NLP

What Is NLP ?

Well basically, NLP is a tool for change. Neuro Linguistic Programming is a great way of re-training the brain out of old habits and into new more fulfilling behaviours. Changing from a static (stuck) position to one where we can find movement somewhere, and progress on from there. We all from time to time get stuck in a rut if thinking this way or that way, and suffering because of our own ways how weve learned (wrongly) to deal with the situations life brings. Well that can be a problem if it starts to affect us in some way or other. For instance, if we feel like we are not progressing at work because we are not up to getting a promotion. That is a negative thought pattern that can have serious implications on lots of ther areas of our life.

NLP =Choices

We all have different patterns of behaviour, using the techniques below we can a) work out how someone has their problem, then b) find a way to install new behaviours or new/more choices . This is less confrontional than trying to change old habits. NLP, particularly when used in conjunction with hypnosis can help us to get out of thinking in these negative terms. It just seems to work so much better when used with hypnosis as opposed to a stand alone therapy. We can learn to re-frame old memories so that they dont seem to affect us as much as they used to. This also helps to make the problems shift from the unconscious to the conscious mind. The changes you can make in people using many varied techniques can be nothing short of amazing.

NLP is largely derived from Milton Erickson’s (and others work). Many of the techniques have roots in what he did many decades before Bandler & Grinder collated a great deal of work and NLP was borne from it. Some critics point out though, that in trying to decipher one code, they have in fact made another code which can seem equally difficult to understand. NLP techniques often help elicit more information than is recognised in a day to day state. Then, with this extra information we have more insight into waht to tackle as far as a problem goes.

What Are Its Uses?

Today NLP is used to some extent in many businesses, many coaching courses, even university courses of all types feature some NLP. Certain techniques are even employed in schools learning programs. Though it makes many claims, a lot of NLP has been proven not to work under scientific conditions. However, that does not account for the many therapists that see its usefulness every single day. Science just cannot explain consciousness, that is where our problems largely are and that is why science does not know everything.

In a therapy setting NLP has a wide range of uses. The fast rewind technique (often called a swish technique) is a great way to treat phobias. Apart from that, many therapists incorporate key elements of NLP into their everyday therapy. Rapport is key to any successful therapeutic intervention. NLP defines many other different models of treatment such as parts integration, submodalities, assessing the persons view of the world and even entering into their world as a client see’s it can help furnish change.

How To Use NLP

Rapport

is necessaryfor any meaningful change to occur. The meta model is a way of eliciting more information until both the therapist and client see what the real issues are and not necessarily what was previously thought to be the issue. The Milton model is almost the opposite, it is about being ‘artfully vague’ and is only really used in a hypnosis session. The MIlton model is an art form that can take many years to learn really well.

How we recall memories, or how we react to certain stimuli can sometimes be observed watching a clients eye movements. This is certainly not 100% accurate but often the eye accessing cues chart can give indicators into what a more experienced therapist can do to help enable change in a client. These are known as PRS – preferred representational systems. For instance, a visually oriented person might often be quite tall and slim, breathing high in the chest area. If these people are given tasks that are primarily visually oriented this can save a lot of time in the change of clients which is of course ethically correct too.

Predicates

Are the types of words often used under the PRS. They usually fall into categories of

-visual : I see, take a peek, paint a picture

-kinesthetic : feel, catch on, make contact

-auditory : hear, silence, make music

Listening to the types of words used then using similar phrases when replying can improve rapport.

Reframing

This can be a great way to help release the emotional attachment clients have to a particular memory or event. To help the client see this in a different light can take a large chunk out of the presenting problem. Reframing can be used in a thousand different ways to help the client get from where they are now (with the problem) to a future point. This might not sound like much, but experience shows that this small movement can be the beginning of the end for a problem.

A few books for suggested reading are below. There are 100′s of books on the subject. We feel these are a good introduction.

Bandler, R., Grinder, J. (1979) Frogs into Princes: Neuro Linguistic Programming.

Bandler, R., Grinder, J. (1981 ) Trance-formations: Neuro linguistic Programming and the structure of hypnosis.

Dilts, R (1990) Changing belief systems with NLP

NLP