change it.

Bandler and Grinder used this information to identify several world-view models with the goal of quickly and effectively change limiting thoughts, behaviors and beliefs.  Some theories include the Meta-Model, Sensory Acuity, Milton-Model, and Metaprograms. 

How is it done?
WHAT IS A SESSION OF NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING LIKE?
A typical session lasts from one to two hours.  Generally, the client and practitioner are seated comfortably in facing chairs. The client then starts the session by revealing a specific challenge he wishes to address.  They generally focus on what the client would rather have instead of this problem.

The rest of the session will involve the practitioner leading the client in NLP-based mental exercises to help harness the power of their subconscious mind. NLP does not dwell on what the client is thinking, rather examining the client’s thought processes instead.  NLP pre-supposes that results come by focusing on how to get to the desired destination rather than focusing on one's past.

The NLP therapist doesn’t offer his or her own judgment, advice or recommendations to the client. Instead, the changes to be made will be chosen solely by the client's conscious and subconscious mind.  It isn't generally necessary for the client to divulge the specific content of their memories.

Who does it?
NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING PRACTITIONERS
Neuro-Linguistic Programming training is widely available through many sources, including workshops and classes with the original founders.  Designations of "practitioner" and "master practitioner" are bestowed by individual training programs and reflect the requirements of that facility only.  State or medical licensure is not necessary to practice as an NLP practitioner.